"Weeraphon" Clinches 1 Gold and 1 Silver at World Grand Prix 2 Weightlifting Competition
Bangkok, Thailand - Weeraphon Wichuma, affectionately known as "Wave," secured an outstanding victory by winning 1 gold and 1 bronze medal in the 73kg men's category at the "World Grand Prix 2" weightlifting competition held in Doha, Qatar.
The "World Grand Prix 2" weightlifting competition, a crucial event in the Olympic qualification journey for the Paris 2024 Games, has seen Thailand's team accumulating medals. Prior to Weeraphol
's achievement, Surodchana Khambao claimed 2 silver and 1 bronze medal in the 55kg women's category.
In the evening session on December 7, 2023, Weeraphon Wichuma added to Thailand's medal tally with a stellar performance. Weeraphon, the rising star of Thai weightlifting, won 1 gold and 1 bronze medal in the 73kg category. Notably, he had previously secured 2 gold medals and 1 bronze in the World Weightlifting Championships held in September 2023 in Saudi Arabia.
Starting with a snatch lift of 145kg, Weeraphol continued to impress with a clean and jerk lift of 182kg in the first attempt, 187kg in the second, and 189kg in the third. With a total weight of 334kg, he successfully claimed both the gold and bronze medals. The gold in snatch went to Shi Zhi Yang from China, lifting 160kg, while the overall weightlifting gold belonged to Ritvars Suharevs from Latvia, with a lift of 341kg.
In summary, Thailand's weightlifting team has achieved a total of 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the competition.
Simultaneously, at noon on the same day, Mr. Somsak Prangthong, Vice President of the Weightlifting Association of Thailand, and Lt. Col. Wutthichai Isara, the team's medical doctor, led a delegation of athletes and coaches to the Thai Embassy in Doha. They were graciously hosted by Mr. Sira Swangsilpa, Ambassador of Thailand to Doha, for a luncheon reception, signing the guest book, and expressing gratitude for the warm welcome extended to the Thai weightlifting team.
