Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation Caps FISU World University Weightlifting Doha 2026 with Another Chapter of Success

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September 13, 2026
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13-September-2026

Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation Caps FISU World University Weightlifting Doha 2026 with Another Chapter of Success

DOHA – The 10th edition of the World University Weightlifting Championships Doha 2026 concluded in Doha today, Saturday, following five days of intense competition from September 8 to 12. Organized by the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation and held at Education City, the championship featured 116 athletes representing 21 countries from around the world, competing in 16 weight categories, with eight categories for men and eight for women.

H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation, extended his sincere congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, and H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, on Qatari weightlifter Wissal Yakhlel’s achievement of winning three gold medals in the women’s +86kg category and   the outstanding success of the FISU World University Championship Weightlifting Doha 2026. He expressed his appreciation for their valued support for sport, emphasizing that this success represents a continuation of Qatar’s distinguished track record in hosting and organizing major international sporting events.

H.E. Dr. Al Nuaimi extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to H.E. Mr. Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation, commending the Federation’s fruitful cooperation and valued efforts in successfully organizing this outstanding edition of the championship, which received widespread praise and acclaim. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to Qatar Foundation for hosting the championship and for its instrumental role in ensuring the success of this sporting event.

H.E. Dr. Al Nuaimi also congratulated Wissal Yakhlef, team Qatar lifter, on winning three gold medals, describing her achievement as the perfect finale to the championship and a source of pride for Qatari university sport. He expressed his pride in her accomplishment and wished her continued success and excellence, with further achievements in her upcoming Asian and Olympic competitions.

The closing ceremony was attended by Mr. Rashid Saeed Adiba, Secretary-General of the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation; Dr. Milan Mihajlovic, FISU TCC Weightlifting; and Ms. Sarita Morales Brenes, FISU ICC member, along with a number of prominent sports and academic figures and members of the QCSF Board.

Addressing the audience and athletes at the closing ceremony, Mr. Rashid Saeed Odhaiba, Secretary-General of the Qatar University Sports Federation, said: “On this special evening, we come to the conclusion of the FISU World University Championship Weightlifting Doha 2026, bringing to a close five days filled with competition, passion and determination. We succeeded in delivering an event worthy of the stature of this global sporting occasion, and this success would not have been possible without your collective efforts, dedication, perseverance and spirit of teamwork.

In her remarks, Ms. Sarita Morales Brenes, Member of the International Control Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), extended her sincere thanks and appreciation, on behalf of FISU, to the Qatar University Sports Federation and all officials, guests, volunteers, coaches, technical officials and athletes for their contributions to the success of the World University Weightlifting Championships Doha 2026. She noted that, over five days, the championship brought together the values of hard work, focus, respect and friendship.

In the men’s 110kg category on Saturday , American George Upmeyer asserted his dominance, sweeping all three gold medals in the Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Total. He posted 168kg in the Snatch, 201kg in the Clean and Jerk and 369kg in the Total to complete a commanding performance.

Romanian Paul Ionita enjoyed a strong showing on the podium, collecting three medals ,  two silver and one bronze. He secured silver in the Clean and Jerk with a 196kg lift and in the Total with 359kg, while adding a bronze medal in the Snatch after lifting 163kg. American Caleb Weakland also finished among the medalists, claiming three medals , silver in the Snatch with 164kg, bronze in the Clean and Jerk with 192kg, and bronze in the Total with 356kg.

Dr. Milan Mihajlovic, FISU TCC Weightlifting , presented the medals to the top three finishers in the men’s 110kg category, in a celebratory atmosphere that reflected the significance of their achievements and the competitive spirit that defined the championship.

In the women’s 86kg category, Chinese Taipei’s Yulin Peng dominated the competition, claiming all three gold medals. She took gold in the Snatch with a lift of 107kg, followed by gold in the Clean and Jerk with 125kg, before completing her sweep with gold in the Total at 232kg. South Korea’s Yubin Hong secured three silver medals, finishing second in the Snatch with 100kg, the Clean and Jerk with 124kg, and the Total with 224kg. Moldova’s Anastasia Palich completed the podium with three bronze medals, recording 93kg in the Snatch, 116kg in the Clean and Jerk, and 209kg in the Total.

In the women’s +86kg category, Qatar’s Wissal Yakhlef also swept all three gold medals, winning the Snatch with 125kg, the Clean and Jerk with 155kg, and the Total with 280kg. South Korea’s Hyoebin secured three silver medals, with 103kg in the Snatch, 145kg in the Clean and Jerk, and 248kg in the Total. Slovakia’s Lenka Zimbova claimed three bronze medals, lifting 102kg in the Snatch, 127kg in the Clean and Jerk, and 229kg in the Total.

H.E. Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, presented the medals to the top three finishers in the women’s 86kg and +86kg categories, as the Qatari athlete celebrated her outstanding achievement amid a festive atmosphere.

In the men’s +110kg category, Iraqi lifter Jabar Mustafa dominated the podium, claiming all three gold medals after winning the Snatch with 170kg, the Clean and Jerk with 212kg, and the Total with 382kg. South Korea’s Dong Hyun Kim secured two silver medals, taking silver in the Clean and Jerk with 211kg and in the Total with 363kg.

Moldova’s Stanislav Uja claimed two medals , silver and bronze after taking silver in the Snatch with 166kg and bronze in the Total with 357kg. Finland’s Hanno Keskitalo won bronze in the Snatch with 165kg, while South Korea’s Dong Hyun Kim claimed bronze in the Clean and Jerk with 198kg.

The closing ceremony also featured the handover of the FISU flag to Ms. Sarita Morales Brenes, Member of the International Control Committee of FISU. Albania will host the 11th edition of the championship in two years. With the flag passed to the next host nation, the curtain came down on five days of competition that brought together around 116 male and female athletes from 21 countries, showcasing strong technical performances and fiercely contested competition across the various weight categories.