Weightlifting is a sport that requires strength, dedication and a refined technique. Over the years, many women have excelled in this sport, winning world titles, Olympic medals and breaking records.
That’s why we’ve decided to pay tribute to the 20 best female weightlifters of all time, highlighting their achievements, trajectories and curiosities!
Each of these athletes not only demonstrated great skills and determination, but also paved the way for future generations in the sport. Getting to know these women is essential to understanding the evolution of the sport and the importance of women’s role in weightlifting.
So let’s explore the career of each of the best female weightlifters of all time?
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The 20 best female weightlifters of all time: complete list
- Lidia Valentín
- Tatiana Kashirina
- Chen Yanqing
- Nadezhda Evstyukhina
- Rim Jong-sim
- Li Xueying
- Iryna Kulesha
- Meng Suping
- Svetlana Podobedova
- Zhou Lulu
- Kuo Hsing-Chun
- Liu Chunhong
- Marina Shainova
- Anni Vuohijoki
- Janeth Gómez
- Hidilyn Diaz
- Tima Turieva
- Boyanka Kostova
- Raema Lisa Rumbewas
- Oxana Slivenko
The 20 best female weightlifters of all time: find out more about them
1. Lidia Valentín
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2012, 2016), World Champion (2017, 2018), European Champion (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
- Team: Spanish national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Won Olympic gold after other athletes were disqualified for doping.
- Life story: Born in Ponferrada, Spain, she started weightlifting at the age of 11 and became one of the sport’s greatest athletes.
2. Tatiana Kashirina
- Titles: World Champion (2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018), Olympic Medalist (2012)
- Team: Russian national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Holder of several world records in the super-heavyweight category.
- Life story: Tatiana was born in Noginsk, Russia, and from a young age showed exceptional talent in weightlifting, quickly rising to international competitions.
3. Chen Yanqing
- Titles: Two-time Olympic Champion (2004, 2008), World Champion (2006, 2007)
- Team: Chinese National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: First woman to win two consecutive Olympic titles in weightlifting.
- Life story: Chen was born in Suzhou, China, and began training at the age of 11, becoming an icon in Chinese sport.
4. Nadezhda Evstyukhina
- Titles: World Champion (2009, 2011), Olympic Medalist (2008)
- Team: Russian national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Known for her consistency and strength in international competitions.
- Life story: Originally from Balashikha, Russia, Nadezhda began weightlifting as a teenager and quickly made a name for herself on the world stage.
5. Rim Jong-sim
- Titles: Two-time Olympic champion (2012, 2016), Asian champion (2012, 2013)
- Team: North Korean national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: One of the few athletes to win two Olympic gold medals in different categories.
- Life story: Rim was born in Pyongyang, North Korea, and her dedication to sport has made her a national hero.
6. Li Xueying
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2012), World Champion (2011)
- Team: Chinese National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: Holder of several world records and known for her impeccable technique.
- Life story: Li Xueying was born in Mianyang, China, and began weightlifting at the age of 12.
7. Iryna Kulesha
- Titles: Olympic Medalist (2008, 2012), European Champion (2010, 2012)
- Team: Belarus national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Known for her resilience and longevity in the sport.
- Life story: Iryna was born in Gomel, Belarus, and began her career in weightlifting in the early 2000s.
8. Meng Suping
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2016), World Champion (2015)
- Team: Chinese National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: Specialist in the super-heavyweight category, famous for her impressive strength.
- Life story: Meng was born in Ningbo, China, and from a young age stood out for her strength and weightlifting technique.
9. Svetlana Podobedova
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2012), World Champion (2011), European Champion (2009, 2010)
- Team: Kazakhstan national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: She competed for two different countries during her career (Russia and Kazakhstan).
- Life story: Born in Russia, Svetlana moved to Kazakhstan in 2007 and continued her successful career in weightlifting.
10. Zhou Lulu
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2012), World Champion (2011)
- Team: Chinese National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: He has broken several world records, including the highest total lifted in his category.
