22-year-old Iranian Alireza Yousefi Sets 575-Pound Clean & Jerk World Record
Alireza Yousefi continues to cement his place among the strongest athletes on the planet. Competing in the Men’s +110KG division at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar, India, Yousefi set a new IWF world record in the clean & jerk. The Iranian powerhouse successfully lifted 261 kilograms (575.4 pounds) on his final attempt. He became the first athlete in the newly established +110KG weight class to surpass the official world standard.
While Yousefi ultimately finished second overall in the competition, his record-breaking lift stole the spotlight. It became one of the defining moments of the entire championship.
Alireza Yousefi Breaks The Clean & Jerk World Record
Yousefi entered the competition weighing approximately 199 kilograms (438 pounds). Throughout the event, he showcased his trademark combination of brute strength and technical efficiency.
After a solid showing in the snatch, Yousefi entered the clean & jerk portion. He knew he had an opportunity to make history.
His opening lift of 248 kilograms secured the clean & jerk gold medal and locked up an overall podium finish. With the pressure off, Yousefi immediately called for a massive 261 kilograms on the bar. This was a weight that would eclipse the existing world standard for the division.
His second attempt came up short.
However, Yousefi returned for one final shot at history and delivered.
The lift required every ounce of strength he had. However, after standing up with the clean and successfully locking out the jerk overhead, Yousefi officially set a new +110KG world record with a successful 261-kilogram lift – beating the previous benchmark by just one kilo.
Alireza Yousefi’s Full Performance
Snatch
- 177 kg (390.2 lbs) ✅
- 184 kg (405.7 lbs) ✅
- 189 kg (416.7 lbs) ❌
Clean & Jerk
- 248 kg (546.7 lbs) ✅
- 261 kg (575.4 lbs) ❌
- 261 kg (575.4 lbs) ✅ World Record
Total
- 445 kg (981.1 lbs)
Notably, Yousefi’s record-setting clean & jerk exceeded the next-best lift in the competition by more than 15 kilograms. This highlights just how dominant he remains in the discipline.
2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships Results (+110KG)
- First Place — Gor Minasyan (Bahrain)
Total: 457 kg (1,007.5 lbs) - Second Place — Alireza Yousefi (Iran)
Total: 445 kg (981.1 lbs) - Third Place — Song Yeong-hwan (South Korea)
Total: 416 kg (917.1 lbs)
Although Minasyan secured the overall title thanks to a stronger combined total, Yousefi left India with perhaps the most memorable achievement of the competition.
Who Is Alireza Yousefi?
Despite being just 22 years old, Yousefi has already built one of the most impressive resumes in international weightlifting.
He previously captured two World Junior Championship gold medals and won gold at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. The 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships marked his first podium finish at the continental level. However, he ensured the event would be remembered for much more than a silver medal.
By becoming the first man to clean & jerk more than 260 kilograms in the new +110KG division, Yousefi has established himself as one of the premier super-heavyweight lifters in the world. Moreover, he is a legitimate threat on the global stage heading into future international competitions.
With age still on his side and a world record now attached to his name, the ceiling for Alireza Yousefi appears higher than ever.
Featured image via Instagram @hookgrip
