The first day of the 2024 IWF World Championships in Bahrain featured notable accomplishments in weightlifting. Brazil’s Thiago Felix earned the nation’s first senior Worlds medal with a silver at 55kg. Thailand’s Natthawat Chomchuen claimed gold with a total lift of 273kg, and China’s Zhao Jinhong set two world records in the 45kg category. Additionally, Cicely Kyle from the U.S. made an impressive showing in Masters weightlifting at the age of 40.
The opening day of the 2024 IWF World Championships in Bahrain witnessed impressive performances, including historic achievements for Brazil, gold for Thailand, and record-breaking feats from China’s Zhao Jinhong. Asian athletes claimed five out of six podium positions in total, with Brazil’s Thiago Felix securing a notable silver at 55kg, marking the nation’s first senior Worlds medal in this category. Thailand’s Natthawat Chomchuen dominated the competition with a total lift of 273kg, significantly improving his prior performance at the previous World Championships.
Zhao Jinhong of China excelled in the women’s 45kg category by breaking world records, demonstrating remarkable strength. This category will be discontinued after June 2024, making Zhao’s achievements even more noteworthy. Despite a challenge from the defending champion from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Zhao set new records in clean and jerk and total, finishing with an impressive 200kg.
Additionally, Cicely Kyle from the United States showcased her prowess in Masters weightlifting, narrowly missing an American clean and jerk record. Her participation at age 40 highlights the impressive longevity in the sport. Overall, the first day of the championships not only highlighted the rising talents in weightlifting but also significant improvements from historically competitive nations, enhancing the global nature of the event.
The 2024 IWF World Championships serves as a prominent platform for weightlifters worldwide, showcasing emerging talents and historical performances. Athletes from various nations competed in diverse weight categories, with Asian countries demonstrating particularly strong showings. The championships are critical as they not only provide athletes with exposure on an international level but also serve as a precursor to subsequent competitions such as the Pan American Championships. The event is especially significant given the imminent changes to weight categories, which will transition from ten categories to eight, prompting strategic shifts within national teams.
In summary, the inaugural day of the 2024 IWF World Championships in Bahrain proved to be a momentous occasion marked by exceptional performances. Brazil celebrated its first medal at a senior Worlds level through Thiago Felix, while Thailand’s Natthawat Chomchuen set a new benchmark for performance in the 55kg category. Zhao Jinhong’s extraordinary achievements in her weight class emphasized her potential impact on future events, especially given the forthcoming changes in categories, underscoring the dynamic nature of competitive weightlifting.
Original Source: iwf.sport
