The 2023 World Weightlifting Championships (WWC) is a competition held from September 4-17, in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. Like in most competitions, team China has been the most dominant, claiming the numerous gold medals, but also a few new World Records as well. One of the most prominent Chinese weightlifters at the 2023 WWC was Liao Guifang, who displayed a dominant performance in the 71-kilogram weight class. Moreover, Liao displayed one of the most impressive performances of the entire competition, as she set new Clean & Jerk and Total World Records.
Liao Guifang is only 21-years-old currently, but already seems to be the greatest U71KG weightlifter ever. Although she originally achieved this status earlier this year when she won the Asian Championships, she has now solidified it by officially becoming a World Champion.
Liao Guifang first set the U71KG Clean & Jerk World Record of 153 kilograms (337.3 pounds), which was 5 kilograms (11 pounds) heavier than the old record. Zhang Wangli set the previous record at the 2018 World Weightlifting Championships. So, Liao broke one of the most long-standing records, which no one was able to outperform for five years.
Watch the Clean & Jerk Here:
Liao Guifang’s Full Performance
Liao Guifang only missed one out of her six attempts across the two events, and the failed lift was her very first of the day. The unsuccessful attempt was her Snatch opener, which she then easily locked out on her second attempt. Moreover, Liao was also close to breaking the Snatch World Record, as her third snatch of the day fell just 1-kilogram (2.2 pounds) short of Angie Palacios’ record.
Snatch
- Unsuccessful — 115 kilograms (253.5 pounds)
- 115 kilograms (253.5 pounds)
- 120 kilograms (264.6 pounds)
Clean & Jerk
- 143 kilograms (315.3 pounds)
- 149 kilograms (328.5 pounds)
- 153 kilograms (337.3 pounds) — U71KG World Record
Total — 273 kilograms (601.9 pounds) — U71KG World Record
*Liao Guifang also held the previous U71KG Total World Record of 268 kilograms (590.8 pounds), which she set at the 2023 Asian Championships back in May.
2023 World Weightlifting Championships — U71KG Podium (Per Total)
The 71-kilogram weight class has been highly contested since it was founded in 2018. However, with Liao Guifang’s recent performances and dominant victories, she looks to become the top ranked athlete for a very long time. She is definitely the biggest favorite for gold at the 2024 Olympic Games, which would be the pinnacle of success for her.
- Liao Guifang (CHN) — 273 kilograms (601.9 pounds)
- Angie Palacios (ECU) — 255 kilograms (562.2 pounds)
- Olivia Reeves (USA) — 253 kilograms (557.8 pounds)
Check out Liao Guifang’s snatch here:
Related: Weightlifter Li Dayin (89KG) Scores New Snatch & Total World Records at 2023 Asian Championships
Having claimed the biggest title of her career so far at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships, Liao Guifang proved that she is in the best shape of her life. However, it does not seem like she has reached her peak yet, so it is safe to assume that she will break more records in the future.
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