Alireza Yousefi is an Iranian super-heavyweight weightlifting phenom known for his exceptional power and technique. He recently competed at the 2026 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China, on November 8th, taking part in the men’s +110KG weight class. Representing his country in the highest weight category, Yousefi delivered a dominant display in the second half of the contest. Specifically, he broke the Clean & Jerk World Record by lifting 263 kilograms (579.8 pounds).
Alireza Yousefi opened his Clean & Jerk session with a successful lift at 253 kilograms (557.8 pounds), securing his position at the top of the event standings. On his second attempt, he stepped up to 258 kilograms (568.8 pounds) but failed to complete the lift, leaving the platform with one attempt remaining.
For his third and final attempt, Alireza Yousefi loaded an immense 263 kilograms (579.8 pounds) onto the bar. He drove the barbell overhead to complete the lift, officially breaking the +110KG IWF World Record. This was an incredibly important lift for Yousefi, as it secured him the silver medal in the final moments of the competition. Had he not succeeded in getting the weight above his head, he would have walked away from the competition a lot less satisfied.
*Alireza Yousefi held the previous Clean & Jerk record, having lifted 261 kilograms (575.4 pounds) at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships.
Watch the record-breaking Clean & Jerk here:
Alireza Yousefi’s Full Performance
Alireza Yousefi entered the 2026 IWF World Weightlifting Championships as one of the most explosive super-heavyweight lifters in the world. Weighing in at an official bodyweight of 191 kilograms (421.1 pounds), Yousefi completed five out of his six attempts during the competition. His only miss came on the second Clean & Jerk event, so it is safe to say that his overall score was close to what he planned going into the competition.
Despite finishing fourth in the Snatch segment with a 195-kilogram (429.9-pound) lift, Yousefi used his World Record 263-kilogram (579.8-pound) Clean & Jerk to launch himself onto the overall podium. He claimed the Total silver medal with a cumulative score of 458 kilograms (1,009.7 pounds), finishing eight kilograms behind gold medalist Ali Ammar of Iraq (466 kilograms total).
Snatch
- 186 kilograms (410.1 pounds)
- 191 kilograms (421.1 pounds)
- 195 kilograms (429.9 pounds)
Clean & Jerk
- 253 kilograms (557.8 pounds)
- Unsuccessful — 258 kilograms (568.8 pounds)
- 263 kilograms (579.8 pounds) — +110KG World Record
Total — 458 kilograms (1,009.7 pounds)
2026 IWF World Weightlifting Championships: Men’s +110KG Rankings
- Ali Ammar (IRQ): 466 kilograms (1,027.4 pounds)
- Alireza Yousefi (IRI): 458 kilograms (1,009.7 pounds)
- Varazdat Lalayan (ARM): 457 kilograms (1,007.5 pounds)
Related: Pyol Pak (U70KG) Sets Snatch and Total World Records at 2026 IWF World Weightlifting Championships
From a very young age Alireza Yousefi built a reputation as a prodigy in the super-heavyweight class. He won gold at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, won back-to-back World Junior Championship titles, and broke multiple Junior World Records. He is now making a successful transition to the Open class, where he is showcasing mind-blowing Clean & Jerk performances and consistently contending for major titles.
