The 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, are upon us. The second day of weightlifting proved, if possible, to be even more exhilarating than the first, thanks in large part to the Men’s 73-kilogram event at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Aug. 8. If you’re playing catch-up, here’s what happened this morning:
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BarBend will update this page as the event progresses, including podium results and a play-by-play of the competition from start to finish. Stay tuned!
2024 Olympics: Men’s 73KG Weightlifting
- Rizki Juniansyah (INA): 365
- Shi Zhiyong (CHN): 356
- Masanori Miyamoto (JPN): 350
- Weeraphon Wichuma (THA): 349
- Bozhidar Andreev (BUL): 348
- Bak Joohyo (KOR): 345
- Ritvars Suharevs (LAT): 341
- Muhammed Furkan Ozbek (TUR): 341
- Julio Mayora (VEN): 339
- Luis Mosquera (COL): 337
- Karem Ben Hnia (TUN): 332, Continental
- Bernardin Kingue Matam (FRA): Host
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2024 Olympics Men’s 73KG Weightlifting Results
Men’s 73KG Podium
- Gold: Rizki Juniansyah (INA) — 354 (155/199) | Olympic Record Clean & Jerk
- Silver: Weeraphon Wichuma (THA) — 346 (148/198)
- Bronze: Bozhidar Andreev (BUL) — 344 (154/190)
Event Recap — Snatch
The Men’s 73-kilogram event, widely expected to be one of Paris’s most thrilling weightlifting sessions, began with a successful 138-kilogram snatch by French native and four-time Olympian Bernardin Kingue Matam.
The bar quickly bounced to 145 kilograms for Kareem Ben Hnia of Tunisia, who missed once and reclaimed it on his second attempt; Kingue Matam ended with a narrow make at the same weight.
Korea’s Bak Joohyo gently tapped his head with the bar on his 146-kilogram opener for three reds. Japan’s Masanori Miyamoto, a dark horse medal contender, came out swinging with 147. Latvia’s Ritvars Suharevs lost his opening snatch at 147 due to a wobbly elbow. Joohyo kept his wits — and the bar off his head to secure 147 on his second.
Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Andreev entered the fray with a make at 148. He was followed by Thailand’s Weeraphon Wichuma, who made the same weight albeit with more difficulty. Ben Hnia was the second athlete to retire after roaring through a 149-kilogram snatch.
150 was conquered first by Muhammed Furkan Ozbek of Turkey. Colombia’s two-time medalist Luis Mosquera dropped his 150 opener in front despite his characteristic lightning speed. He returned two minutes later to make the lift before the judges could blink. Joohyo closed out his snatches with another head tap.
Suharevs quietly withdrew from the competition; commentators cited a shoulder injury. The bar proceeded without him to 151, snatched by Miyamoto. Then, 152 for Venezuelan Julio Mayora plus Wichuma, who failed his second and third attempts.
Ozbek drew 153 on his second attempt and looped it behind, arguing with his coach as he strutted off the stage. Andreev howled at the audience after securing 154 kilos on his third attempt.
Indonesia’s gold medal favorite, Rizki Juniansyah, showed his face for the first time at 155 kilograms, which he missed behind. He came back two minutes later and corrected his error. China’s Shi Zhiyong was yet to appear. After some time, Mosquera returned to take 155 and very, very nearly lost it behind — he deftly corrected his posture to make the save of the Olympics so far.
Miyamoto was prompted to follow at the same weight but tilted sideways, losing the bar on his final attempt. Ozbek also tried his hand at 155 on his third attempt, but it spat him out. He shouted at the bar as it fell.
Mayora, one of three left in the field, came out for attempt two at 156 and missed. Backroom cameras showed Zhiyong having his wrist massaged by a Chinese coach while Mayora prepared for his final attempt. He missed again.
The stadium grew louder as Zhiyong stepped out for his opening attempt at 161 — he made it look easy. Juniansyah answered with a third attempt at 162 but wasn’t successful. Only Zhiyong remained.
He lifted 165 on his second attempt and narrowly missed 168 for a new Olympic record.
Event Recap — Clean & Jerk
Kingue Matam initiated the clean & jerk portion with 175 kilograms; his highest successful lift. He departed the stage to vibrant applause from the crowd in his capital city.
The bar flew to 185 and was thrust overhead by Mosquera, who had his attempt taken by the jury. He returned to try it again, left no doubt, and opened his arms wide to the judges as if to taunt them. Joohyo followed, failing his opener at 186, as did Ben Hnia.
Miyamoto silenced the room before fumbling his 187-kilogram opener — Andreev was convincing when he opened at the same weight. Joohyo also tried 187 on his second attempt and was successful if only just. Miyamoto stamped 187 for his second lift; Ben Hnia failed it, ending his Paris journey on a miss.
Mayora entered the fray at 188 kilograms but missed twice. This prompted Mosquera back for 189, a massive personal best — he came close but missed the jerk. Mayora remained behind the scenes, forcing the first clean & jerk from 19-year-old Wichuma; a make at 190. Andreev replicated Wichuma’s success with his own third attempt, retiring him from competition. Until now, the Bulgarian was the only man to go 6-for-6.
Zhiyong opened at 191 but wavered and lost the bar behind during the squat jerk. Juniansyah, down by 10 kilos in the Total, came out for the same weight and made it look easy, turning up the temperature between China and Indonesia.
Ozbek broke his hiatus to try 191 for his second attempt but missed. Zhiyong returned for his second attempt. Up by a massive margin in the snatch, all he needed to do was secure a clean & jerk. He missed again. Ozbek didn’t, though, on his final attempt at 191, securing a total and possibly a medal.
Zhiyong missed his final clean & jerk at 191 kilograms, bombing out of the competition despite his massive lead in the snatches. Mayora came next, making a heroic effort at 192 and danced across the platform before fumbling the bar.
Miyamoto raised his arms to quiet the room before trying 193 kilograms to rocket onto the podium. He flew under the bar but couldn’t jerk it. Wichuma took the stage for 194 on his second attempt as one of several athletes looking to claim the space available after Zhiyong floundered. Wichuma was successful, moving him into third for the time being.
Joohyo came out for what commentators called a “moon shot” — it proved to be, as he missed the jerk at 196 kilos and collapsed in tears on the platform. Wichuma sought to confirm his medal by taking 198 on his final attempt, a Junior world record, and the first at the 2024 Olympics.
Juniansyah was the last athlete standing and came out to clean & jerk 199 for a new Olympic record.
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2024 Olympics Weightlifting Schedule
Weightlifting events will be held at the 2024 Olympics from Aug. 7 to Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. Catch all the action live by referring to the full schedule below. All times are in Eastern Standard Time and are subject to change:
Wednesday, August 7
- 9:00 AM: Men’s 61KG
- 1:30 PM: Women’s 49KG
Thursday, August 8
- 9:00 AM: Women’s 59KG
- 1:30 PM: Men’s 73KG
Friday, August 9
- 9:00 AM: Men’s 89KG
- 1:30 PM: Women’s 71KG
Saturday, August 10
- 5:30 AM: Men’s 102KG
- 10:00 AM: Women’s 81KG
- 2:30 PM: Men’s +102KG
Sunday, August 11
- 5:30 AM: Women’s +81KG
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Featured Image: @squat_jerk_journalist / Instagram
