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3. Powerlifting: Etienne el-Chaer, the Colossus from Jbeil, Strikes Gold on the World Stage

A year ago, he was the world runner-up. This time, he climbed to the very top of the podium. Lebanese powerlifter Etienne el-Chaer, 24, has won the world championship title in the under-120 kg category at the 2025 IPF Classic World Powerlifting Championships, held in Druskininkai, Lithuania.

The outcome is historic: with a total lift of 962.5 kg, Etienne el-Chaer dominated a breathtaking final, defying all expectations and claiming his first senior world title.

El-Chaer lifted 340 kg in squat, 232.5 kg in bench press (a personal record, +15 kg), and 390 kg in deadlift. Three lifts, three successful deadlifts. A perfectly executed performance, backed by steel-like mental fortitude.

The suspense lasted until the final attempt. Five contenders were in the running for the title that day: Britain’s Nonso Chinye (952.5 kg), USA’s Devin Williams (950.5 kg), Trinidad’s Joseph McDonald (945 kg), and another Briton, Abdul Majeed Sulayman (937.5 kg) — none gave in easily. But Etienne, calm, consistent, and strategic, knew how to lock in the win.

A Gold-Worthy Journey and an Already Stellar Career

The achievement is even more remarkable considering El-Chaer had a shaky start, missing his third squat attempt. But he bounced back brilliantly, especially with a bench press of 232.5 kg, a weight he had never lifted before in competition.

Already crowned junior world champion in 2023 (-120 kg category), and holder of junior world recordsin both the deadlift (378.5 kg) and total (926 kg), Etienne had already made a name for himself in the sport. In June 2024, he broke his first open world record with a 396 kg deadlift at his first all-category world championship. This year, he sealed the deal with a resounding senior world title.

Born in Jbeil and trained at Barbell House in Beirut, Etienne has been coached since day one by Shiva Karout, a prominent figure in Lebanese powerlifting and mentor to a rising generation, including promising athlete Joya Khairallah.

More Than a Title — A Symbol

Wearing a jersey emblazoned with the Lebanese flag, Etienne el-Chaer represents a strong, driven Lebanese youth, determined to make their country proud. His victory, set against the backdrop of a tense regional climate, is far more than a sporting result — it’s a message of hope and resilience.

In a sport as demanding as powerlifting — where every kilo lifted reflects months of sacrifice, discipline, and physical and mental pain — the Lebanese athlete has now entered the realm of legends. Etienne el-Chaer is no longer a rising promise: he is a champion.