Hypothesis abounds. As of the date of this text’s publication, the 2024 Olympics are a mere 11 away. After three full years since weightlifters took to the stage in Tokyo, followers are wanting to see new information set, medals gained, and historical past made.
Which begs the query — who the heck goes to win the 2024 Olympics in weightlifting? In any case, the qualification pathway to Paris was significantly grueling; a sieve that separated the ten finest athletes in every weight class from the remainder of the world.
[Roster: Every Weightlifter Competing at the 2024 Olympics]
BarBend teamed up with Staff USA athlete and 2020 Olympian Caine Wilkes to determine who has one of the best possibilities of profitable gold in Paris this summer season. Listed below are our predictions, and keep tuned for BarBend’s dwell protection of all weight class occasions on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which formally begins on Jul. 26!
2024 Olympics Predictions | Males’s Weightlifting
Under, you’ll discover BarBend and Wilkes’ podium predictions for every Males’s weightlifting occasion on the 2024 Olympics, in addition to the finalized top-10 athlete roster printed by the Worldwide Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The athlete lists don’t embody weightlifters who certified for the summer season Video games through continental, refugee, or universality slots.
The notation under reads as “Athlete Identify (Nation): Highest qualification Whole”.
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Males’s 61-Kilogram
- Li Fabin (CHN): 314
- Hampton Morris (USA): 303
- Sergio Massidda (ITA): 302
- Eko Yuli Irawan (INA): 300
- John Ceniza (PHI): 300
- Theerapong Silachai (THA): 299
- Shota Mishvelidze (GEO): 298
- Bin Kasdan Mohamad Aniq (MAS): 296
- Trinh Van Vinh (VIE): 294
- Ivan Dimov (BUL): 293
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Li Fabin (CHN)
- Silver: Hampton Morris (USA)
- Bronze: Sergio Massidda (ITA)
“Because the defending Olympic Champion, Fabin is the clear favourite as a result of his qualification Whole,” says Wilkes. “Though it’s a good race for the remaining medals, Morris is my choose for silver. He’s actually hit his stride in the direction of the tip of this quad.”
Wilkes continues: “I count on Morris to hit an honest snatch that may set him up for an enormous clear & jerk in a while. Massidda has additionally been persistently enhancing over the quad and hit a 317-kilogram Whole just lately at a barely heavier physique weight.”
BarBend
- Gold: Li Fabin (CHN)
- Silver: Sergio Massidda (ITA)
- Bronze: Hampton Morris (USA)
We agree with Wilkes for probably the most half, however we’re truly a bit hotter on Italy’s Massidda. He’s made super progress in his clear & jerk in the previous few months, leaping from 162 to 172 kilograms between February and April whereas weighing round 65 kilos.
If he can retain that top-end energy whereas slicing to 61, he’s in nice form for silver because of his consistency in hitting mid-130-kilogram snatches.
Males’s 73-Kilogram
- Rizki Juniansyah (INA): 365
- Shi Zhiyong (CHN): 356
- Masanori Miyamoto (JPN): 350
- Weeraphon Wichuma (THA): 349
- Bozhidar Andreev (BUL): 348
- Bak Joohyo (KOR): 345
- Ritvars Suharevs (LAT): 341
- Muhammed Furkan Ozbek (TUR): 341
- Juli Mayora (VEN): 339
- Luis Mosquera (COL): 337
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Rizki Juniansyah (INA)
- Silver: Shi Zhiyong (CHN)
- Bronze: Masanori Miyamoto (JPN)
Wilkes thinks it’s “laborious to wager” towards Shi Zhiyong, however “Juniansyah shocked all people on the World Cup when he kicked his teammate, Rahmat Erwin Abdullah, off the leaderboard. I count on [Zhiyong] to be aggressive within the snatch however fall behind within the clear & jerk.”
“I see a three-way battle for the bronze medal,” says Wilkes. “Though Wichuma and Andreev look able to an enormous Whole, whose efficiency on the IWF World Cup gave him plenty of momentum going into the Olympics. This battle might come right down to sensible selections made within the again room by the athletes and their coaches.”
