Eko Secures Indonesia's First Medal at IWF World Championship 2025

KBRN, Jakarta: Veteran Indonesian weightlifter Eko Yuli Irawan secured a bronze medal in the snatch category of the men’s 65-kilogram class at the 2025 IWF World Weightlifting Championships, lifting 137 kilograms in Forde, Norway, on Saturday night Jakarta time, October 4, 2025.

Quoting antaranews.com, Eko’s successful lift came on his third attempt, following two failed tries at 135 and 136 kilograms. The result adds to his illustrious career, bringing his total to nine World Championship medals, including a gold in 2018.

In the same category, fellow Indonesian lifter Leonardo Geovani Adventino finished eighth with a snatch of 133 kilograms.

The gold medal in snatch went to Turkey’s Muhammed Furkan Ozbek, who lifted 145 kilograms. Bulgaria’s Ivan Dimov claimed silver with a 137-kilogram lift on his second attempt.

In the clean and jerk segment of the 65-kilogram class, both Eko (163 kilograms) and Leonardo (162 kilograms) fell short of the podium. North Korea’s Pak Myong-jin took gold with a lift of 180 kilograms, followed by Ozbek with 179 kilograms and Hampton Morris of the United States with 178 kilograms.

Ozbek emerged as the overall champion in the category, setting a new world record with a combined total of 324 kilograms. Pak followed with 315 kilograms, while Morris finished third with 311 kilograms.

Indonesia has sent a 10-member contingent to the championship, which runs from October 2–11, comprising five male and five female lifters.

In addition to Eko and Leonardo, the men’s team includes Rahmat Erwin Abdullah and Rizki Juniansyah in the 79-kilogram class, and Ardaraya in the 71-kilogram class.

On the women’s side, Basilia Bamerop Ninggan and Juliana Klarissa competed in the 53-kilogram class, Natasya Beteyob in the 58-kilogram class, Nadita Aprilia in the 63-kilogram class, and Indah Afriza in the 69-kilogram class. Juliana and Basilia have completed their events, placing ninth and eleventh respectively.

Eko’s bronze marks Indonesia’s first medal at the 2025 IWF World Championships. ***