Weightlifter Mihaela Cambei

At the Paris Olympics, Romania was once again represented in the weightlifting competition after an 8-year break.

Florin Orban, 15.11.2024, 13:54

At the Paris Olympics, Romania was once again represented in the weightlifting competition after an 8-year break. At the Tokyo 2020 edition, the Romanian Weightlifting Federation was under the effect of a suspension for repeated violations of anti-doping regulations. Now, two athletes have managed to qualify: Mihaela Cambei, in the 49 kilogram category, and Loredana Toma, in the 71 kilogram category. Although most hopes for a medal were directed towards Loredana, Mihaela performed best, winning the silver medal.

Mihaela had a competition that specialists characterized as perfect. She lifted the barbell, in the snatch style, in turn, at 89, 91 and 93 kilograms. In the clean and jerk, she lifted it at 106, 110 and 112 kilograms but, on the second attempt, she injured her left hand. However, she managed to complete her third attempt, leading the standings with a total of 205 kilograms until the last attempt of the one who was to win the gold – the Chinese Zhihui Hou. She finally managed to lift 117 kilograms, an Olympic record in the clean and jerk style of the category, and obtain a total of 206 kilograms. The bronze medal went to Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao, with 200 kilograms.

Mihaela Valentina Cambei was born in Dofteana commune, Bacău County (east), on November 18, 2002. In 2018, at just 16 years old, she won the bronze medal in the 48 kilogram category at the Summer Youth Olympic Games, organized in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She stood out in the senior competitions at just 20 years old, also demonstrating that she enjoys competing in South America. In 2022, at the World Championships in Colombia, in Bogota, she won the silver medal in the 49 kilogram category, snatch style. In 2023 and 2024, she dominated the European Championships, repeatedly breaking the continental record in the snatch. At the European Championships in Sofia, in the spring of this year, she also received the title of the best European weightlifter of the year 2023.

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