Song Young-hwan Sets New Korean Record in Weightlifting Clean & Jerk - A Bittersweet Victory

**Historic Achievement Overshadowed by Tie-Breaking Rules**

In the world of weightlifting, breaking national records is a monumental achievement that represents years of dedication, training, and sacrifice. On June 27, 2025, at the Yongha Gymnasium in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, 23-year-old Song Young-hwan from the Korea Military Sports Unit accomplished exactly that during the 2025 National Weightlifting Championships. His clean & jerk lift of 243kg in the men's super heavyweight division (109kg+) shattered the previous Korean record of 241kg set by Lee Je-sang at last year's World Championships. However, what should have been a moment of pure celebration became a bittersweet victory, as Song finished second overall despite his record-breaking performance.

The Korean weightlifting community has been buzzing with excitement and discussion about this remarkable feat. Song's achievement represents not just personal excellence, but also the growing strength of Korean weightlifting in the heaviest weight category. For international fans following Korean sports, this moment encapsulates the unique drama and technicalities that make weightlifting such a compelling sport to watch.

**The Technical Drama of Weightlifting Competition**

To understand the full significance of Song Young-hwan's achievement, one must appreciate the intricate rules that govern weightlifting competitions. The sport consists of two main lifts: the snatch (인상) and the clean & jerk (용상), with the total weight lifted across both movements determining the overall winner. Song's competition unfolded like a carefully choreographed drama, with each lift carrying enormous weight - both literally and figuratively.

In the snatch portion, Song lifted 182kg while his main competitor, Hwang Woo-man from the Gangwon Provincial Sports Association, managed 195kg. This 13kg difference would prove crucial in the final standings. During the clean & jerk, Hwang lifted 230kg in his second attempt, achieving a total of 425kg. Song then stepped up for his second clean & jerk attempt and made history by successfully lifting 243kg, matching Hwang's total of 425kg. The gymnasium erupted as spectators witnessed a new Korean record being born, but the celebration was tempered by the realization that Song still trailed in the overall standings due to weightlifting's tie-breaking rules.

**Understanding Weightlifting's Tie-Breaking System**

The tie-breaking rule that determined Song Young-hwan's final placement is one of weightlifting's most precise and sometimes controversial regulations. When two athletes achieve identical total weights, the victory goes to the competitor who reached that total first during the competition. This rule exists to reward consistency and strategic lifting throughout the entire competition, rather than allowing athletes to simply match their opponents' final totals.

In this case, Hwang Woo-man completed his total of 425kg during the clean & jerk portion when he successfully lifted 230kg in his second attempt. Song Young-hwan only reached the same 425kg total later in the same round when he lifted his record-breaking 243kg. By the strict application of the rules, Hwang was declared the winner despite Song's superior clean & jerk performance. This scenario has sparked considerable discussion among Korean weightlifting enthusiasts about the fairness and logic of current tie-breaking procedures, with many arguing that breaking a national record should carry additional weight in determining final standings.

**The Final Dramatic Attempt**

Sport often provides its most memorable moments in those final, pressure-filled attempts where everything hangs in the balance. Song Young-hwan's third and final clean & jerk attempt at 244kg represented exactly such a moment. Having already broken the Korean record with his 243kg lift, Song had the opportunity to not only secure the overall victory but also extend his newly-set record even further. The entire gymnasium held its breath as Song approached the barbell loaded with 244kg.

The attempt would have given Song a total of 426kg, surpassing Hwang's 425kg and claiming the overall championship. However, in a moment that perfectly encapsulates the unforgiving nature of weightlifting, Song was unable to complete the lift, dropping the barbell and watching his chance for overall victory slip away. This near-miss has become a talking point among Korean sports fans, with many expressing both admiration for Song's courage in attempting the lift and sympathy for how close he came to achieving complete victory.

**Historical Context of Korean Weightlifting Records**

Song Young-hwan's record-breaking performance must be viewed within the broader context of Korean weightlifting history and the evolution of the sport in the country. The previous record of 241kg was set by Lee Je-sang at the 2023 World Championships, representing Korea's growing competitiveness in the men's super heavyweight division. Lee's achievement at the world level, where he finished 8th with a total of 416kg (175kg snatch + 241kg clean & jerk), demonstrated that Korean weightlifters could compete with the world's best in the heaviest weight category.

Korea's weightlifting tradition has been dominated by remarkable female athletes, most notably Jang Mi-ran, who won Olympic gold in 2008 and set multiple world records during her illustrious career. Jang's achievements, including her world record total of 326kg at the Beijing Olympics, established Korea as a weightlifting powerhouse. However, success in the men's super heavyweight division has been more elusive, making Song's record-breaking performance particularly significant for the future of Korean weightlifting. His achievement suggests that Korea is developing the depth and strength needed to compete consistently at the highest levels across all weight categories.

**Community Reactions and Future Implications**

The Korean weightlifting community's reaction to Song Young-hwan's performance has been overwhelmingly positive, despite his second-place finish. Online forums and social media platforms have been filled with praise for his record-breaking lift and discussions about the potential for future achievements. Many fans have expressed excitement about the prospect of Song competing internationally and representing Korea at major championships, including the upcoming World Championships and potentially the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Sports analysts and former weightlifters have noted that Song's ability to break the national record while still relatively young (at 23) suggests significant potential for future improvement. The fact that he came so close to lifting 244kg in his final attempt indicates that even greater achievements may be within reach with continued training and competition experience. For international observers of Korean sports, Song Young-hwan represents the next generation of Korean weightlifters who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in their respective weight categories, continuing the proud tradition established by champions like Jang Mi-ran while forging their own paths to excellence.