Pang sparkles at the Qatar Cup IWF Grand Prix II

North Korea’s Pang Un Chol yesterday clinched the first competition of the Qatar Cup IWF Grand Prix II at the Aspire Zone where Doha welcomed the global weightlifting family for the 10-day 2024 Olympic Games qualifying tournament.
Exhibiting a flawless routine on the first day, Pang Un Chol won the men’s 55kg class with a total lift of 268kg, finishing ahead of Indonesia’s Satrio Adi Nugroho (254kg). Sri Lanka’s Dilanka Isuru Kumara Yodage finished third on the podium (245kg).
Pang Un Chol clinched the gold in snatch (116kg), clean and jerk (152kg) and group tally with an overall total of 268kg. Indonesia’s Nugroho with lifts of 115kg (snatch), 139kg (clean & jerk) and 254 (overall) ended with three silver medals.
Sri Lanka’s Yodage bagged two bronze medals (133kg, clean & jerk and 245kv overall) while Indonesia’s Mohamed Ibnul Rizqih also snatched a bronze (113kg in snatch and 243kg overall).
Today, the tournament continues with competitions in 45kg and 49kg classes for women and 61kg for men.
The Executive Director of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF) Zayed Mubarak al-Khayarin yesterday said stiff competition is expected in the coming days as lifters eye Olympic Games berths in Doha. “These competitions hold immense significance, as they serve as qualifying tournaments for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. Athletes from around the world will be vying for top honours and valuable points in the coming days as they chase their Olympic dreams,” al-Khayarin said in his remarks.
“Our eyes will be firmly on Qatari superstar Fares Ibrahim. Fares is primed to compete in both the Qatar Cup and the IWF Grand Prix,” he added.
Fares, who won the gold at the Tokyo Olympics, will compete in the 102kgs class on the second last day of the Doha tournament. The 25-year-old has already qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Al-Khayarin emphasised Fares’s determination to make the most of this home-turf advantage.
“He aims to obtain the best number of points before the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics competitions,” he declared in media statements.
“Fares’ quest for Olympic qualification doesn’t end with the Qatar Cup and IWF Grand Prix. He has a packed schedule ahead, including the World Weightlifting Championships in Uzbekistan next February and the subsequent World Championships in Thailand next March. The latter will be the final qualifying tournament for Paris 2024, making every lift he takes in the coming months critically important,” al-Khayarin said.
With the support of his home federation and the electric atmosphere of the Aspire Zone, Fares is poised to make a powerful statement on the international stage. His journey to Paris 2024 is one to watch closely, and these upcoming competitions offer a glimpse into the grit, determination, and raw talent that he brings to the sport.