The fate of the champion was decided by a single kilogram.

19 April, 2026

At the European Weightlifting Championships, the second set of medals was contested. The champions and prize winners were determined in the women’s 53-kilogram weight category.

The leader of the weight category was Belgium’s Nina Sterckx, who placed second in the snatch with 94 kilograms. The Belgian was the best in the clean and jerk, setting a new European record by lifting 116 kilograms and taking first place, and also claimed the gold medal with a total of 210 kilograms, which was likewise a European record.

Romania’s Mihaela Valentina Cambei came close to the championship in the total, missing out on the coveted title by just one kilogram. A consolation for Cambei should be the gold medal in the snatch (95), set with a European record, as she also took silver medals in the clean and jerk (114) and in the total (209).

Turkey’s representative Cansel Ozkan secured the third step of the podium, claiming three bronze medals across her three lifts.

The future prize winner lifted 92 kilograms in the snatch, 106 kilograms in the clean and jerk, and recorded a total of 198 kilograms.