The 23-year-old North Korean weightlifter broke the Clean & Jerk and Total World Records to capture gold in the 65KG division
North Korea’s Pak Myong Jin delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2026 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, setting two new world records on his way to winning gold in the Men’s 65KG division.
Competing in Ningbo, China, the 23-year-old- who weighs just 143 pounds – showcased incredible strength by completing a 187-kilogram (412.3-pound) Clean & Jerk. The historic lift also pushed his combined total to 331 kilograms (729.7 pounds), establishing another world record.
Even more impressive, Pak accomplished the feat while weighing just 64.8 kilograms (142.9 pounds).
Pak Myong Jin Breaks Two World Records in Dramatic Finish
Pak opened the competition with a successful 140-kilogram (308.6-pound) Snatch before improving to 144 kilograms (317.5 pounds) on his second attempt. He missed his final attempt at 147 kilograms (324.1 pounds), leaving him with ground to make up in the Clean & Jerk.
That is where the competition took a dramatic turn.
American weightlifter Hampton Morris briefly claimed the Clean & Jerk World Record with a massive 185-kilogram (407.9-pound) lift.
However, Pak had one final attempt remaining.
The North Korean star stepped onto the platform and successfully lifted 187 kilograms (412.3 pounds), surpassing Morris to establish a new world record.
His combined total of 331 kilograms (729.7 pounds) also broke the previous world record of 329 kilograms (725.3 pounds), set by China’s He Yueji at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships.
Pak Myong Jin’s Full Performance
Snatch:
- 140 KG (308.6 LB), successful
- 144 KG (317.5 LB), successful
- 147 KG (324.1 LB), unsuccessful
Clean & Jerk:
- 179 KG (394.6 LB), successful
- 183 KG (403.4 LB), successful
- 187 KG (412.3 LB), World Record
Total: 331 KG (729.7 LB), World Record
2026 World Weightlifting Championships: Men’s 65KG Top Three
- Winner: Pak Myong Jin (North Korea), 331 KG (729.7 LB)
- 2nd: Muhammed Furkan Özbek (Turkey), 330 KG (727.5 LB)
- 3rd: Hampton Morris (United States), 328 KG (723.1 LB)
Another Major Victory for Pak Myong Jin
Pak is no stranger to international success. He previously captured gold medals at both the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships and the 2024 Asian Weightlifting Championships.
His latest performance further establishes him among the world’s elite weightlifters. With two new world records and another gold medal at just 23 years old, Pak has plenty of time to continue pushing the limits of his strength.
The thrilling battle also highlighted the depth of talent in the 65KG division, with Morris briefly holding the world record before Pak delivered the winning lift.
Header image emerged via Instagram @iwfnet
