The World U17 Weightlifting Championships are kicking off in Cali, Colombia. Seven athletes, determined to continue the winning traditions of Turkmenistan’s weightlifting school, will represent Turkmenistan at this prestigious international competition of the world’s best young weightlifters, as reported by the turkmenistan.gov.tm.
Four athletes will compete in the men’s tournament. Kerem Gurbandurdyev and Atabek Azamatov will represent the republic in the 60 kg weight class. Shahin Khudaibergenov will compete in the 65 kg weight class, and Davut Kakageldyev will compete for medals in the 79 kg weight class. Three compatriots have entered the women’s tournament: Shabnam Kerimbayeva and Ogulshat Amanova will compete in the 53 kg weight class, and Gulzada Berdimuhamedova will showcase her skills in the 58 kg weight class.
The current Turkmenistan national team aims to surpass the remarkable achievements of last year, when at the similar World Championships in Lima, Peru, a team of four athletes won a total of 10 medals – seven silver and three bronze. It’s worth noting that Kakamyrat Annamyradov (73 kg), who won a small silver in the clean and jerk and a silver medal in the combined event, and Didarbek Dzhumabayev (81 kg), who won three silver medals, made significant contributions to the team’s tally. Islam Akmyradov (96 kg), who won two silver medals (in the snatch and total) and a bronze medal in the clean and jerk, also triumphed.
The coaching staff has particular hopes for Ogulshat Amanova’s performance. At last year’s World Championships in Peru, competing in the 55 kg category, the young Ashgabat athlete won a small bronze medal in the clean and jerk with a total of 101 kg and came within a whisker of the podium in the combined event. This season, Ogulshat and her teammates approached the year’s biggest competitions in peak condition and are ready to demonstrate their determination to win on the Colombian stage.
