As the world gears up for the 2023 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, the spotlight is set to shine on a blend of seasoned titans and emerging talents in the weightlifting arena.
Scheduled to take place from September 4-17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this championship is not just another international event; it’s the inaugural milestone in the qualification cycle for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
From Ritvars Suharevs’ anticipated comeback to Lasha Talakhadze’s quest for a seventh World title, the stage is set for a showdown that promises to be both thrilling and historic.
Let’s start with the men’s side of competition.
Men’s Categories:
Ritvars Suharevs (M73KG, LAT)
- Recent Performance: Made a strong comeback in the European circuit after recovering from dual shoulder surgery.
- Outlook: Expected to challenge for a top position in his weight category at the 2023 WWC.
Varazdat Lalayan (M+109KG, ARM)
- Recent Performance: Has been closing the gap with Lasha Talakhadze in the superheavyweight category.
- Outlook: A strong contender for dethroning Talakhadze this year.
Lasha Talakhadze (M+109KG, GEO)
- Recent Performance: Holds the highest entry Total for the 2023 WWC.
- Outlook: Expected to win his seventh World title.
Related: All of Lasha Talakhadze’s World and Olympic Records (2016-2023)
Antonino Pizzolato (M89KG, ITA)
- Recent Performance: Set world records in 2022 and won gold at the European Championships.
- Outlook: Aiming to reclaim his place in the record books.
Hampton Morris (M61KG, USA)
- Recent Performance: At just 19, he is considered the most promising male athlete from the USA in a long time.
- Outlook: Expected to make a strong impression at the 2023 WWC.
Karlos Nasar (M89KG, BUL)
- Recent Performance: Won silver at the 2022 World Championships.
- Outlook: A competitor to watch, especially in head-to-head matchups.
Women’s Categories:
All Women in the Women’s 71KG
- Recent Performance: Features strong competitors like Angie Palacios Dajomes and Liao Guifang, who have recently broken world records.
- Outlook: Highly competitive category with multiple potential medalists.
Kamila Konotop (W59KG, UKR)
- Recent Performance: Rapid progress in recent years, becoming one of the fastest rising stars in weightlifting.
- Outlook: Expected to challenge for a medal at the 2023 WWC.
Team North Korea
- Recent Performance: Returning after a multi-year hiatus.
- Outlook: Expected to make a strong statement at the championships.
Mihaela Cambei (W49KG, ROU)
- Recent Performance: Won gold at the 2023 European Championships in Yerevan, Armenia.
- Outlook: One of the top contenders in her weight category.
Loredana Toma (W71KG, ROU)
- Recent Performance: Won gold at the 2022 European Championships.
- Outlook: A favorite in her weight category and expected to challenge for a medal.
Related: 5 Interesting Facts About Romanian Weightlifter Loredana Toma
Mattie Rogers (W81KG, USA)
- Recent Performance: Holds multiple national records and has a strong track record in international competitions.
- Outlook: A strong contender for a medal at the 2023 WWC.
Related: Who is USA Weightlifter Mattie Rogers? Olympic Athlete and Social Media Star
Giulia Miserendino (W71KG, ITA)
- Recent Performance: Won bronze at the 2023 European Championships.
- Outlook: A rising star expected to make an impact at the 2023 WWC.
Giulia Imperio (W49KG, ITA)
- Recent Performance: Won silver at the 2023 European Championships in Yerevan, Armenia.
- Outlook: A strong contender in her weight category, expected to challenge for a medal.
Related: Who is Giulia Imperio? Italian Weightlifter and European Champion
Things We’ll Be Watching For
- Will Ritvars Suharevs’ comeback be strong enough to secure a top position in his weight category?
- Can Varazdat Lalayan finally dethrone Lasha Talakhadze this year?
- How will Antonino Pizzolato perform, given that he has abstained from international competition for a while?
The 2023 World Weightlifting Championships begin in less than a week and we will finally get to see who the Kings and Queens of the year turn out to be.
No doubt we will be paying the most attention to the women’s 49kg, 71kg, and 81kg as well as the men’s 89kg and +109kg categories.
You must be logged in to post a comment.