Norway: Day 3 of the IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway, turned into a showcase of power, precision, and perseverance as Turkiye’s Muhammed Furkan Özbek and North Korea’s Kim Il Gyong both set new world records, while Germany’s Jon Mau completed an emotional comeback after his battle with cancer.
In the men’s 65 kg category, Özbek delivered a flawless performance, completing all six of his lifts successfully. His consistency paid off with a world record total of 324 kg, made up of 145 kg in snatch and 179 kg in clean & jerk. The 24-year-old Turkish lifter, who competed at the Tokyo Olympics in the 73 kg category, made a smart transition down to 65 kg and never increased his weight jumps by more than three kilos between attempts. His disciplined approach and confident execution earned him not only gold but also admiration from his peers and coaches.
In the women’s 58 kg division, North Korea’s Kim Il Gyong demonstrated extraordinary control and strength. She took gold with a total of 236 kg, breaking the world record with a 104 kg snatch and a 132 kg clean & jerk. Nigeria’s Rafiatu Lawal made history by winning silver, the first medal for Africa at this year’s championships, while Kuo Hsing-Chun of Chinese Taipei secured bronze. Kim’s performance reinforced North Korea’s reputation for technical excellence and composure on the big stage.
The most inspiring story of the day, however, came from Germany’s Jon Mau, who returned to international competition after undergoing six months of chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Competing in the men’s 65 kg B group, Mau recorded a total of 284 kg (129 kg snatch + 155 kg clean & jerk). His appearance marked his first international total since 2022, capping a remarkable journey of recovery. Mau had slowly returned to lifting in Germany’s Bundesliga, even participating while still fitted with his chemo port. With renewed determination, he is now targeting the European Championships in Georgia and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The third day in Forde celebrated more than just records—it celebrated resilience and revival. Özbek’s tactical mastery, Kim’s precision, and Mau’s courage painted a complete picture of what weightlifting stands for: strength of body, mind, and spirit.
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