Objective To develop a foot-weightlifting shoe coupling model to explore how changes in midsole materials influence the biomechanics of the foot during the force generation phase of the snatch. The goal is to optimize key parameters of weightlifting shoe design to reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries in athletes. Methods A finite element model of the foot-weightlifting shoe system was constructed and simulated using finite element analysis (FEA). Biomechanical methods were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data from the snatch movement, and statistical analysis was employed to validate the model's accuracy. Comparative analyses were then conducted to assess the effects of different midsole materials on plantar stress distribution, skeletal stress, soft tissue stress, and midsole strain during the force generation phase. Results When the Young's modulus of the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) midsole was set to 20 MPa, the peak plantar stress on the athlete's foot was minimized. However, as the Young's modulus of the TPU midsole increased, the peak plantar stress also rose. Skeletal stress was primarily concentrated in the third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals, with a peak stress observed at the fourth metatarsal. Additionally, increasing the midsole's Young's modulus led to a decrease in peak stress in the metatarsal region, an increase in peak soft tissue stress, and a reduction in midsole strain. Conclusions Midsole materials with moderate hardness, specifically a Young's modulus of 20-25 MPa, show advantages in reducing plantar pressure and preventing bone injuries in the foot and ankle.