Chileans Impress at World Weightlifting Championships

Chile have had a successful time at the World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, USA. Arley Mendez and María Fernanda Valdes both stood on top of the podium.

Coming back with a total of five medals, including four golds, Chile’s recent participation at the World Weightlifting Championships has been nothing short of success.

Arley Mendez and María Fernanda Valdes were both successful in their bids to become world champion. Cuban born Mendez, who became a naturalised citizen earlier in the year, had a particularly strong event, taking out three golds from three attempts in the 85kg division. His 175kg Snatch and 203kg Clean and Jerk as well as the 378kg total were all Chilean records.

Mendez finished ahead of world record holder Kianoush Rostami by just 1kg in the Snatch and also attempted to break that mark, but was unable to hold on. Rostami was injured in the leadup to the event and failed to post a total in the Clean and Jerk. Poland’s Krzysztof Zwarycz finished with silver in the Clean & Jerk and the Total.

Valdes, who has finished in the top 10 at the last two Olympics, grabbed gold in the Clean & Jerk, lifting up 146kg. Her total of 255kg was enough for a silver medal as well, bringing Chile’s haul to five medals from the event.

The athletes were celebrated on their return to Chile, with Chile’s Olympic Committee President Miguel Angel Mujica calling 2017 a golden year for Chilean sport. Mendez promised a medal at the Tokyo Olympics