The 2023 Reykjavík International Games marked a historic moment for the Icelandic Weightlifting Federation as they hosted their first-ever International Team Competition. The competition was held with great excitement and anticipation as ten male and ten female weightlifters from five different teams took to the stage to showcase their strengths and skills.
Each team consisted of two male and two female lifters, and the competition was based on points with the highest-ranked lifter in each gender category receiving ten points, followed by 9 points for second place, and so on. The competition was fierce, but it was Norway’s Kim Eirik Tollefsen who “stole” the show with his epic 186kg clean and jerk lift.
Tension was high as Kim had missed his first two attempts at the same weight, but he refused to give up and delivered a magnificent performance that secured the victory for Norway. Kim’s personal best in clean and jerk is 205kg in competition, and this win added another remarkable achievement to his impressive weightlifting career.
Iceland was a close second behind Norway, and the team was extremely proud of their effort and performance. The weightlifting community knows that beating Norway is no easy feat, and Iceland’s second-place finish was a testament to the strength and determination of the team.
Finland took third place, followed by Denmark in fourth and the Faroe Islands in fifth. The success of this first-ever International Team Competition has already sparked plans for another competition next year, and the hope is that Sweden will be able to join the competition and make it a true Nordic Team Competition.
Weightlifting fans are already eagerly awaiting the next Reykjavík International Games, and the excitement and anticipation are building as they look forward to witnessing the amazing strength and skills of the world’s top weightlifters. The 2023 Reykjavík International Games will always be remembered as a historic moment for the Icelandic Weightlifting Federation, and the competition will continue to inspire and motivate weightlifters for many years to come.
You can rewatch competition here !
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Source: Icelandic Weightlifting Federation General Secretary
Arni Runar Baldursson
EWF would like to extend warm congratulations to the host, the Icelandic Weightlifting Federation, for their outstanding organization and execution of this first-ever International Team Competition. The competition was a true testament to the strength and dedication of all the teams, and it was an honor to watch such remarkable athletes showcase their skills and determination on the stage.
EWF would also like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the participating teams, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands, for their hard work, passion, and sportsmanship throughout the competition. It was truly inspiring to see the level of skill and competition that was on display, and we are proud to have been a part of such a historic moment in weightlifting history.
The 2023 Reykjavík International Games will always be remembered as a milestone in the world of weightlifting, and the weightlifting community looks forward to the continued growth and success of this competition in the years to come.