Indonesian weightlifter Eko Yuli Irawan has killed two birds with one stone by winning a gold medal at the World Championship in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and breaking a world record.

Eko’s total lift came to 317 kilograms, comprising 174 kg in the clean and jerk and 143 kg in the snatch, breaking the record by 4 kg.

Team manager Soni Kasiran said the team had targeted 177 kg in the clean and jerk but changed the strategy once they learned that their closest rivals, China and Colombia, had failed at 172 kg.

“Once we found that out we changed our target to 174 kg,” he said as quoted by Antara.

Following in Eko’s wake were Chinese weightlifters Fabin Li and Fulin Qin whose combined lifts totaled 310 kg and 308 kg, respectively.

Alamsyah Wijaya of the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) said Eko’s success had been due to his excellent self-discipline and rigorous training.

“His achievements are the consequences of his professionalism as an athlete. The next big step for him to take is to keep this winning momentum up to and including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” Alamsyah told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Winning a gold medal at the Olympics has become Eko’s ultimate obsession after claiming silver in Rio in 2016 and bronze medals at the 2012 and 2008 events in London and Beijing, respectively.

Alamsyah also praised Eko’s flexibility as he was now competing in the under-61 kg category.

“He quickly adapts to new regulations and is very disciplined about it. He doesn’t spend his time complaining and would rather train. He is a role model for other weightlifters.”

Alamsyah added that the association had discussed limiting Eko’s participation in various competitions to avoid unnecessary problems that might hamper him from achieving his Olympic dream.

He said Eko would take part in at least five more competitions next year.

“The two competitions are at the world and Asian level, while the other three are silver categories. These are mandatory competitions that will pave his way to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

He said Eko would be 31 years old in 2020 and that he would still be in his prime.

“Eko has a wide array of skills, strategies and knowledge, besides power, and that makes him the strongest contender,” he said.

As a token of the association’s appreciation, Alamsyah added that it would reward Eko for his achievement.

“We will honor and appreciate his hard work and training. But it will be nothing compared to the cash bonuses handed out during the Asian Games,” he said.

Eko won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games where he lifted a total of 311 kg, comprising 141 kg in the snatch and 170 kg in the clean and jerk.

Erick Thohir, the Games’ chief organizer, said it was a rare moment for an athlete to peak twice in such a short time.

“This has been a rare phenomenon for a weightlifter to win two gold medals in such a short time. Eko even broke the world record,” Erick, who is also a media mogul and owner of several soccer clubs added.

Eko is part of a team of 11 weightlifters who are competing at the World Championship in Turkmenistan, which ends on Nov. 10.

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Eko’s achievements

* 2018: Gold medal at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra

* 2016: Silver medal at the Rio Olympics

* 2012: Bronze medal at the London Olympics

* 2008: Bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics

* 2007: Gold medal at the Thailand Southeast Asian (SEA) Games

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