By Julian Linden, OCA Media
Nagoya, Japan, September 27, 2026: Kazakhstan and the Islamic Republic of Iran both collected their first medals in weightlifting at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Sunday as the region’s next generation of super powerful women flexed their muscles on the international stage.
Teenager Ayanat Zhumagali, 19, won the silver medal for Kazakhstan in the women’s 77kg division while 20-year-old Reihaneh Karimi collected the bronze for Iran at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center.
The gold went to China’s He Renxiu, who is just 22, after she lifted 118kg in the snatch, 140kg in clean and jerk for a total of 258kg.
Typically, the best competitors in the middle heavyweight category are in their mid 20s but, with youth on their side, the three medalists from Nagoya should be well placed to challenge for further success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with 77kg one of six confirmed weight categories for women.
He Renxiu is already looking towards 2028. “We would like to continue under the instruction of my coach,” she said.
“I want to enhance the capability for snatch. For clean and jerk, I would also like to get better. I will stick to my schedule and try to improve my technique and performance. Try hard for the objective and please enjoy the sport," she added.
He Renxiu won China’s third gold in weightlifting at the Asian Games so far but, with the heavier classifications still to come, it’s unlikely to be the last.
Zhumagali was in third position after lifting 109kg in the snatch but jumped to second by holding 137kg on her third and final attempt in clean and jerk for a total of 246kg.
Karimi had been out of the medals altogether after the snatch, sitting in fourth spot, but got herself into the bronze medal position when she successfully lifted 136kg at her second attempt at clean and jerk.
She had a go at 140kg on her final lift, which would have earned her the silver. Unable to hold it, Karimi was delighted to get on the podium.
“I am so happy to make my coach and my family proud with this bronze medal,” she said. “My aim now for my next competition is to go and get the gold medal."
