With the commencement of the IWF World Cup in Phuket, the weightlifting world has a palpable sense of anticipation for the electrifying showdowns. Among the 21 formidable athletes, each of them possessing an illustrative record, stood champions in their own right, including two Olympic gold medalists and two Tokyo silver medalists.

Yet, amidst this galaxy of stars, it was a Korean weightlifter who not only defied expectations but also captured the collective imagination of the spectators. Despite facing setbacks with failed attempts, she drew the spotlight to her against the backdrop of fierce competition.

Making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics – a diamond in the rough

Kim Suhyeon appeared battle hardened and vying to go at the behemoth IWF event. To share a glimpse of Kim remarkable performance at IWF, Weightlifting House took it to their official YouTube account and posted a video with the title, “Jury Try to Take Away an Olympic Ticket but the Crowd Intervenes! Last-Chance Qualifier.”

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As Kim Suhyeon entered the arena, the stage was set, and the weights were already loaded. Amidst the hushed murmurs of the audience, she finally stepped forward. All that she could see was herself lifting the 144kg weights with aplomb. This was her final attempt as the first one was overturned by the jury and the second one she dropped in the middle.

Now, each and everyone present online or offline was on the edge of their seats with eyes set on Kim. As she gripped the barbell, she knew that it held the weight of her aspiration. With muscles taut and unwavering focus, she lifted the weights. But, as the barbell reached its zenith, a precarious imbalance, same as her last dropped attempt, threatened to derail all her efforts.

In that heart-stopping moment, something remarkable occurred. She finally lifted the 144kg. However, once again the jury intervened, leaving Kim speechless. But, soon the jury confirmed that “it was a good lift.“ Directly after hearing the decision, Kim bowed to the Jury and sank to the ground with tears of joy as she was finally qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Kim’s journey to qualify for the Olympics was a rollercoaster ride

At the Asian Championships, Kim prematurely celebrated her qualification. Unknowingly fate has other plans in store for her. Amidst the intense competition, her teammate Kim Iseul initially stole the spotlight. With a remarkable improvement by 17kg in C Group, she soared from 23rd ranking to the top six spots.

This not only uplifted Kim Iseul’s rank but also edged past Kim Suhyeon by a mere 1kg. However, despite the commendations, Iseul couldn’t help but express her aspirations for even higher achievements, lamenting “That’s very good but I was hoping for 118-145.” in an exclusive interview with IWF.

Meanwhile, the pressure mounted for Kim as she faced the daunting task of needing to lift 256kg to secure her qualification. But, Kim not only punched her tickets but also overcame a series of challenges. In the same interview, she said, “I was very nervous,” she added. “My left arm was a problem again. God helped me.” Now, Kim has to undergo an intense training regimen to accomplish a medal finish at the Olympics.

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