Entering the 2022 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Weightlifting Championships (WWC), Karlos Nasar was one of the presumed top athletes to watch. After he captured three separate Junior World Records at the 2022 European Weightlifting Championships (EWC), some expected a measure of fireworks from the 18-year-old Bulgarian dynamo. He did not disappoint.
On Dec. 11, 2022, Nasar successfully locked out a 220-kilogram (485-pound) clean & jerk for a Junior and Senior World Record in the 89-kilogram weight class during the 2022 IWF WWC. The feat of strength saw Nasar eclipse Antonino Pizzolato’s previous Senior World Record of 217 kilograms (478.4 pounds) from the 2022 EWC by three kilograms (6.6 pounds). Nasar also surpassed his own Junior record by 11 kilograms (24.2 pounds). Notably, Nasar had attempted to beat Pizzolato’s clean & jerk mark at the late-spring 2022 contest but couldn’t finish his 220-kilogram attempt at that time.
The impressive milestones aside, Nasar was unable to officially place because he didn’t record a final total.
Nasar didn’t log a total because he couldn’t finish a successful snatch attempt. The athlete tried to snatch 173 kilograms (381.4 pounds) twice and 174 kilograms on his last try but couldn’t follow through. Ultimately, this may have been a result of the athlete putting much of his energy into his World Record clean & jerk. Nasar might still appreciate that kind of record output even if he couldn’t place overall at the 2022 IWF Worlds.
The athlete who took advantage of Nasar leaving the door open in his weight class was 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Keydomar Giovanni Vallenilla Sanchez. The Venezuelan athlete eventually took home the 89-kilogram gold medal with a 385-kilogram (848.8-pound) total.
Here’s an overview of the 89-kilogram podium at the 2022 IWF World Weightlifting Championships:
2022 IWF World Weightlifting Championships | Men’s 89-Kilogram Podium
- First place — Keydomar Vallenilla Sanchez (Venezuela): 385-kilogram (848.7-pound) total | 175-kilogram (385.8-pound) snatch | 210-kilogram (463-pound) clean & jerk
- Second place — Brayan Santiago Rodallegas Carvajal (Columbia): 381-kilogram (839.9-pound) total | 170-kilogram (370.8-pound) snatch | 211-kilogram clean & jerk
- Third place — Liu Huanhua (China): 381-kilogram (839.9-pound) total | 166-kilogram (365.9-pound) snatch | 215-kilogram (474-pound) clean & jerk
It’s unclear what Nasar’s plans are for the immediate competitive future. Despite his miss at a total and official placing at the 2022 IWF Worlds, it seems clear the 18-year-old is ready to shine in the sport of weightlifting for years to come. The world might be this Bulgarian prodigy’s oyster, and he seems prepared to lift it over his head.
Featured image: @one_kilo_ on Instagram