- Life story: Zhou was born in Yantai, China, and began weightlifting at the age of 14.
11. Kuo Hsing-Chun
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2020), World Champion (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Team: Taiwan National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: Known for her incredible technique and agility.
- Life story: Kuo was born in Yilan, Taiwan, and began her weightlifting career as a teenager.
12. Liu Chunhong
- Titles: Two-time Olympic Champion (2004, 2008), World Champion (2005, 2006)
- Team: Chinese National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: One of the few athletes to win two consecutive Olympic titles in the same category.
- Life story: Liu was born in Yantai, China, and excelled in sport from a young age, winning important titles.
13. Marina Shainova
- Titles: Olympic Medalist (2008), World Champion (2007), European Champion (2008, 2009)
- Team: Russian national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Known for her technique and strength in competition.
- Life story: Marina was born in Chernogorsk, Russia, and started weightlifting as a teenager.
14. Anni Vuohijoki
- Titles: European medalist, Olympic Games participant (2016)
- Team: Finnish national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: As well as being an athlete, she is a doctor and known for her activism in promoting sport.
- Life story: Born in Finland, Anni started weightlifting while studying medicine.
15. Janeth Gómez
- Titles: Pan American Medalist, Central American Champion
- Team: Mexican National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: One of Mexico’s leading weightlifting athletes.
- Life story: Janeth was born in Mexico and began her career in sport at a young age, representing the country in various international competitions.
16. Hidilyn Diaz
- Titles: Olympic Champion (2020), Olympic Medalist (2016), Asian Champion
- Team: Philippine National Weightlifting Team
- Fun facts: First female athlete from the Philippines to win an Olympic gold medal.
- Life story: Born in Zamboanga, Philippines, Hidilyn began weightlifting at the age of 11.
17. Tima Turieva
- Titles: World Champion (2013), European Champion (2013)
- Team: Russian national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Known for her refined technique and strength.
- Life story: Tima was born in Nalchik, Russia, and started weightlifting as a teenager.
18. Boyanka Kostova
- Titles: World Champion (2015), European Champion (2016)
- Team: Azeri national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Competed for Bulgaria and Azerbaijan during her career.
- Life story: Born in Bulgaria, Boyanka moved to Azerbaijan in search of new opportunities in sport.
19. Raema Lisa Rumbewas
- Titles: Olympic medalist (2000, 2004, 2008)
- Team: Indonesian national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: One of the few athletes to win three consecutive Olympic medals.
- Life story: Raema was born in Biak, Indonesia, and began her weightlifting career at a young age.
20. Oxana Slivenko
- Titles: World Champion (2006, 2007), Olympic Medalist (2008)
- Team: Russian national weightlifting team
- Fun facts: Holder of several world records in her category.
- Life story: Oxana was born in Zheleznogorsk, Russia, and started weightlifting at the age of 14.
The 20 best female weightlifters of all time: complete list
- Lidia Valentín
- Tatiana Kashirina
- Chen Yanqing
- Nadezhda Evstyukhina
- Rim Jong-sim
- Li Xueying
- Iryna Kulesha
- Meng Suping
- Svetlana Podobedova
- Zhou Lulu
- Kuo Hsing-Chun
- Liu Chunhong
- Marina Shainova
- Anni Vuohijoki
- Janeth Gómez
- Hidilyn Diaz
- Tima Turieva
- Boyanka Kostova
- Raema Lisa Rumbewas
- Oxana Slivenko
The 20 best female weightlifters of all time
The trajectory of these women in weightlifting demonstrates not only the evolution of the sport, but also the growing presence and importance of women in high-level competitions. They serve as an inspiration to new generations, showing that with dedication and perseverance it is possible to reach the top!
If you enjoyed finding out who the 20 best female weightlifters of all time are, then be sure to check out our other articles on the site about weightlifting and many other sports. Your comments are also very welcome!
