Weightlifting is one of the oldest sports disciplines, with historical records dating back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Greek civilizations, where physical strength was celebrated and tested by lifting heavy objects. In this article, you’ll learn more about this sport, as well as meet the biggest names in weightlifting today!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in weightlifting today are!
Biggest names in Weightlifting today: historical context
Weightlifting had its origins as a simple way of determining a person’s strength.
However, the sport that would become Olympic also served other purposes.
Around 1,100 BC, the Chinese used weightlifting to select new soldiers for the army, requiring candidates to lift various weights as a prerequisite for acceptance.
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Although weightlifting was not included as a sport in the Ancient Greek Games, it was already practiced at the time, mainly as preparation for other disciplines.
The first school of weightlifting only appeared in the 19th century in Austria. Before that, the practice had become popular as a circus performance in Europe and the United States.
In 1887, there are records of weightlifting competitions held in Austria. Federations began to form, initially in France and Russia, shaping the sport as we know it.
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In 1891, the first World Weightlifting Championships were held, with seven athletes from six different countries taking part.
Weightlifting has been included in the Olympic program since the beginning of the modern era.
At the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, the competitions were not yet divided into weight categories, which only happened for the first time at the Games in Antwerp in 1920.
Women only began competing in Olympic weightlifting at the Sydney Games in 2000.
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Biggest names in Weightlifting today: rules
Weightlifting competitions are divided into bodyweight categories and consist of two main movements: the snatch and the throw.
Snatch
The athlete must lift the bar from the floor to above their head in one continuous movement, with their arms outstretched.
Clean and Jerk
This is a movement made up of two phases. In the first phase (clean), the athlete lifts the bar from the floor to their shoulders.
In the second phase (jerk), they lift the bar from their shoulders to above their head, with their arms outstretched.
Each competitor has three attempts at each movement, and the best mark for each movement is added together to determine the total score.
Athletes are ranked based on this total score.
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Timing
The lifters have one minute to start lifting after being called to the stage.
Weights
The barbell and discs have standardized weights, and lifters must wear uniforms approved by the international federation.
Failure
A lift is considered a failure if the athlete fails to complete the movement correctly or loses control of the bar.
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Biggest names in Weightlifting today: curiosities
Controversial decisions
Weightlifting has some notable cases of medals decided by peculiar details.
At the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896, Denmark’s Viggo Jensen won the gold medal in a curious way. Jensen and Britain’s Launceston Elliot both lifted 111.5 kg, but the judges chose Jensen as the winner because of his lifting style, which was considered superior.
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Elliot, however, secured his rematch in the one-handed lifting event, lifting 71 kg against Jensen’s 57 kg, and thus won the gold medal, leaving Jensen with the silver.
At the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, which were the first to include weight divisions, there was another unusual decision.
Italy’s Pietro Bianchi and Sweden’s Albert Pettersson tied in the middleweight category, each lifting a total of 235 kg.
The tiebreaker criterion was a draw, which favored Bianchi, guaranteeing him the silver medal.
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The Golden Hair
The 1956 Melbourne Olympics presented a dramatic episode for American weightlifter Charles Vinci, competing in the rooster category.
Shortly before the official weigh-in, Vinci was 680 grams over the category limit. After an hour of intense running, he was still 212 grams over the allowed weight.
In a last-ditch effort to compete, Vinci cut off all his hair and managed to stay within the weight limit.
Not only did he take part in the competition, but he also won the gold medal and broke the world record of the time by lifting a total of 342.5 kg.
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Biggest names in Weightlifting today (Male – World)
Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia)
Considered one of the greatest weightlifters of all time, Talakhadze is the current world and Olympic record holder in the snatch, throw and total categories, in the over 109 kg category.
Shi Zhiyong (China)
Olympic and world champion, Shi is one of the leading names in the 73 kg category, known for his impeccable technique and extraordinary strength.
Biggest names in Weightlifting today (Female – World)
Kuo Hsing-Chun (Taiwan)
One of the most dominant athletes in the up to 59 kg category, Kuo is a world and Olympic champion and holds several world records.
Loredana Toma (Romania)
A standout in the 64 kg category, Toma has won world and European titles and is one of the favorites in any competition she takes part in.
Biggest names in Weightlifting today (Male – Brazil)
Fernando Reis
The main name in Brazilian weightlifting, Fernando is a Pan American multi-champion and holds several South American records in the over 105 kg category.
Biggest names in Weightlifting today (Female – Brazil)
Jaqueline Ferreira
One of Brazil’s leading weightlifters, Jaqueline has represented the country in several international competitions, including the Olympic Games, and has won medals at Pan American championships.
Which weightlifters are most likely to win medals at Paris 2024?
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, several weightlifting athletes are strong candidates to win medals.
Male
- Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia): dominant in the +109 kg category, he is one of the biggest names in the sport, known for breaking world records and with high hopes of surpassing the 500 kg mark.
- Shi Zhiyong (China): competing in the 73 kg category, he is another prominent name with a history of victories and world records.
- Li Fabin (China): in the 61kg category, he is known for his solid performance and impeccable technique.
Female
- Li Wenwen (China): competing in the +87 kg category, she is one of the favorites, especially after her achievements in Tokyo.
- Hidilyn Diaz (Philippines): in the 55 kg category, she made history by winning the first gold medal for her country in Tokyo and is looking to repeat the feat in Paris.
- Neisi Dajomes (Ecuador): in the 76 kg category, she is also a strong competitor, having won the first women’s Olympic gold for Ecuador.
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