Mihaela Cambei, a 23-year-old weightlifter from Romania, wrapped up her campaign at the World Championships in Ningbo, China, without securing a podium finish, a first for the Olympic silver medalist from Paris. She placed 5th in the snatch, 9th in the clean and jerk, and ultimately 7th overall with a total lift of 200 kg.
This marked Cambei’s fourth appearance at the World Championships, having previously competed in 2022, 2023, and 2025. Ranked among the favorites in the 53 kg category, her final outcome was disappointing, leaving her off the podium.
In the snatch event, Cambei began her competition at 91 kg, later increasing her starting weight from the initially announced 89 kg following a competitive landscape. Notably, Belgian competitor Nina Sterckx, the current European champion, failed all three attempts at 91 kg and left the podium in tears. Cambei successfully lifted 91 kg but struggled with her attempts at 94 kg, failing to maintain the barbell on both occasions and finishing the event at 91 kg.
This result was 4 kg below her continental record set earlier this year at the European Championships in Batumi, where she won her first title in the 53 kg category. In the 2025 World Championships in Forde, competing at 53 kg for the first time, she secured a gold medal with a lift of 94 kg.
The competition for the podium in the snatch event was fierce, with China’s Haizin Yang and American Miranda Ulrey both lifting impressively at 95 kg and 98 kg, ultimately attempting 100 kg but failing.
Mihaela Cambei Secures 7th Place at the World Championships Overall
After a brief break, the clean and jerk competition commenced. Cambei entered at 105 kg, the only athlete starting lower was Turkey’s Cansel Okzan, who began at 101 kg but missed her lift. Cambei, however, successfully lifted on her second attempt with clear guidance from her coaches and later lifted 109 kg on her third attempt.
The battle for medals continued, primarily between Yang and Ulrey, with Yang lifting 123 kg while Ulrey followed closely with 122 kg. However, the gold medal in this category was claimed by North Korea’s Kim So-hyon from group B, who also lifted 123 kg.
Cambei, a previous triple medalist at the last World Championships, finished this competition without a medal. She ended in 5th place in the snatch, 8th place in the clean and jerk, which ranked her 9th overall. Consequently, she placed 7th overall at the championships, marking the first major event since 2021 where she did not reach the podium.
CategorySnatchClean and JerkTotal
1. Haiqin Zhang (China)98123221
2. Miranda Ulrey (USA)98122220
3. Kim So-hyon (North Korea)91123214
4. Surodchana Khambao (Thailand)93119212
5. Rosegie Ramos (Philippines)97114211
6. Nigora Abdullaeva (Uzbekistan)90111201
7. Mihaela Cambei (Romania)91109200
8. Gyaneshwari Yadav (India)88110198
9. Dahiana Ortiz (Dominican Republic)87111198
The World Championships in China also serve as the first of ten qualifying events for the 2028 Olympic Games. Athletes will need to achieve results in at least five qualifying competitions, with three from the first qualification period and two from the second.
The first qualification phase comprises six events, including the 2026 World Championships and several other international qualifiers leading into 2027. The second phase features four events leading up to the 2028 Olympics.
The final standings will be established in May 2028, with a total of 120 weightlifters, split evenly between men and women, competing in 12 weight categories at the Los Angeles Games.