BarBend
- Gold: Rizki Juniansyah (INA)
- Silver: Shi Zhiyong (CHN)
- Bronze: Bozhidar Andreev (BUL)
We concur with Wilkes on the Zhiyong “scenario” — China’s powerhouse athlete has battled a slew of damaging accidents since earlier than his win in Tokyo. He’s seemed good in coaching, however doesn’t have the consistency within the clear & jerk that Juniansyah shows at or above 190 kilograms.
We like Andreev for bronze, although. Miyamoto had the meet of his life on the World Cup, however did not crack a 340 Whole at his three prior competitions. Andreev, in the meantime, has Totaled 348 and 349 at his final two meets, and is a notoriously fierce competitor. He’s driving a excessive from his home-turf win on the European Championships in Sofia, which ought to buoy his spirits heading into Paris.
Males’s 89-Kilogram
- Karlos Nasar (BUL): 396
- Yeison Lopez (COL): 392
- Keydomar Vallenilla Sanchez (VEN): 385
- Mir Mostafa Javadi (IRI): 384
- Karim Abokahla (EGY): 381
- Antonino Pizzolato (ITA): 380
- Marin Robu (MDA): 378
- Andranik Karapetyan (ARM): 377
- Yu Dongju (KOR): 375
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Karlos Nasar (BUL)
- Silver: Yeison Lopez (COL)
- Bronze: Keydomar Vallenilla-Sanchez (VEN)
“Nasar is the clear frontrunner and has been a prime contender all through the qualification interval,” Wilkes remarks. “Lopez might beat him within the snatch, however Nasar will simply overtake him within the clear & jerk after which some.”
BarBend
- Gold: Karlos Nasar (BUL)
- Silver: Yeison Lopez (COL)
- Bronze: Antonino Pizzolato (ITA)
As earlier than, we predict Wilkes is on the cash along with his gold and silver-medal predictions. Lopez rattled the board along with his return to worldwide weightlifting final yr, however so far lacks the uncooked energy required to wash & jerk greater than 210 kilograms — a weight Nasar will in all probability hit within the again room or on his opening try.
However for bronze, we’re going to exit on a limb and again Italy’s Pizzolato. Pizzolato was sizzling off a podium end in Tokyo when he set the inaugural world document within the clear & jerk as an 89-kilogram athlete.
He’s did not tempo with Nasar, Lopez, and China’s Li Dayin since mid-2022, however we additionally watched him valiantly and confidently clear 222 kilograms at this yr’s European Championships. If Pizzolato can snatch 175 kilograms or extra, he’ll place himself to make an enormous bounce within the second half of the session for a medal.
Males’s 102-Kilogram
- Liu Huanhua (CHN): 413
- Garik Karapetyan (ARM): 401
- Meso Hassona (QAT): 400
- Akbar Djuraev (UZB): 400
- Yauheni Tsikhantsou (AIN): 400
- Jang Yeonhak (KOR): 399
- Lesman Paredes Montano (BRN): 398
- Davranbek Hasanbayev (TKM): 392
- Irakli Chkheidze (GEO): 391
- Don Opeloge (SAM): 391
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Liu Huanhua (CHN)
- Silver: Meso Hassona (QAT)
- Bronze: Garik Karapetyan (ARM)
“China’s Huanhua is the favourite for gold. His clear & jerks routinely cross 230 kilograms, which provides him an enormous edge,” says Wilkes. “After that, issues are a lot much less clear. I like Hassona for silver — he has a robust clear & jerk and if he’s wholesome in Paris, he might be able to sustain with Huanhua.”
BarBend
- Gold: Liu Huanhua (CHN)
- Silver: Akbar Djuraev (UZB)
- Bronze: Meso Hassona (QAT)
Huanhua is the one sure-fire podium athlete of the 102-kilogram pack barring a bomb-out, which he’s not had — actually, Huanhua has made 75% of all competitors makes an attempt in IWF-recognized occasions.
Past that, we predict persons are sleeping on Djuraev. After his unsuccessful try at bulking as much as the super-heavyweights, the 109-kilogram Olympic Champion made a late weight reduce to the 102s for the 2024 Asian Championships, the place he Totaled 400.
It’s unknown whether or not Djuraev’s efficiency suffers dramatically from slicing weight, however what is definite is that he has extra expertise dealing with ultra-heavy weights than Huanhua or Hassona.
