Uzbekistan had the top team at the Asian Championships based on the IWF classification system, which rewards those with a large presence as well as the best performers.
The hosts were top of the men’s classification, second in the women’s and top overall. Although DPR Korea won 11 gold medals they were absent in nine of the weight categories, which leads to minus points in the IWF calculations.
Korea had four champions in a team of 18 and finished first in the women’s list, second in the men’s and second overall. The only other nation with more than one continental title was Uzbekistan, who also had one of the top individual performers in Akbar Djuraev.
Rahmat Erwin from Indonesia, a world record breaker here who is clear at the top of the Olympic 73kg rankings, was top individual man. The women’s award went to Ri Song Gum of PRK, who set two of her nation’s six world records here at 49kg, in clean and jerk and total.
The host nation also drew praise from IWF president Mohammed Jalood for successfully organising a competition that featured nine world records.
“I think no other continent will be able to match that,” said Jalood. “Asia is the strongest continent, and Uzbekistan is a very good host. Many times they have done very well when they host World Championships and Asian Championships.”
