Hyon Gyong Kang was the star of the show on day three of the 2024 IWF World Cup, which is taking place from March 31st – April 11th, in Phuket, Thailand. The North Korean weightlifter proved to be unbeatable in the 55-kilogram weight class, managing to set new Clean & Jerk and Total World Records.
Hyon Gyong Kang’s 2024 IWF World Cup Performance Overview
Snatch
Hyong Gyong Kang is known for being equally good in both events. So, it wasn’t a surprise to see her dominate everyone in the first competition, managing to build up to a Snatch of 103 kilograms (227 pounds) on her final attempt.
Although this was not the best Snatch she has ever performed, Hyong’s 103-kilogram (227 pounds) lift was just 1-kilogram (2.2 pounds) shy of the U55KG World Record which she also holds.
- 96 kilograms (211.6 pounds)
- 101 kilograms (222.7 pounds)
- 103 kilograms (227 pounds)
Clean & Jerk
Moving on to the Clean & Jerk, Hyon Gyong Kang was ready to secure her overall victory. So, she immediately decided to lift 120 kilograms (264.6 pounds), which was more than enough for her to achieve that.
So, with her remaining attempts, Hyon Gyong Kang had the opportunity to break the U55KG Clean & Jerk World Record. In order to do so, Hyon loaded 131 kilograms (288.8 pounds) on the barbell, which came out to 2.4x her bodyweight. Hyon wore a lifting belt, a pair of knee sleeves, and wrist wraps to achieve her lift. She performed each portion of the lift quite smoothly, especially considering that it was a new World Record.
Hyon Gyong Kang was satisfied with her 131-kilogram (288.8 pounds) Clean & Jerk, and thus decided not to even try lifting more weight on her final attempt.
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- 120 kilograms (264.6 pounds)
- 131 kilograms (288.8 pounds) – U55KG World Record
- Did Not Attempt
*Hyon Gyong Kang held the old U55KG Clean & Jerk World Record of 130 kilograms (286.6 pounds), which she set at the 2023 Asian Games.
Total — 234 kilograms (515.9 pounds) — U55KG World Record
Once both her Snatch and Clean & Jerk were combined, Hyon Gyong Kang also broke the U55KG Total World Record. In other words, she improved her former World Record, which stood at 233 kilograms (513.7 pounds) from the 2023 Asian Games.
Hyon Gyong Kang also managed to win the U55KG weight class with a humongous margin of 33 kilograms (72.8 pounds).
Watch the Clean & Jerk here:
The 2024 IWF World Cup is proving to be a gathering of the greatest weightlifters on earth, but even the best of those in the U55KG weight class could not stop Hyon Gyong Kang. She is just stepping away from her rivals with each competition that she takes part in. The fact that she broke two World Records, and did not even use up all of her attempts, is impressive, to say the least. So, Hyon will certainly push these records even further in future competitions.
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