MERIDA, Yucatan.- With a warm welcome to athletes, coaches and managers, the governor of Yucatan, Rolando Zapata Bello and the rector of the Autonomous University of Yucatan, Jose de Jesus Williams, inaugurated the 5th World University Weightlifting Championship.
Yucatan opened its doors to receive weightlifters from 22 countries. During four days, they will fight for the podiums and bring the pride of being University Champion to their nations.
The Opening Ceremony started with the march pass of the participating countries: Canada, United States, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Australia, Austria, China, France, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Chinese Taipei, Uruguay, Hungary, Thailand and Mexico.
M. Anthony Davis, FISU executive member; Juan Sosa Puerto, Director of the Yucatan Sports Institute (IDEY); and Manuel Merodio Reza, General Secretary of the CONDDE were also present at the ceremony.
The rector Jose de Jesus Williams welcomed all the athletes and officials who crowded the MultiGym of the Kukulcan Sports Complex, the venue of this event.
“Welcome to a state full of traditions, culture, gastronomy, friendly people, natural richness and special accent; a state that for the geographical position favors the practice of baseball, boxing, swimming and of course weightlifting” pointed the university executive.
He also pointed out the fact that this is the first time a tournament of this magnitude is held on the American continent, thanking the FISU for granted the UADY this event.
“During this event, we will meet the best university weightlifters of the world and that makes us proud; the UADY promotes the sports and physical activity between the community, the sports gave us sense of belonging and the opportunity to take care of our health”
The rector concluded with a recommendation to the athletes: “take advantage of this event to exchange ideas and getting to know other cultures”.
“The UADY raise arms, with this phrase we start this great weightlifting competition”
In his intervention, Anthony Davis thanked the state, the UADY and the CONDDE for hosting this 5th edition of the World University Weightlifting Championship: “The championship is an excellent time to exchange ideas and talk with the weightlifting family; I want to thank the Yucatan and UADY which worked together to make this possible, I wish great success to all our athletes and coaches”.
Zapata Bello, the Governor of Yucatan made also a welcoming speech during the Opening Ceremony: “This is the land of the Mayan culture, the land of pheasant and deer, the land where we try every day to have a better future. With the vision of wellness we have defined sports like one of the most important elements to have a better society” pointed out the local mandatary.
He also underlined the fact that thanks to the investment in sports infrastructures, Yucatan was able to realize this kind of international competition: “I would like to congratulate the UADY and their Rector for the making of this event, my thanks also to the CONDDE for giving us the opportunity and to FISU for the confidence in Yucatan”
The athlete oath was given by Carolina Lugo Robles from Mexico; while the referee oath was given by Rosalio Alvarado del Angel, President of the Mexican Weightlifting Federation.
Competition started
The competition started with the women’s 48 kg category.
Marìa Isabel Barco Ramirez and Cruz Loza Bravo, from Mexico, were eliminated at the first round.
Weng Chun Chiang, from Chinese Taipei, won the Gold Medal in ‘Snatch’ in a strong fight against Hanna Louise Powell (GBR), the former obtain 67 points and the latter 65 points. The third place was Kerri Kegan from United States who obtained 64 points.
Nevertheless, Keegan was the best in ‘Clean and Jerk’ and gained the Gold Medal by lifting 86 kg. Hanna Powell finished second with 85 kg, two points behind her US rival. The third place went to Ibuki Takashi from Japan scoring 85 kg.
Finally, Keegan shared the first place with Weng Chun Chiang, from Chinese Taipei, in 48 kg Weight Category with151 kg Lifted. Bronze Medal went to Hanna Powell, (GBR-150 kg).
In women’s 53 kg category, Qiuyun Lao (CHN), lifted 90 kg in Snatch and 110 kg in Clean & Jerk, with a total of 200 kg she won the first place. The Second Place went to Caitlin Leigh (USA), she scored 81 kg in Snatch and 107 kg in Clean & Jerk, with a total of 188 kg. Ayana Sadoyama (JPN) finished third scoring 75 kg in Snatch and 100 kg in Clean & Jerk with a total of 175 kg.
(Source WUC Weightlifting OC)
First podiums in the women’s 48kg and 53kg categories
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