A severely bloodied thumb cost Rizki Juniansyah the gold during the Men's 81-kilogram event at the 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships. Juniansyah placed second behind Luo Chongyang of China.
- Why It Matters: Yesterday, Juniansyah's teammate and rival Rahmat Erwin Abdullah set a world record en route to winning the 73-kilogram division, where Rizki has competed almost exclusively throughout his career.
Indonesia's two middleweight phenoms shocked the weightlifting world at the 2024 IWF World Cup when Juniansyah swiped his country's Olympic slot out of Abdullah's hands at the last moment.
Rahmat and Rizki often mirror each other — when they last lifted together at Worlds in December, it was Abdullah who opted into a heavier class.
The pair haven't gone head-to-head in the same division since their clash at the Cup over a year ago.
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Rizki Juniansyah (81) | 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships
On May 13, Abdullah reminded everyone — Rizki included — that he could still be top dog in the yard, besting his own 204-kilogram world record by another kilo.
We expected Juniansyah to respond in kind, perhaps by overwriting Rahmat's singular record at 81; a 209-kilogram clean & jerk from the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships.
Unfortunately, he shredded his thumb from top to bottom on his second clean & jerk attempt. "There's completely no skin left," Weightlifting House guest commentator Sergii Putsoff remarked.
Rizki Juniansyah (81)
- Snatch: 150, 156, 161
- Clean & Jerk: 190, 197, 202x
- Total: 358
Juniansyah had a cheerful demeanor throughout most of the competition which soured to agony as he attempted 202 kilograms, a personal record, to ensure he came out above Luo. Team China's first-timer was ahead by a hair in the snatches, 162 to 161.
- How It Happened: Luo made 200 on his second attempt. If successful at 202, Rizki would've narrowly jumped to, and stayed in, the lead — Luo missed 202 as well, and no other athlete snatched enough for gold in the total.
Lift More, Hurt Less: Weightlifting House Thumb Tape
We don't know if Juniansyah was a full-bodied 81 or weighed in light for this competition. We do know that this year's Asian Weightlifting Championships is the last international event before the sport's new weight classes take effect in June.
- What It Means: Juniansyah skipping out on the final 73-kilogram event indicates his intent to bulk up and occupy the upcoming 79-kilo division, while Abdullah could drop down to 71.
The Asian Weightlifting Championships have a lot of spectacular lifting left. Don't miss a moment; see it live with us on Weightlifting House TV.
