Iranian weightlifter Davoudi collects three gold medals in IWF Grand Prix I

Iranian weightlifter Ali Davoudi has featured outstanding performances at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Grand Prix I in Cuba, pocketing three gold medals in the international sporting event.

On Sunday, Davoudi collected the medals in the +109-kilogram weight category of the competitions in the Cuban capital city of Havana.

The Iranian weightlifter raised 203 kilograms overhead to claim the gold medal. Belarusian weightlifter Eduard Ziaziulin, who was competing at international competitions as an Authorized Neutral Athlete (ANA), took the silver with a lift of 181 kilograms. Jorge David Arroyo Váldez from Ecuador elevated 180 kilograms to get the bronze.

Davoudi topped the clean-and-jerk podium with 238 kilograms. New Zealand weightlifter David Andrew Liti finished second and won the silver with 226 kilograms. Serbian athlete Tamas Kajdoci scooped up the bronze with a lift of 216 kilograms.

The Iranian weightlifter finished the competition tied on an aggregate of 441 kilograms. The New Zealand and Serbian competitors landed in the second and third overall slots with 400 and 391 kilograms respectively.

The 2023 IWF Grand Prix I started in Havana, Cuba, on June 8 and ran through June 18.

Around 270 competitors from 58 nations did their best to excel and get their “ticket” for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as the contests served as an Olympic qualification event.

ME