China Shines at 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships with 31 Gold Medals
The 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships wrapped up in Quzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, on Thursday, with the host nation delivering a stellar performance. Chinese athletes clinched an impressive 31 gold, 15 silver, and 11 bronze medals, asserting their dominance in the sport.
World champion Li Yan capped off China’s golden run on the final day by sweeping all three golds in the women’s +87kg category. Facing strong competitors like Paris Olympic silver medalist Park Hye-jeong of South Korea, Li remained confident.
“The results might seem close on paper, but I knew I had the edge,” Li said after the competition.
In the snatch event, Li secured gold with her opening lift of 135kg and improved to 140kg on her second attempt, finishing 15kg ahead of Park, who lifted 125kg. South Korea’s Son Young-hee earned bronze with a lift of 121kg.
During the clean and jerk, Li successfully lifted 162kg and 170kg before opting out of her third attempt. Her total lift of 310kg guaranteed her a clean sweep of gold medals in snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight categories. Park took silver in total weight with 285kg and bronze in clean and jerk with 160kg, while Son claimed silver in clean and jerk with 161kg and bronze in total weight with 282kg.
In the men’s +109kg division, South Korea’s Hwang Woo-man secured the snatch gold with a lift of 196kg. Iran’s Ayat Sharifikelarijani claimed golds in clean and jerk with 227kg and total weight with 422kg.
The championships showcased remarkable talent across the continent and highlighted China’s prowess in weightlifting as they prepare for future international competitions.