Males’s +102-Kilogram
- Lasha Talakhadze (GEO): 474
- Gor Minasyan (BRN): 464
- Varazdat Lalayan (ARM): 463
- Ali Davoudi (IRI): 454
- Man Asaad (SYR): 445
- Mohamed Elsayed (EGY): 433
- Ali Rubaiawi (IRQ): 427
- Walid Bidani (ALG): 426
- Eishiro Murakami (JPN): 421
- David Liti (NZL): 413
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Lasha Talakhadze (GEO)
- Silver: Gor Minasyan (BRN)
- Bronze: Varazdat Lalayan (ARM)
“Possibly it’s as a result of I compete on this class towards these athletes, however I really feel that is probably the most cut-and-dry,” Wilkes says. “You don’t wager towards Talakhadze.”
Persevering with, Wilkes notes that he “likes Minasyan for second place; a 460+ Whole is fairly routine for him. Lalayan has proven promise on this quad, however I believe Minasyan has the tenure to remain forward of him.”
BarBend
- Gold: Lasha Talakhadze (GEO)
- Silver: Varazdat Lalayan (ARM)
- Bronze: Gor Minasyan (BRN)
“You don’t wager towards Talakhadze,” is correct. Nonetheless, final month we did marvel if he’s robust sufficient to win the Olympics. Fortunately, his current coaching footage has indicated the Georgian large is making ready effectively for what followers speculate will probably be his ultimate Olympics.
Nonetheless, we’re huge followers of Lalayan. He’s youthful than both Talakhadze or Minasyan, is extra explosive than the latter, and has impressively constant method within the snatch. He’s a bit wobbly within the clear & jerks, however his finest lifts from the quad — 215 kilos within the snatch and 253 within the jerk, from completely different meets — are theoretically sufficient to make even Talakhadze a bit nervous.
2024 Olympics Predictions | Girls’s Weightlifting
These are BarBend and Wilkes’ podium predictions for every Girls’s weightlifting occasion on the 2024 Olympics, in addition to the finalized top-10 athlete roster printed by the IWF. The athlete lists don’t embody weightlifters who certified for the summer season Video games through continental, refugee, or universality slots.
The notation under reads as “Athlete Identify (Nation): Highest qualification Whole”.
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Girls’s 49-Kilogram
- Hou Zhihui (CHN): 217
- Mirabai Chanu (IND): 200
- Surodchana Khambao (THA): 200
- Jourdan Delacruz (USA): 200
- Mihaela Cambei (ROU): 199
- Rira Suzuki (JPN): 197
- Nina Sterckx (BEL): 193
- Katherin Enchandia Zarate (VEN): 193
- Fang Wan-Ling (TPE): 192
- Beatriz Piron Candelario (DOM): 191
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Hou Zhihui (CHN)
- Silver: Jourdan Delacruz (USA)
- Bronze: Surodchana Khambao (THA)
From Wilkes: “Zhihui’s 17-kilogram Whole lead on the remainder of the board makes her a transparent favourite. She ought to win together with her opening lifts. However any of the subsequent 4 athletes can suck up the 2 remaining medals.”
“I like Delacruz for second place,” Wilkes says of his Tokyo 2020 teammate. “She’s been recovering from an harm however seems primed and prepared for an enormous Whole after clear & jerking 114 kilograms on the 2024 Nationwide Championships.”
After that, Wilkes is endorsing Thailand’s Khambao for bronze. “Chanu Totaled 200 early within the quad, however has since trended downward. Cambei may additionally sneak in, however her clear & jerk isn’t fairly as robust because the others.”
BarBend
- Gold: Hou Zhihui (CHN)
- Silver: Jourdan Delacruz (USA)
- Bronze: Mihaela Cambei (ROU)
We agree with Wilkes on gold and silver; Zhihui has put an excessive amount of airspace between herself and some other 49-kilogram weightlifter save for her personal teammate and North Korea’s athlete, who was not eligible for Paris.
With regards to bronze, we’re throwing down for Cambei, who has steadily constructed momentum over the quad. She’s Totaled 194 kilos or extra since Worlds in ‘22, whereas Khambao and Chanu every have logged outcomes only a bit decrease or did not carry out altogether, opting solely to weigh in at huge meets.
Cambei has sizzling fingers, having taken each alternative to compete on worldwide phases all through the quad and growing her Whole mainly linearly alongside the way in which.
