RIYADH: The 2021 IWF Youth World Cup began in Jeddah on Tuesday with gold medals going to weightlifters from Russia and Turkey in the men’s and women’s competitions.
In the men’s 49kg category, the Russian Oleg Prokopev topped the podium, with silver going to Alexandr Dxobak of the Czech republic and bronze to Kevin Yepes of Colombia.
This was followed by the women’s 40kg competition, which was won by Ezgi Kilic of Turkey, with Sofia Lawren of Colombia second and Darly Marley of Mexico third.
Saudi weightlifter Raif Mutlaq took part in the women’s category.
Wednesday’s schedule will see action in the men’s 55kg and 61kg, and the women’s 45kg.
More than 320 male and female U17 weightlifters from 45 countries are taking part in the competition, organized by the Saudi Arabian Weightlifting Federation, and being held in the Kingdom for the first time.
The tournament will continue until Oct. 12.