Latvian weightlifters aged 15 to 17 secured multiple national titles at the U15 and U17 championships held in Daugavpils from October 3 to 4.
Gold Medal Performances in Daugavpils
Ernests Pūce led the U17 results in the 85 kg category, claiming two gold medals. He lifted 123 kg in the snatch and 148 kg in the clean and jerk, earning recognition as the top athlete in his age group for both movements. In the U15 division, Dominiks Ozoliņš mirrored this success in the 85 kg category, winning both disciplines with a 95 kg snatch and 117 kg clean and jerk. He was officially named the top U15 athlete in the snatch.
Aleksandrs Beināris, competing in the 51 kg U15 category, also secured two gold medals with a 52 kg snatch and 65 kg clean and jerk. His performance established Latvian records for his age and weight class in both movements. Milana Beināre rounded out the gold medalists by winning the U15 49 kg category with a 39 kg snatch and 49 kg clean and jerk.
Silver and Bronze Podium Finishes
Several athletes took home silver medals after strong showings in both lifts. In the U15 51 kg category, Ralfs Miltovičs recorded a 43 kg snatch and 53 kg clean and jerk. Dāvids Kristapans, competing in the U15 35 kg category, also earned two silver medals with a 26 kg snatch and 33 kg clean and jerk.
Bronze medals were awarded to multiple competitors:
- Daniel Grebežnik (U17, 85 kg): 60 kg snatch, 75 kg clean and jerk.
- Konstantins Kirpičovs (U15, 85 kg): 64 kg snatch, 83 kg clean and jerk.
- Jānis Bakanauskis (U15, 60 kg): 38 kg snatch, 47 kg clean and jerk.
Nazar Usov secured a bronze in the U15 +85 kg clean and jerk with a 102 kg lift. Damir Ozoliņš, competing in the U15 55 kg category, took third place in the snatch (40 kg) and second place in the clean and jerk (51 kg). Other participants included Leo Putniņš, who placed fourth in both movements, and Madars Kiršteins, who finished sixth. The athletes trained under the guidance of coaches Jevgeņijs Haustovs and Artūrs Plēsnieks.
Weightlifting Championship Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the national weightlifting championships held?
The competition took place in Daugavpils. It was held over two days, from October 3 to October 4.
Which athletes set new Latvian records during the event?
Aleksandrs Beināris set national records in the U15 category. He achieved these marks in the snatch (52 kg category) and the clean and jerk (51 kg category).
How are athletes categorized in these championships?
Athletes are grouped by age—specifically U15 and U17—and by their respective body weight categories. Medals are awarded for individual performances in both the snatch and the clean and jerk movements.