Girls’s 59-Kilogram
- Luo Shifang (CHN): 248
- Kamila Konotop (UKR): 236
- Maude Charron (CAN): 236
- Yenny Alvarez (COL): 234
- Kuo Hsing-Chun (TPE): 232
- Anyelin Venegas (VEN): 229
- Elreen Ann Ando (PHI): 228
- Rafiatu Lawal (NGR): 227
- Janeth Gomez Valdivia (MEX): 223
- Lucrezia Magistris (ITA): 217
Caine Wilkes
“China is the clear front-runner as soon as once more, however I like Charron for second place,” notes Wilkes. “She’s gained plenty of momentum heading into the Olympics and is extremely constant.”
“Third place would possibly go to Konotop from Ukraine, however I believe Hsing-Chun would possibly present up prepared for an enormous clear & jerk. I may see her going huge, since that is presumably her ultimate Olympics.”
BarBend
- Gold: Luo Shifang (CHN)
- Silver: Kuo Hsing-Chun (TPE)
- Bronze: Maude Charron (CAN)
We agree with Wilkes virtually uniformly, save for one distinction. Hsing-Chun is likely one of the most achieved and tenured athletes in ladies’s weightlifting ever. Approaching the sundown of her profession, we sense she’s performed issues near her chest to remain wholesome and within the dialog till Paris, the place she’ll drop the hammer one final time for a silver medal earlier than retiring.
Wilkes is correct about Charron, although — she’s obtained one of many highest charges of profitable lifts of any feminine weightlifter in Paris and has solely trended upward since her historic gold-medal end in Tokyo at 64 kilos.
Charron gained the Girls’s 64-kilogram occasion in Tokyo with a 236-kilogram Whole. Come the tip of the Paris qualification cycle and he or she put up the identical Whole whereas 5 kilograms lighter; a rare feat for a weightlifter at this degree.
Girls’s 71-Kilogram
- Olivia Reeves (USA): 268
- Angie Palacios Dajomes (ECU): 261
- Loredana Toma (ROU): 256
- Vanessa Sarno (PHI): 249
- Naema Stated (EGY): 246
- Chen Wen-Huei (TPE): 246
- Mari Sanchez Perinan (COL): 244
- Siuzanna Valodzka (AIN): 242
- Pleasure Eze (NGR): 239
- Amanda Da Costa (BRA): 238
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Olivia Reeves (USA)
- Silver: Angie Palacios-Dajomes (ECU)
- Bronze: Loredana Toma (ROU)
“Olivia has an ideal shot at gold. I don’t see anybody giving her an actual problem within the 71-kilogram session. She’ll simply preserve doing what she does, hitting private information decisively on the platform,” says Wilkes.
He continues, saying, “…neither Palacios-Dajomes nor Toma have hit their prime Totals just lately, each are skilled weightlifters who will present up able to do what it takes.”
BarBend
- Gold: Olivia Reeves (USA)
- Silver: Angie Palacios-Dajomes (ECU)
- Bronze: Vanessa Sarno (PHI)
We’d wager the home on Reeves profitable the Paris Olympics. Past that, Palacios-Dajomes is the one non-Asian girl weightlifter to carry a Senior world document (121 kilograms within the snatch) on the closure of the qualification interval.
However for third, we’re going to forged our vote for Sarno. Whereas a celebrity on the planet of weightlifting, Toma has stumbled since her huge day on the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships, solely totaling above 240 kilograms one time since then.
Then again, Sarno is just shifting upward. Precisely one yr previous to Paris, she Totaled 216 kilograms weighing 66 on the Asian Junior Championships. Six months after that, she set her quad-best results of 249 on the IWF Grand Prix II in December of final yr.
Girls’s 81-Kilogram
- Neisi Dajomes (ECU): 269
- Sara Samir Ahmed (EGY): 268
- Solfrid Koanda (NOR): 266
- Eileen Cikamatana (AUS): 263
- Kim Suhyeon (KOR): 256
- Ayamey Damiana Medina Roca (CUB): 254
- Laura Amaro (BRA): 253
- Yudelina Mejia Peguero (DOM): 252
- Ankhtsetseg Munkhjantsan (MGL): 243
- Rigina Adashbaeva (UZB): 243
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Neisi Dajomes-Barrera (ECU)
- Silver: Solfrid Koanda (NOR)
- Bronze: Sara Samir Ahmed (EGY)
Wilkes: “This can be a powerful class to name. Most of the prime lifters right here have hit their stride simply in time for Paris. I like Koanda for second place — most of her performances had been within the 87-kilo class, however I believe she will go for an enormous clear & jerk in Paris.”
