Doha: The Qatari capital on Saturday witnessed the launch of three major weightlifting events: the 10th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025, the Arab Weightlifting Championship for youth, juniors and seniors, and the West Asia Weightlifting Championship for the same age categories.
Strong Start in Men’s 60kg Category
The opening day featured the highly competitive men’s 60kg category.
Saudi lifter Aqeel Abdullah Al-Jassim delivered an outstanding performance, winning three gold medals after lifting 123kg in the snatch, 141kg in the clean and jerk, and achieving a total of 264kg.
His compatriot Mansour Abdulrahim Al-Sulaim claimed three silver medals with lifts of 115kg in the snatch, 140kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 255kg. Algerian lifter Chaabi Koussay secured three bronze medals after recording 95kg in the snatch, 115kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 210kg.
Youth and Junior Competitions Shine
In the youth 60kg division, Saudi lifter Mohammed Nawaf Al-Ajeen dominated the competition, capturing three gold medals with lifts of 107kg in the snatch, 130kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 237kg.
Algerian lifter Chaabi Koussay earned three silver medals, while Syrian lifter Najm Al-Din Khattab collected two bronze medals in the clean and jerk and total. Kuwaiti lifter Mohammed Humaid added a bronze medal in the snatch.
The junior competitions at the same weight saw identical podium results, with Al-Ajeen again securing three gold medals, followed by Koussay and Khattab, underscoring the depth of talent among the younger lifters.
Qatar International Cup Highlights
Within the Qatar International Cup, the men’s 60kg category mirrored the Arab and West Asia results. Aqeel Al-Jassim claimed three gold medals, Mansour Al-Sulaim took silver, and Syrian lifter Najm Al-Din Khattab secured bronze.
Officials Praise Qatar’s Organization
Executive Director of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation Zayed Mubarak Al-Khayareen said hosting the three championships simultaneously reflects Qatar’s strong organizational capabilities and the confidence it enjoys at Arab, Asian and international levels.
Saudi Weightlifting Federation President Mohammed Ahmed Al-Harbi praised Doha’s ability to host major events and credited Saudi Arabia’s strong results to sustained focus on youth development.
Meanwhile, Forrester Osei, Chair of the IWF Athletes’ Commission, lauded Qatar’s role in advancing weightlifting and aligning regional competitions with international standards.
