Weightlifting Gold Medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand Threatened

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The results of the 2025 World Weightlifting Championship may not fully represent the rivalry at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. However, Indonesia should remain vigilant against Southeast Asian lifters who excel at the world level. They could pose a threat to Indonesia's gold medals, particularly in three weight categories.

Indonesia only brought home two gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals from the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway, which ended Saturday (11/10/2025). The five medals were won by three lifters: Rizki Juniansyah (gold in total lift and bronze in snatch) and Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (silver in clean and jerk) in the 79-kilogram class, and Eko Yuli Irawan (bronze in snatch) in the 65-kg class.

In singles events like the World Championships, each lift competes for three sets of medals. As a result, an athlete can win more than one medal depending on their results in each lift, including the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lifts.

The last Indonesian lifter to compete was Indah Apriza in the women's 69 kg class on Tuesday (October 7, 2025). Indah finished 14th in the 96 kg snatch, 10th in the 122 kg clean and jerk, and 13th in the 218 kg total lift.

To Forde, Indonesia sent a total of 10 athletes consisting of five male and five female athletes. In the men's category, Rizki and Rahmat competed in the 79 kg class, Eko Yuli and Leonardo Adventino in the 65 kg class, and Ardaraya in the 71 kg class. In the women's sector, Juliana Klarisa and Basilia Bamerop competed in the 53 kg class, while Natasya Beteyob in the 58 kg class, Nadita Aprilia in the 63 kg class, and Indah Afriza in the 69 kg class.

The Secretary General of the Central Board of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association, Djoko Pramono, stated that there are indeed no lofty targets set for the athletes at the World Championship. This is because this event is the first world-level tournament featuring new weight categories.

Weightlifting competitions are categorized based on athletes' body weight. This is to ensure fair competition among lifters.

As of June, the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) has implemented new weight classes consisting of 60 kilograms, 65 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, 110 kg, and +110 kg in the men's sector. Meanwhile, the classes of 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 86 kg, and +86 kg have been established in the women's sector.

"We 'spy' each other's strengths, mapping our strengths," said Djoko, referring to the rivalry with fellow Southeast Asian lifters.

From the competition at the World Championship, Djoko stated, the rivalry will be evident in the upcoming SEA Games. This is provided that other Southeast Asian countries also send their lifters to the World Championship. The Indonesian lifters participating in the World Championship are the same lifters who will compete in the upcoming SEA Games.

In several classes, although it does not yet fully depict the competition at the SEA Games in Thailand, the rivalry has already begun to emerge. From the results of the World Championship, it is also observed that Indonesia is at risk of losing three gold medals.

At the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, Indonesia emerged as the overall champion with a total of five gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals. The gold medals were awarded to Eko Yuli (61 kg), Rizki Juniansyah (73 kg), Rahmat Erwin (81 kg), Juliana Klarisa (55 kg), and Tsabitha Alfiah (64 kg).

Eko certainly didn't go home empty-handed at the World Championships. He won bronze in the 137 kg snatch. The gold and silver snatch winners were lifters from outside Southeast Asia: Muhammad Frukan Ozbek (Turkey) and Ivav Petkok Dimov (Bulgaria).

In a multi-sport event like the SEA Games, only three sets of medals are awarded for the total lift (a combination of the best snatch and clean and jerk lifts), so the total lift is the benchmark. At the World Championships, Eko ranked 7th with a total lift of 300 kg (137 kg snatch, 163 kg clean and jerk).

The three lifters on the podium were from Turkey, North Korea, and the United States. However, in fifth place was Southeast Asian lifter Muhammad Aznil Bin Bidin from Malaysia. His total lift was 301 kg (135 kg snatch, 166 kg clean and jerk), just a kilogram shy of Eko's total.

Indeed, there are differences in strategy when lifters compete in single events and multi-sport events. In single events, by focusing and maximizing on just one type of lift, lifters can achieve medals. Nevertheless, the emergence of Muhammad Aznil must still be closely monitored.

It's true that Malaysian lifters can be a threat. However, we will strive to perfect our lifts, especially the clean and jerk.

This was affirmed by the coach of the Indonesian weightlifting team who trains Eko, Erwin Abdullah. According to Erwin, other Southeast Asian lifters, including those from Malaysia, could indeed pose a threat to Eko's chances of regaining the gold. Nevertheless, with the time remaining, he and Eko will continue to strive to increase their lifts.

"It's true that Malaysian lifters can be a threat. However, we will strive to perfect our lifts, especially the clean and jerk. If that's good, our lifts should also improve," said Erwin.

Aznil once competed against Eko in the 61 kg class at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam. At that time, Aznil won a silver medal after recording a total lift of 287 kg, which is a national record. Eko successfully secured the gold medal with a three-kilogram advantage over Aznil.

Meanwhile, Eko is likely to face stiff competition from Aznil and other Southeast Asian lifters for the gold medal, while Rizki and Rahmat are highly likely to reclaim gold despite competing in a new weight class. The gold for a total lift of 367 kg at the World Championship has already demonstrated that Rizki is the best in the world, not just in Southeast Asia or Asia.

Rahmat, who will compete in the 88 kg class, should face no obstacles in this new weight category. In the World Championship, there are indeed no Southeast Asian lifters participating, making it difficult to map out the competition for the upcoming SEA Games. This class is predominantly dominated by European lifters, but Rahmat has a track record of achievements at the world level, complete with records.

Another threat comes from the women's division. Juliana Klarisa, who won gold in the 55 kg class at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, returned home without a medal at the World Championships. Klarisa competed in the 53 kg class and placed 9th with a total lift of 183 kg (80 kg snatch, 103 kg clean and jerk). Her compatriot, Basilia Barmerop, who competed in the same class, placed 11th with 181 kg (80 kg snatch, 101 kg clean and jerk).

In this weight class, Thai lifter Surodchana Khambao won a bronze medal with a total lift of 200 kg (90 kg in snatch, 110 kg in clean and jerk). Khambao previously won gold at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 49 kg class. Her presence in the 53 kg class could pose a threat to Klarisa's chances of winning another gold medal in Thailand.

The last Indonesian lifter to win gold in Cambodia was Tsabitha Alfiah, who did not compete in the World Championship. Tsabitha also missed the event in Thailand to prepare for childbirth.

Although it does not fully reflect the upcoming competition in Thailand, the results of the World Championship can serve as an evaluation material for the Indonesian weightlifting team to further enhance their capabilities. Moreover, other Southeast Asian lifters continue to show progress, including the host country, Thailand.

At the World Championship, Thailand sent three male and three female lifters. Although the number of athletes is fewer than that of Indonesia, the quality of their medals is better. Thailand successfully secured three golds, two silvers, and three bronzes.

In addition to Thailand, threats can also come from the Philippines. Meanwhile, Vietnam did not send representatives to the World Championship, making it more difficult to gauge their strength.