“Ahmed hit her 268 early within the quad, and I don’t know if she’s prepared for a Whole like that. I additionally suppose Australia’s Cikamatana is a darkish horse candidate, as she’s steadily crept up her Whole all through the quad,” Wilkes notes.
BarBend
- Gold: Neisi Dajomes-Barrera (ECU)
- Silver: Solfrid Koanda (NOR)
- Bronze: Sara Samir Ahmed (EGY)
We’re in full settlement with Wilkes right here. Count on the 81-kilogram class to presumably supply probably the most contentious, back-and-forth weightlifting of any Girls’s class in Paris. Koanda is probably going stronger than Dajomes-Barrera, however she lacks expertise in comparison with Ecuador’s first feminine Olympic Champion ever.
Girls’s +81-Kilogram
- Li Wenwen (CHN): 325
- Park Hyejeong (KOR): 296
- Emily Campbell (GBR): 287
- Duangaksom Chaidee (THA): 286
- Mary Theisen-Lappen (USA): 283
- Lisseth Ayovi Cabezas (ECU): 276
- Halima Abbas (EGY): 275
- Naryury Perez Reveron (VEN): 267
- Iuniarra Sipaia (SAM): 267
- Crismery Santana Peguero (DOM): 263
Caine Wilkes
- Gold: Li Wenwen (CHN)
- Silver: Park Hyejeong (KOR)
- Bronze: Chaidee Duangaskom (THA)
“As soon as once more, Wenwen from China is the clear favourite together with her 30-kilogram Whole lead on the remainder of the division,” says Wilkes. “Park additionally holds a sizeable lead in second place.”
“The bronze medal may go to Campbell of Nice Britain, Thailand’s Duangaskom, or Theisen-Lappen of Staff USA,” Wilkes continues. “I’m selecting Duangaskom largely as a result of Campbell has been battling accidents of late.”
“Theisen-Lappen is the darkish horse right here. She has a sizeable clear & jerk, however she wants a stable snatch day to be in medal rivalry.”
BarBend
- Gold: Li Wenwen (CHN)
- Silver: Park Hyejeong (KOR)
- Bronze: Mary Theisen-Lappen (USA)
Wilkes is on level, however we’re going to endorse Theisen-Lappen for bronze, although it really is anybody’s recreation. Duangaskom is formidable, however has Totaled 280 or much less in 2024 and 2023, and has solely clear & jerked 160 as soon as.
Theisen-Lappen lacks consistency within the snatch, however is extraordinarily highly effective within the clear & jerk. She lifted 166 kilograms at Worlds in ‘23, however a troublesome jury name invalidated the try. Furthermore, she’s additionally just lately hit a whopping 183 kilograms within the jerk from blocks. If Theisen-Lappen luggage a snatch at or above 120, she’ll do what she has to do to win a medal in a while.
2024 Olympics Weightlifting Schedule
Disagree with our or Wilkes’ picks? Nicely, you gained’t have to attend lengthy to seek out out whether or not what we’re prophesying involves cross. The 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, formally start on Jul. 26, 2024. Nonetheless, weightlifting occasions gained’t begin till Aug. 7.
Right here’s the total schedule for all weightlifting occasions on the 2024 Olympics. Instances are listed in Jap Customary Time and all scheduling is topic to vary.
Wednesday, August 7
- 9:00AM: Males 61KG
- 1:30PM: Girls 49KG
Thursday, August 8
- 9:00AM: Girls 59KG
- 1:30PM: Males 73KG
Friday, August 9
- 9:00AM: Males 89KG
- 1:30PM: Girls 71KG
Saturday, August 10
- 5:30AM: Males 102KG
- 10:00AM: Girls 81KG
- 2:30PM: Males +102KG
Sunday, August 11
Extra Weightlifting Information
Featured Picture courtesy of USA Weightlifting