IPF Classic World Championships - 69kg class preview

Originally posted on IPF social media on 26th May 2023

The deposed queen, Lya Bavoil, has moved up a weight class and will be competing in the 69kg at the Classic World Championships this year.  Let's take a look at the nominations:

Prescillia Bavoil    FRA    548kg

Marte Kjenner    NOR    538.5kg

Nino Tchrikishvili    GEO    525kg

Chelsea Savit    USA    515.5kg

Sara Naldi    ITA    513kg

Lya Bavoil missed weight at worlds last year and couldn't compete but she had redemption at the UK Arnold in September, hitting the highest GL points score of any raw female in the IPF - 122.26.  She also broke the squat, deadlift and total world records that day but that was all in the 63kg class.  She competed in the 69s at Sheffield in March and broke the squat and total world records there with a massive 556.5kg so the nomination undershoots a little.  Arguably, this is hers to lose.

However, last year's silver medallist, Marte Kjenner has been putting up some cracking numbers.  Her nominated total here is from Norwegian nationals in March.  However, Kjenner is going to need to keep a sharp eye on Tchrikishvili.  Her 525kg nomination is a lot higher than anything we've seen her do on the international platform so far but her lifts are really shooting up so she's in with a good chance of a medal here.

Big bencher Chelsea Savit is a few kilos back.  Her nominated total is from American nationals and she had some left in the tank, especially on deadlifts.  This will be her third world classic and probably her bet chance of making the podium, judging by the way training has been going.

Sara Naldi is very close behind having moved up from the 63s and then we have only 10kg covering then next five lifters, including such big names as junior world champion Clara Peyraud, masters world champion, Cicera Tavares and another lifter who has moved up a class - Iris Scholten of the Netherlands.

If Lya is on form, she will be hard to beat.  But she will need to be on form to keep the tide of challengers at bay and wear the gold medal once more.  Who are you cheering for?  Let us know in the comments.