Italian Antonino Pizzolato sets incredible records at European Weightlifting Championship 2019

On day 5 of European Weightlifting Championship in the men’s 81 kilograms Italian Antonino Pizzolato won two gold medals and set records for lifters under-23. European U23 records changed hands several times during the group. Ritvars Suharevs (Latvia) ended up with the snatch medal while Antonino Pizzolato (Italy) held the clean and jerk and total medals when the dust settled. Things did not go so well for Qerimaj’s Albanian teammate Daniel Godelli, who bombed out on snatches, attempting a 160 opener and 161 twice. That means that he cannot now qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The decision to open so heavy seems incomprehensible but is unfortunately all too common for Godelli and other Albanian lifters. With Godelli out of the competition, things got extremely tight in the battle for the clean and jerk and total medals. Leader from the snatch Ritvars Suharevs (Latvia) was content to take three comfortable lifts at 183,187 and 192 for a 354 total and then wait to see if anyone could beat him.

Records

• Ritvars Suharevs (Latvia) – European U23 Snatch 162
• Antonino Pizzolato (Italy) – European U23 Clean and Jerk 201
• Antonino Pizzolato (Italy) – European U23 Total 356

Ritvars Suharevs (Latvia) made all six lifts on his way to winning snatch gold and total bronze in the Men’s 81 kg category.

European Weightlifting Championship 2019: Results Clean & Jerk for Men 73 kg