GANDHINAGAR, INDIA — The 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships opened with a historic performance at the Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre. On a day defined by a world-record lift and elite tactical maneuvering, the opening sessions highlighted the immense depth and quality currently present in Asian weightlifting.
World-Class Organization and Facilities
Visitors and participating delegations have noted the high standard of organization provided by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). From the moment of arrival, teams were welcomed at the airport and provided with seamless transportation to their accommodations.
The competition facilities at the Mahatma Mandir meet the highest international standards. Notably, the event features Eleiko equipment—the same supplier designated for the 2028 Olympic Games—ensuring that athletes are competing on a platform of the highest technical quality.
Women’s 48kg: A Strategic Duel
The opening session was a masterclass in strategy, dominated by a head-to-head battle between teammates from Chinese Taipei.
Fang Wan-Ling (TPE)
Fang Wan-Ling established an early lead in the snatch, successfully lifting 84 kg. However, the competition was decided in the clean & jerk by Huang Yi-Chen.
Trailing by 3 kg after the snatch, Huang surged ahead with a clinical 112 kg clean & jerk, bringing her total to 193 kg. The lift was enough to secure the gold medal by just a single kilogram over Fang, who took silver with a 192 kg total. Host nation hero Komal Kohar (IND) thrilled the home crowd by securing the bronze with a total of 177 kg.
To provide context for the level of competition, the 193 kg winning total in Gandhinagar represents a significant benchmark for the category, as the recent European Championships gold was secured with a total of 176 kg.
Huang Yi-Chen (TPE)
Men’s 60kg: Pang Un Chol Rewrites the Record Books
The evening session shifted from tactical maneuvering to sheer, historic power. DPR Korea’s Pang Un Chol delivered a performance that immediately becomes a highlight of the 2026 season.
After a strong 130 kg snatch, Pang turned his focus to the clean & jerk world record. On his final attempt, he successfully hoisted 174 kg, shattering both the Asian and World Records. His total of 304 kg placed him 27 kg ahead of his nearest competitor.
The podium was completed by Malaysia’s Mohamad Aniq Bin Kasdan, who took silver with 277 kg, and Vietnam’s Lai Gia Thanh, who claimed bronze with 267 kg. This performance stands as the premier global mark for the year, as the 304 kg total surpassed the 275 kg winning total from the recent European Championships.
Pang Un Chol (PRK)
Upcoming Schedule
Following this explosive opening day, the competition will pause tomorrow, May 12, to allow for the AWF Congress and the official Opening Ceremony.
The action is set to continue after tomorrow, with lifting resuming on Wednesday, May 13, featuring the Women’s 53kg, Men’s 65kg, and Women’s 58kg categories.
