Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian lifter Rahmat Erwin Abdullah bagged a gold medal in the IWF Grand Prix held in Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday, and came close to holding world records in two categories.bdullah struck the gold in the men’s 81 kg category after lifting 156 kg in snatch, 202 kg in the clean and jerk segment, and 358 kg in total, according to the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) on its website. The 73 kg clean and jerk world record holder was close to setting world records when he moved up the heaviest weight of his career at the IWF Grand Prix in Cuba. However, Abdullah was unable to complete the 209 kg attempt in his final chance in clean and jerk. He also failed in his final attempt in snatch to break another record. Karlos Nasar of Bulgaria, with a record of 208 kg, is still the world’s best in the 81 kg clean and jerk segment. Meanwhile, Li Dayin of China still stands as the best in both the 81 kg snatch and total category, in which he set records at 175 kg and 378 kg. “I had it, I had it (chance to break the world record) but no, the jerk,” Abdullah said after claiming Indonesia’s third victory in four days in Cuba. The Olympic bronze medalist in the 73 kg category in Tokyo said that putting on the weight “makes me feel more powerful.” He expects to return to competing in the 73 kg category to defend his world title for his next outing at the IWF World Championships in Saudi Arabia in September. ygysyz Torayev of Turkmenistan won the silver medal after lifting 144-175-319 kg, while Samuel Guertin of Canada secured the bronze with 140-173-313 kg. Indonesia has, so far, bagged three golds in Cuba. Ricko Saputra took the crown in the men’s 61 kg category, while Eko Yuli Irawan successfully made a clean sweep in the 67 kg category.

Source: Antara News Agency