China wins 17 golds at World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo

China has finished the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo with 17 gold, 10 silver, and six bronze medals.

Four Chinese lifters set a combined 11 senior world records during the championships. Across the competition, 17 athletes broke senior world records 42 times, while nine junior and 15 youth world records were also set.

In the final event on Nov 8, China's 22-year-old Li Yan swept all three gold medals in the women's over-86 kg category, lifting 147 kg in the snatch, 170 kg in the clean and jerk, and 317 kg overall. Her snatch broke her own world record, while her total put her 31 kg ahead of South Korea's Park Hye-jeong, who finished second.

The championships served as the first qualifying event for weightlifting at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, bringing more than 1,000 athletes and team officials from over 90 countries and regions to Ningbo.

Jose Quinones, general secretary of the International Weightlifting Federation, praised the event's organization, facilities, and services, describing it as one of the largest and best-organized editions in the competition's history. He said he would recommend Ningbo to international sports organizations as a potential host for major sporting events.

Quinones also highlighted the city's cultural attractions, local cuisine, and waterfront scenery, particularly a night cruise along Ningbo's three rivers.