Cluj-napoca: Taiwanese powerlifter Chiang Kai-chieh clinched a gold medal in the men's 83 kilograms event at the 2025 IPF World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Romania. His remarkable performance was highlighted by a deadlift of 332.5 kilograms, the heaviest in his weight class.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chiang surpassed Ukraine's Vitalii Kolomiiets, the overall champion in the 83 kg category, by 12.5 kilograms in the deadlift to secure the gold. Chiang achieved his winning lift on his third attempt, having initially lifted 320 kg and then increasing to 330 kg.

In addition to his deadlift success, Chiang earned a bronze medal in the squat with a lift of 350 kg. His combined efforts, including a 227.5 kg bench press, resulted in a total weight of 910 kg, placing him third overall behind Ukraine's Kolomiiets and Mykola Barannik.

Prior to this event, Chiang had already made headlines by winning a gold medal in deadlift at the World Games in Chengdu, China. His 342.5 kg lift at this competition further demonstrated his strength in the deadlift.

Taiwan's team, consisting of eight male and eight female powerlifters, has accumulated seven gold, nine silver, and six bronze medals at the 2025 championships in Romania. Among these athletes, Lin Yi-chun emerged as the 2025 World Champion in the men's 59 kg class with a total lift of 712.5 kg. Hsieh Tsung-ting also achieved recognition as the overall runner-up in the men's 66 kg category.

President Lai Ching-te applauded the achievements of the Taiwanese powerlifters, encouraging them to continue their efforts to bring honor to Taiwan.