2026 World Weightlifting Championships Day 2: Two World Records and 18th Place for Garnik Cholakyan
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
On October 28, the second day of competition at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships took place in Ningbo, China. Medals were awarded in one weight category — the men's 65 kg division. North Korea's Pak Myong Jin claimed the world title, setting two world records. Armenian weightlifter Garnik Cholakyan finished 18th overall.
Garnik Cholakyan Finishes 18th
Armenia's representative Garnik Cholakyan competed in Group B of the men's 65 kg category.
The Armenian weightlifter lifted 130 kg in the snatch and 155 kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a total of 285 kg (130+155).
After the completion of all groups, Cholakyan placed 18th overall and finished the competition without a medal.
Dramatic Battle for Gold and Two World Records
The standout performer of the second day was North Korean weightlifter Pak Myong Jin, who claimed gold with a total of 331 kg (144+187), setting world records in both the clean and jerk and the total.
The battle for the world title was exceptionally intense. Defending world champion Muhammed Furkan Ozbek of Türkiye finished with 330 kg (147+183), temporarily setting a world record in the total.
However, Pak Myong Jin successfully lifted 187 kg on his final attempt, overtaking the Turkish athlete by just one kilogram.
American weightlifter Hampton Miller Morris was also involved in a dramatic contest as he chased a historic gold medal for the United States.
Morris lifted 185 kg in the clean and jerk, briefly setting a world record, before attempting 189 kg. The American managed to raise the bar overhead, but the jury ruled the lift invalid due to a technical violation.
As a result, Morris settled for the bronze medal with a total of 328 kg (143+185). Had he won, he would have become the first American male weightlifter to claim a world championship title since 1969.
One of the main favorites, China's He Yueji, also endured a disappointing competition. He won gold in the snatch with 148 kg but managed only 167 kg in the clean and jerk, finishing sixth in the total standings.
2026 World Weightlifting Championships Results — Men's 65 kg
Snatch
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He Yueji (China) — 148 kg
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Muhammed Furkan Ozbek (Türkiye) — 147 kg
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Ding Hongjie (China) — 146 kg
Clean and Jerk
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Pak Myong Jin (North Korea) — 187 kg (world record)
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Hampton Miller Morris (USA) — 185 kg
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Muhammed Furkan Ozbek (Türkiye) — 183 kg
Total
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Pak Myong Jin (North Korea) — 331 kg (144+187), world record
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Muhammed Furkan Ozbek (Türkiye) — 330 kg (147+183)
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Hampton Miller Morris (USA) — 328 kg (143+185)
18. Garnik Cholakyan (Armenia) — 285 kg (130+155)
North Korea has now claimed its second gold medal in the total standings in the opening two days of the World Championships. On the first day, North Korean weightlifters also secured two podium finishes in the men's 60 kg category.
The World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo will continue until November 8. Other members of the Armenian national team, including its leading weightlifters, are scheduled to compete in the coming days.
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