At the 2025 European Weightlifting Championships, all eyes were on Mihaela Cambei – and she didn’t disappoint.
With a strategic shift in her opening lift and a dominant clean and jerk, Cambei not only secured her fourth European title but showcased her versatility, experience, and competitive intelligence on the platform.
The victory places her in rare company and further solidifies her legacy in the sport.
Here’s how Mihaela Cambei managed to stay on top, the moves that caught everyone’s attention, and what her performance means for the future of European women’s weightlifting.
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Cambe’s Calculated Opener Showcases Veteran Wisdom
Opting to open with 97 kg in the snatch, Cambei made a surprising—but smart—decision by lowering her starting weight. It’s not something lifters of her caliber typically do, but Cambe’s experience dictated the choice.
“She’s never missed an opener,” as the commentators highlighted, underlining her consistency. Making this change proved to be a wise move after learning from previous snatches.
Competing in her 15th international event, Cambei prioritized a no-miss opener over showing off dominance early. It worked. The lift looked easy, solidifying her foundation and putting her in control for what would become another victorious campaign.
Clean and Jerk Seals the Deal—Yet Again
With her snatch behind her, Cambei transitioned to the clean and jerk with cool confidence. She opened with a comfortable 100 kg. The lift was clean, explosive, and technically sound—traits that have become synonymous with her lifting style.
But it was her final attempt at 105 kg that truly brought the crowd to life. Cambei mounted the platform knowing her title was secured but went for the extra five kilos “for the beautiful pictures,” as the commentators joked. And she delivered—another clean lift, another golden moment to remember.
The 105 kg lift brought her total to 190 kg, a full 17 kilos ahead of the silver medalist. Although it’s 20 kg below her all-time best, it was more than enough to maintain dominance in a competitive field.
Meanwhile, a Mixed Bag for Rising Contenders
While Cambei continued to thrive, others faced a bittersweet night. Agor, a lifter competing for Serbia, delivered a nail-biting clean and jerk to improve her standings from a potential bronze in clean and jerk to a silver. With that performance, Serbia captured bronze in the total—a significant milestone reminiscent of Zoltán Kovács’ medal back in the ’90s.
As one commentator quipped, “Have we seen a Serbian medal in a while? No.” The historical context made the achievement even more poignant.
Not everyone walked away satisfied. Stratidaki, a youth lifter with serious potential, narrowly missed grabbing a medal. With two missed lifts, her dream of becoming a European medalist will have to wait—but her physical ability was evident. “She just wasn’t ready with her mind,” one of the analysts pointed out. Her potential remains high heading into future competitions.
Four-Time Champion and Still Climbing
This victory marks Mihaela Cambei’s fourth European Championship title, having previously won in 2021, 2023, 2024, and now 2025. Each of her performances emphasizes not just brute strength but also mental discipline, experience-based decision-making, and impeccable technical execution.
“Even on her worst day, she’s still miles ahead of the rest,” a commentator remarked, referring to the 17-kilo margin between her and the silver medalist.
Cambe’s fitness, focus, and competitive savvy make her the clear frontrunner for years to come. Some believe she could maintain her reign over the category for at least another five years.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for European Weightlifting
Mihaela Cambei’s dominance highlights a growing gap between seasoned champions and the rising generation. While her continued success is inspiring, it also sends a clear message to up-and-comers: strategy and experience matter just as much as strength.
The emergence of lifters like Agor and Stratidaki shows the future is bright but also competitive. National programs will need to invest more into development pipelines if they want to seriously challenge Cambe’s reign in future meets.
Key Takeaways
- Mihaela Cambei secured her fourth European Championship with a total of 190 kg.
- She approached the competition using veteran strategy, starting conservatively and finishing strong.
- The clean and jerk remains her strongest asset, demonstrated with a dominant 105 kg third attempt.
- New contenders are making waves, including Serbia’s return to the podium after decades.
- Younger athletes like Stratidaki show promise but will need more mental preparation to capitalize on their physical gifts.
Final Thoughts
With her name now echoing through weightlifting history, Mihaela Cambei isn’t just a champion—she’s a blueprint. For athletes, coaches, and fans alike, she offers a masterclass in how to win with no room for error. The message is clear: in a sport that challenges every fiber of your body and mind, nothing beats experience, mental resilience, and flawless execution.
European weightlifting watchers should prepare themselves. This era belongs to Mihaela Cambei – and it doesn’t look like she’s leaving the stage anytime soon.
