Two Gold Medals and a World Record: Rizki Juniansyah a Champion in a New Class

FORDE, TUESDAY — Rizki Juniansyah brought home two gold medals, one bronze, and broke the world record at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championship. Alongside fellow Indonesian lifter Rahmat Erwin Abdullah, who won silver despite competing in Group B, Rizki proved himself worthy of being called the champion in the new weight class of 79 kilograms, with a complete set of achievements.

Rizki displayed a brilliant performance in the men's 79-kilogram class competition at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway, early Tuesday (October 7, 2025) WIB. Competing in Group A, Rizki was the best lifter in the clean and jerk and total lift out of a total of 39 athletes competing in four sessions.

Rizki won the gold medal in the clean and jerk (lifting a weight in two stages) with a weight of 204 kilograms and a total lift of 361 kilograms. His second attempt at the clean and jerk not only earned him gold but also broke the world record. He also won bronze for his snatch of 157 kg.

Rizki broke the world record set by Rahmat Erwin Abdullah in Group B an hour earlier. Rahmat recorded a lift of 203 kilograms, which earned him a silver medal.

There were 12 attempts to break world records, both senior and junior, by lifters from China, Kazakhstan, Egypt, North Korea, and Indonesia. Only two attempts from Indonesia were successful.

In his attempt to break the world record, Rizki performed convincingly. After lifting the barbell from the floor to his shoulders (clean), Rizki paused for four seconds before lifting it overhead (jerk).

His success was met with cheers and applause. Rizki then concluded his performance with his customary salute.

"I hope (to break the world record for total lift as well), I will save that for another time," said Rizki, who will represent Indonesia in the 79 kg category at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, to the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation).

Rizki could also break the world record for total lift if he succeeds in his snatch attempt of 162 kg. This would take him well beyond the established world standard of 361 kg.

However, after successfully lifting 157 kilograms in the first attempt, Rizki failed in two subsequent attempts to increase the lift to 162 kg. In fact, during the national selection last August, Rizki was able to do it with ease.

Not only that, during the national selection for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, Rizki even lifted 205 kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a total of 367 kg. This means he has already achieved the lift that would break the world record for total lift.

At Forde, Rizki was able to lift the weight overhead in a seated position. However, in both snatch attempts, Rizki was unable to maintain the lift until standing. In the snatch, a lifter must be able to lift the weight from the floor to overhead in a standing position in one movement.

However, the 157 kg lift was sufficient for Rizki to secure a podium finish, specifically a bronze medal. North Korean lifter, Ri Chong Song, claimed the gold with a lift of 163 kg, while Elsayed from Egypt took the silver with 162 kg.

Rizki once again defeated Rahmat in an indirect "duel." Despite being from the same country, their rivalry continues to attract attention and interest worldwide. Rahmat, who was uncertain about his participation in the World Championship due to a right shoulder injury, ultimately showcased his performance in Group B.

In Group B, which began on Monday (October 6, 2025) at 10:00 PM WIB, Rahmat was the best lifter out of the seven competing lifters. The bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics recorded a best snatch lift of 156 kg, a clean and jerk of 203 kg, and a total lift of 359 kg. He was three kilograms shy of breaking the world record for total lift.

Despite being the top lifter in Group B, Rahmat had to wait until the Group A competition, which began Tuesday at 12:30 a.m. WIB, was over to secure a medal. After the Group A competition concluded, Rahmat was announced to have won silver in the snatch, just one kilogram behind gold medalist Rizki.

"It might be a small tear, but I don't want surgery," Rahmat said of the injury that had made him hesitant to play.

"The doctor said I need to rest, so I can only train properly for a week for this championship. I'm not fit enough for the clean and jerk yet," he said later.

The injury was sustained by Rahmat during the national selection in August. At that time, Rahmat was "dueling" with Rizki to become the best lifter entitled to represent Indonesia in the 79 kg class at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

Rahmat failed two snatch attempts at 155 kg. The Makassar, South Sulawesi-born lifter then opted to skip the third attempt and instead try the clean and jerk. Rizki emerged victorious with a snatch of 162 kg, a clean and jerk of 205 kg, and a total of 367 kg.

With the results in Forde, Rizki and Rahmat have proven that they are worthy contenders in the competition in the new class. Previously, they were the "dominators" in the 73 kg class, even becoming the best lifters up until the last moment leading to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The 2025 World Championship is the first global event to compete in the new weight categories. As of June 1, 2025, the IWF will implement new classes consisting of 60 kilograms, 65 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, 110 kg, and +110 kg for the men's sector. Meanwhile, the women's sector will consist of 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 86 kg, and +86 kg.