Archive from 2012

Electoral Congress of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation

The Pan American Weightlifting Federation held its Electoral Congress yesterday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with the participation of 24 countries. Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President chaired the Meeting where the following officials were elected: President: Willian Ozuna (DOM) by acclamation General Secretary: Eddie Suarez (VEN) 1st Vice President: Rafael Pacho (CUB) Vice Presidents: Andrés Vargas (PUR) Horacio Reis (BRA) Luis Zambrano (ECU) Kyle Pierce (USA) Treasurer: Christian Harthey (CHI) Members of the Medical Committee, Technical Committee, and Scientific and Research Committee were also

Voting closed for the Best Lifter of 2011

The voting for the “Jeno Boskovics Lifter of the Year Challenge Trophy” closed today. Results will be revealed

Matthias Steiner: My little son fondles my leg

Moment of the Year by Emanuel Reinke The nightmare of Matthias Steiner came suddenly without any warning. In September in the training camp organized for the best German and French athletes in the French town of Vittel the superheavy gold medallist of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing had to stop training due his injury on his left knee, that forced him to walk on crutches. No training, no competitions, no weightlifting – for months. „After the surgery my pain was during the first two nights“, said Steiner to the Sport-Informations-Dienst (SID), by having missed the German championship and the World Championship as well. A terrifying fact for the sportsman, who trained the whole year with just the tournament of Paris on his mind. „I really wanted to become World Champion in November“, said the 2010 Clean and Jerk champion, who won't make the European Championship in Antalya in April also: „I'm not going to be fit and competitive enough", he said to a German TV station. Steiner’s goal for the New Year is different. „The Olympics in London are very realistic. And I am absolutely focusing on it“, said the 29-year old Steiner, who became world famous for one of the most emotional moments in Beijing 2008, when he presented a photography of his deceased wife at the award ceremony. Today Steiner is married again with the former German tv-host Inge Posmyk, and his little son who was born in 2010. Besides the pain, the surgery and the sleepless nights, there is something good for the Austrian born Steiner, who got the German citizenship in the beginning of 2008. Now he finally has a lot of time to spend with his family. „I really enjoy it. The little boy always climbs on me. And if he comes too close to my leg, I just say 'Daddy oouch', and he starts to fondle my leg“, said Steiner. Emanuel Reinke, Sport-Informations-Dienst Send your Most Memorable Moment of 2011 to Dezso Dobor, IWF Media Officer ([email protected]) or the IWF Secretariat in order to be

Last day to vote for your favourites!

We are nearing the finish of the 2011 Best Lifter voting. If you want to help your favourites in 2011 to win the Jeno Boskovics Lifter of the Year Trophy tis is your last chance to submit your ballot

My son made me proud

Moment of the Year by Horacio Reis Four years ago, the Pan American Games were held on home soil, in Rio de Janeiro. Fernando Reis was just 17 and participated in an experiment to become a real athlete. Well, we knew that to continue we have to change everything, namely the trainer and the system of trainings. We had a completely different way to run. It was a crucial moment in our lives, a real challenge. We lived every day as prepared to battle. Then Fernando went to train with Luis Fernando Lopez in Ecuador for 40 days, at an altitude of 2,700 meters. They worked hard seven hours per day. After this intense period, Fernando had his trainings in Chile. It was a tough year. In 2010 Fernando began his studies at the University in the USA. He participated in his first South American Games in Medellin (Colombia) getting a silver medal. This medal reinforced that we were on the right track. The results began to appear and Fernando collected bronze medal at the Junior World Championship in Sofia (Bulgaria). A World Championships medal for Brazil, neither in soccer or judo, nor in volleyball or swimming but in weightlifting! At the National College Championships and American Open Fernando performed very well, winning them all. The next task of 2011 was a really big challenge: Pan American Games, in Guadalajara (Mexico). Fernando locked the enrollment at the university in order to devote himself to hard preparation in Brazil for a period of six months with an intense training. Embarked on a mission to Guadalajara, hardest of our lives, bringing a medal for Brazil. Fernando competed as never before. He was almost perfect. It was gold. As team leader and Fernando’s father I was so proud of his devotion and achievement as he could reach this level. No doubt this was the most memorable moment of 2011, for me. HORACIO REIS Diretor do Depto.de Lev. de Peso do ECP Vice-Presidente da Conf. Brasileira Send your Most Memorable Moment of 2011 to Dezso Dobor, IWF Media Officer ([email protected]) or the IWF Secretariat in order to be

The IWF and weightlifting mourns the loss of Dr.Asghar Shahabi

After a lengthy and serious illness, Dr. Asghar Shahabi died yesterday, a month before his 70th birthday, in his home town, Tabriz, Iran. A Member of the IWF Medical Committee since 1988, as an orthopaedic surgeon, Head of his clinic, Dr. Shahabi was a renowned and enthusiastic expert; Iran's team and Olympic Committee doctor; a doctor on duty at Olympic and Asian Games, World and Asian Championships and an array of other events. As a Chairman of the AWF Medical Committee and an expect in weightifting, he served the sport in many courses and events. Dr. Shahabi was not only a central figure of the sport but as a kind, gentle and helpful person he also made himself indispensable and a great friend of many people all over the world. He got suddenly hospitalized while working at an Asian event in Thailand and was later transported to Iran but practically he has been in serious condition ever since until he finally deceased last night. He leaves a great void in the sport and in our hearts. The IWF offers its condolences to the Family, the Iranian Federation and Olympic