Indonesia’s Rizki Juniansyah breaks world records to win SEA Games weightlifting gold

Indonesia’s Rizki Juniansyah won gold in the men’s 79kg weightlifting event at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games on 15 December 2025, breaking world records in the clean and jerk and total.

The 22-year-old lifted 160kg in the snatch to take a five-kilogram lead before completing a 205kg clean and jerk in his final attempt, surpassing the previous world record of 204kg that he set at the World Championships in October. His combined total of 365kg exceeded the existing world record total of 362kg.

Juniansyah, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion in the 73kg category, finished well ahead of Malaysia’s Muhammad Hidayat, who took silver with a total of 336kg, and Thailand’s Natthawut Suepsuan, who claimed bronze with 335kg.

The victory delivered Indonesia’s 50th gold medal of the Games.

Born in Serang, Banten, Juniansyah comes from a weightlifting background and has progressed rapidly through national and international competition.

He has established himself as one of Indonesia’s leading lifters, particularly in the clean and jerk, and has consistently delivered podium finishes at major global events.

Juniansyah has received state recognition for his sporting achievements and was appointed a TNI officer.

At 22, he remains one of Indonesia’s key medal prospects in international weightlifting.