Addie Jones from the U.S. and Ali Abdelradi from Egypt emerged as standout champions on the fifth day of the IWF World Youth Championships held in Cali, Colombia, effectively breaking a prior streak of four consecutive wins by European competitors.
Impressive Performance by Abdelradi
Abdelradi, who currently holds all three youth world records in the 79kg category, showcased remarkable skill during the competition, concluding with a final tally of 143-175-318—a 13kg margin ahead of his closest competitor. Despite holding the records, he did not attempt to surpass them at this event. His performance included making five of his six lifts, confirming his status as a formidable athlete on the world stage.
Addie Jones Shines on Global Debut
In her first appearance at a World Championship, Addie Jones clinched the gold in the 69kg category. Her success was significantly backed by Mike Gattone, USA Weightlifting’s performance director, who has been her personal coach since her early training days in Chicago. Gattone described Jones as a highly committed athlete who trains five times a week, reflecting pride in her progress. Jones completed all six of her attempts throughout the competition, achieving a total lift of 91-114-205, and also set new national youth records.
Jones expressed gratitude toward Gattone, stating, “He’s the best. I was expecting a medal here, and Mike has done a lot of work with me, both physically and mentally.” This achievement marks a significant milestone for Gattone, making Jones the first athlete he has coached to win at the global level since Tara Nott’s gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Notable Competitors from Other Nations
The event also featured strong performances from athletes like Hagar Roshdy from Egypt, who was anticipated to contend for medals but had to withdraw due to fitness issues. Italian lifter Ilenia Vella and Mexico’s Edith Rios managed to secure medals, though not based on total lifts. Vella earned a silver in the clean and jerk with a sum of 81-106-187, while Rios placed third in the snatch with an overall total of 86-98-184.
Rhianne Cabalida, a promising young talent from the Philippines, also made a mark by securing second place in the snatch and third in the clean and jerk, finishing with a combined total of 88-105-193. Meanwhile, Ecuador’s Beyonce Bolanos surprised herself by winning a bronze medal, finishing third overall with a total lift of 83-105-188.
A Historic Moment for Libya
Libya celebrated a historic achievement when Abdulrauf Khalifa brought home a silver medal with a total of 137-168-305, becoming the first Libyan to medal at the World Youth Championships. This follows Libya’s initial success at the World Juniors two years prior, marking a significant milestone for the nation in international weightlifting. The competition was closely contested, with Kazakhstan’s Yernur Myrzakhmet finishing third overall, and other competitors narrowly missing out on podium placements.
The World Youth Championships in Cali not only showcased incredible talent but also highlighted the growing prominence of weightlifting across diverse nations. As champions like Jones and Abdelradi rise to the forefront, the future of international weightlifting looks promising.