At the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships opening day in Ningbo, China, Yang Yang secured three medals in the men’s 60kg division, capturing gold in the snatch, bronze in the clean and jerk, and the overall gold medal with a 304kg total.
Yang Yang Secures Three Medals at Ningbo World Championships
The International Weightlifting Federation event serves as the first qualification tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and marks the first time in 31 years that the World Championships have returned to China, drawing competitors from nearly 120 countries and regions. Yang opened his snatch phase at 132kg, successfully cleared 136kg on his second attempt, and missed at 139kg to claim the snatch gold. In the clean and jerk, he hit 162kg on his first attempt and 168kg on his second before failing at 171kg, securing the clean and jerk bronze with a personal-best 168kg.
Quick Turnaround from the Asian Games Dictates Training Load
The victory comes one month after Yang set an Asian Games record to win gold in the same weight class at the Nagoya Asian Games. Managing the physical toll of cutting weight consecutively proved demanding across the field. North Korea’s Fang Yunzhe, the world record holder in the 60kg clean and jerk at 174kg, struggled through three attempts at 170kg before making his final lift. Yang noted that continuous competition required careful weight management, adding that consistent systematic training allowed him to maintain his performance.
Chasing the 65kg Class Toward Los Angeles
Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic cycle, Yang stated his intention to move up to the 65kg division to target the Los Angeles Games, acknowledging the significant physical challenge the weight transition presents for a lighter competitor. The 2026 World Championships continue in Zhejiang province as athletes compete for early qualification points.
Keep reading
