Zhao Jinhong is one of Team China’s greatest assets at the 2024 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, which are taking place from December 6-15 in Manama, Bahrain. Zhao was the one who stole the spotlight on the first day of competition. She competed in the 45-kilogram weight class and ended up taking the title. Moreover, Zhao set new Clean & Jerk and Total World Records.
Zhao Jinhong’s Full Performance Overview
Snatch
Zhao Jinhong is known as one of the most well-rounded weightlifters in the world, being equally proficient in both events. So, a high-level performance on the snatch was pretty much a guarantee. However, Zhao first decided to test the water, opening up with a smooth 83-kilogram (183-pound) snatch.
Once she had something to fall back on, Zhao Jinhong decided to go for 87 kilograms (191.8 pounds) on her second attempt. She was once again successful, thus equaling the U45KG Snatch World Record. Zhao wanted to break the record on her third attempt by adding 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), but was unfortunately unsuccessful.
Regardless of missing out on the record, Zhao Jinhong still made a massive step toward becoming the world champion. She developed a 1-kilogram (2.2-pound) over Won Hyon-sim, who is exceptional on the snatch.
- 83 kilograms (183 pounds)
- 87 kilograms (191.8 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 88 kilograms (194 pounds)
Clean & Jerk
Moving on to the Clean & Jerk, Zhao Jinhong knew that it was all up to her to wrap up the charge for the title. So, she opened up with a huge 105-kilogram (231.5-pound) lift, one that no other competitor would exceed throughout their three attempts.
Although no other athlete could match Zhao Jinhong’s Clean & Jerk skill, she was still far from her one-rep-max. In turn, on her second attempt, Zhao loaded 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds) to chip the U45KG Clean & Jerk World Record by 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds).
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That was not the end of Zhao Jinhong’s spectacular display, as she had one attempt remaining. She made a massive 3-kilogram (6.6-pound) jump, which made everyone excited. Putting her impeccable technique on display once again, Zhao managed to complete the lift and finalize the World Record.
- 105 kilograms (231.5 pounds)
- 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds)
- 113 kilograms (249.1 pounds) — U45KG World Record
*Won Hyon-sim held the previous U45KG Clean & Jerk World Record of 109 kilograms (240.3 pounds), which she set at the 2024 IWF World Cup.
Total — 200 kilograms (440.9 pounds) — U45KG World Record
Zhao Jinhong is now the first woman in the 45-kilogram weight class who managed to achieve a 200-kilogram (440.9-pound) Total. In doing so, she broke the former 196-kilogram (432.1-pound) World Record which Won Hyon-sim set at the 2024 IWF World Cup.
Watch Jinhong’s Clean & Jerk here:
Related: Karlos Nasar Lands Three Unofficial World Records in Prep for World Weightlifting Championships
It is important to note that Zhao Jinhong is still extremely young, being just 23-years-old at the time of the competition. So, seeing that she has already topped the leaderboards, it only sparks a question about how much more she will be able to achieve in the future. It is clear that she is already one of the greatest in the world, but the rate at which she is progressing also indicates that she might be one of the most dominant athletes in the sport.
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