Another of the stars from Paris 2024 to keep an eye on is Team USA superstar Olivia Reeves, who also wrapped her year as Olympic and world gold medallist. The reigning world record holder in the 69kg, moves up to the 77kg where she faces the reigning world champion in the 76kg, Sara Ahmed of Egypt.
Five reigning world champions from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Song Gum Ri (48kg), Kang Hyon-gyong (53kg), Song Kuk Hyang (69kg), world record holders II Gyong Kim (58kg), and Ri Suk (63kg), are also set to thrill at their sport’s biggest event of the year. Hsing-Chin Kuo, the Chinese Taipei Olympic champion, returns to the world podium seeking to bag her sixth world title after missing Manama.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Maude Charron from Canada is also back lifting big, following her comeback win at the Commonwealth Championships in India earlier this month.
She’s listed in the 63kg, and the worlds could be a good test as she ponders her future in the lead up to LA 2028.
“I took a month off and after that it was not easy to stay motivated. It’s still not easy. I felt like I didn’t have the sense of purpose that I had when I was going for Paris. I need something more personally motivating than being the first Canadian going three times to the Olympics,” the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist told IWF.
Focus on the world record holder Ruslan Nurudinov and Karlos Nasar
One of the two youngest competitors in Førde, Tendry Tsiky Mahay Tia Rakotonoely, a fast-rising junior from Madagascar, will make her senior debut at the age of 15. Mohammad Alotaibi, another 15-year-old but from Kuwait, will also step on the podium in the men’s 60kg category.
There’s an equally steely lineup in the men’s categories led by Nasar, the Bulgarian world record holder. After a stellar past season when he convincingly won gold at the Olympics and on the world stage, he is tipped to defend his 94kg title.
Qatar strongman Fares Ibrahim ElBakh, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist, is also entered in the same class.
Evergreen Ruslan Nurudinov, the Uzbek hero who bettered his own clean and jerk world record in Manama last year, returns for his title defence.
The 76kg should be an interesting contest, pitting Indonesian teammates Rahmat Erwin Abdullah and the reigning Olympic gold medallist Juniansyah.
Superheavy weight star from Armenia Varazdat Lalayan, the silver medallist from Paris 2024, should have an easier pathway for gold in the absence of Lasha Talakhadze who beat him to the Olympic title.