The turning point came when Qasim secured the gold in the men's 96kg event with his third consecutive successful lift at 175kg, causing Karim Abokahla of Egypt to slide into second place.

To mark his achievement, Qasim knelt, offered prayers, kissed the barbell, and sat on the weightlifting discs. This marked Iraq's most significant weightlifting accomplishment since Abdul-Wahid Aziz secured a lightweight bronze medal at the 1959 World Championships, which he then followed up with another bronze at the 1960 Olympics.

The World Championship took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. According to the Iraqi Weightlifting Federation, Qasim Hassan, the Iraqi weightlifter, clinched the coveted gold medal in the snatch event by lifting 96 kg.

In just his second competition, Qasim achieved something remarkable: his nation secured its first-ever position at the top of the podium in any Olympic sport during a World Championship.

“I was so, so happy,” said Qasim, 23. “The best result in the history of Iraq weightlifting – it makes me so proud.”

The historic revelation was shared by Mohammed Kadhim Mazal, the president of the Iraqi Weightlifting Federation, stating, "Iraqi weightlifter Qasim Hassan, weighing 96 kilograms, secured the first-place gold medal in the snatch event by lifting 175 kilograms at the World Championship being fiercely contested in Riyadh."

He provided additional clarification that

"this achievement marks a historic first in the sport of weightlifting."

In relation to the current situation in Saudi Arabia, Mazal expressed positivity, stating, "We eagerly await the results of the clean and jerk competition, and we hope for further joyful outcomes."

He expressed his sincere congratulations to Iraq's weightlifting community and acknowledged that the Olympic Committee, the Federation, coaches, and athletes had all worked together to achieve this incredible feat.