At eighteen years old, Belgium’s Nina Sterckx won hearts at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Competing in the women’s weightlifting 49 kg Group A, she went up against several world record holders and Olympic record holders. Despite coming up short, she proved herself and even broke into tears.

Belgian weightlifter lifts spirits at Tokyo Olympics 2020

Nina Sterckx qualified for the Olympics via a huge win at the 2021 European Championships in Moscow. The bronze medal there would lead to bigger things in her future, but doing that at eighteen made her a legend in Belgium. She received backing from her teammates who were much older than her to succeed in Tokyo.

Prior to her Olympic showcase, she won the silver medal at the Junior World Championships, making her Olympic chances grow exponentially. However, Tokyo wouldn’t be so kind to the Belgian as she she fell short of touching the lengths set by her competitors. To watch the emotional moment click here.

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Competing against India’s Chanu Mirabai, China’s Hou Zhihui and Indonesia’s Cantika Aisah is no walk in the park. However, the Belgian put on a masterclass which adequately pressured the favorites. She successfully lifted 81 and a whopping 99 kg to finish 5th overall in the event.

After her last failed attempt to lift 101 kg, Sterchx broke into tears. She never gave up and attempted one of the toughest lifts, and despite coming up she’s now a role model for Belgian youth. At eighteen, she has an incredible career ahead of her and will surely be a sight at the 2024 and 2028 Olympics in Paris and Los Angeles. With some luck, she could break into the 2032 Brisbane Games too.

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After an incredible competition, India’s Chanu Mirabai Saikhom, China’s Hou Zhihui and Indonesia’s Cantika Aisah cemented themselves as legends. All three competitors attempted to break Olympic records set by athletes who served as their inspirations.

Records tumbled at the hands of Zhuhui who lifted 116kg, setting an Olympic record. Ahead of the 116kg feat, she also set an Olympic record by lifting 94 kg in the snatch event.

With the circle and jerk event ending, who do you think ended on the podium? With Thunderstruck blaring through the speakers, who will walk out of the Tokyo International Forum with medals around their necks?

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