Li Dayin Has A Big Problem

Li Dayin has a problem. Despite being a world champion and world record holder in weightlifting (-81kg) he is struggling to make it to the Olympics. To qualify, Li Dayin needs to gain around 8kg in bodyweight to fill out the 89kg category. Li Dayin already has a lot of muscle mass and can't gain any more. He has very low body fat percentage and so if he gains weight it will probably all be fat. So what should he do?

[secureyourgainz]

Such a TERRIBLE problem to have. Damn. I feel so bad for him.

[zitaowang]

He’s at 88.48kg last month, and broke the WC for snatch and total at 89kg level in Korea.🎉

[ChumblesMumbles]

It's a crime that the Olympics only has 5 categories for 2024. There were 7 in 2020 and even that didn't seem right, as the gap from 81 to 96 was huge.

[AfferbeckBeats]

People are missing the point that when he goes up, he goes against people who are simply bigger and more naturally suited to the weight class. Like Om Yun Chol at 56 being one of the greatest of all time, then not being able to medal at 61. His total stayed at about his average, and was up against 62s who snatch 10 kilos more and they only had to cut an extra kilo down to 61 and kept basically their strength. Like Seb said in the video, Li will be up against guys who C&J 10+kg more and he won't make up that much by being comfortably soft and not having to cut at all to make 89.

[rather-reverend]

I can TOTALLY relate to this poor guy. Like, here I am working on my MASSIVE 87.5 kg clean, but I can't concentrate cause all the girls at the gym are begging me to take me shirt off for their selfies. Very, very difficult for me. I'd be so much more elite if it weren't for my chiseled muscles and stunning good looks and amazing personality and endless humility.

(J/K, tho. Cool video!)


P.S. Ugh? Hello Internets?? This comment was NOT supposed to get 3 thousand likes??? I was being silly. ZERO "satire" intended, except as regards my own skinny, middle-aged arse. (Trust me, boys: Not even the Missus ever asked me for a shirt-free selfie.) Do watch the video, though. It's fascinating analysis - as ALWAYS with WLH ...

[ws]

I respectfully disagree. Li Dayin at 81kg is basically after he loses water. Normally he weighs like 86kg or 87kg in training. If you have a look at his training videos then his physique is even more mind-boggling. It’s actually Lu who couldn’t get more muscle mass. After Li arrived in Colombia my first impression was like “dude got smaller.” I wouldn’t worry about his bw but his ability to get the strength required for 89kg.

[juliawilliams]

When I was a very lean 63 I was strong. When the weigh classes changed, I went up to 67.5 very fast. I didn't gain that much muscle but I was still stronger, simply because of a calorie surplus and being able to recover better because of it. It's not just the muscle mass that makes a difference, its the sum total of having more everything at your disposal. I think he will do well at 89. His c&j will go up.

[PlayermakerBlue]

It’s insane that he looks like a bodybuilder without even training like one. Physique is optional for an athlete like him but he looks better than most ppl who live the bodybuilding lifestyle

[Игорь-рлы]

This is the situation where being closer to bodybuilding helps to understand the options. Li is not only clearly sub 10% bodyfat, he even looks almost dehydrated to a certain degree. Which means, that he only would have to gain maybe 2 or 3 kg of pure muscles, maybe the same amount stored in fat and the remaining couple of kilos as water. And he would still look like a bodybuilder couple weeks short of getting on stage. He should have more strength and his joints should be better as well!

[navskygupta]

It's individuals like him and Lu who can popularize weight lifting and bring much needed glamor to it

[michaelpeters]

The missing facet of this discussion is the Olympia titles an 89kg Li Dayin would bring China, regardless of his ability to eclipse the 215kg clean and jerk

[Faust_YT]

Man that is an insane looking physique and packs a lot of power too.
A true testament of hard work.

[jiv]

"there are plenty of olympic competitors without visible abs"
*Lasha has entered the chat*

[dustinl]

Who's here after Li Dayin broke the snatch and the total WR🙌

[insertname]

You know what, I have high hopes for him. Despite the fact that it appears that he’s hitting his genetic ceiling he still pushes forward and I respect that

[Al.j.Vasquez]

He might be an exception to the rule, most people can't truly give their 100% at a bodyfat level under 10%, so if he gains mostly fat, increasing to 15-16%, and maybe gaining just a little bit of muscle, he could qualify on the lower end for the 89 category and be at his 100%. Of course, it becomes extremely impractical for him to compete in that division, it is better for him to remain as the best 81 in the world, and not try to compete against 2 athletes that fit the category better.

[jnfe]

This is the exact amount of muscle that looks good and doesn't make you look like a meat head. He doesn't actually look overly huge at all. He looks fit. I'd take this any day over something like the size of Kali Muscle.

[Kirralee]

Too much muscle? Got womens team simping on him? What an absolute tragedy! I must shed a tear for this man. Sighhhh the world is indeed unfair 🤡

[jaxonsevero]

He’s so lean. In my opinion I wouldn’t be afraid of him gaining some fat. If anything it would aid his recovery and help his joints

[ryanreviews]

having a higher fat level say around 15% definitely does help with power so it's still possible for LDY to go up in weight and be competitive imo