Archive from 2014

Gottfried Schödl 90!

Today, the Weightlifting Family celebrates Gottfried Schödl (AUT), IWF Honorary Life President's 90th birthday. Since 1964 on the IWF Executive Board, Mr. Schödl  became President of the Intrnational Weightlifting Federation in 1972 and remained in this position until 2000. As one of the most significant leaders in international sports, he left his fingerprint on the Federation and the sport of weightlifting. He was also honoured by the IOC with the Olympic Order and is naturally a founding Member of the Weightlifting Hall of Fame. Happy Birthday, Mr.

IWF President recognized by the CGF

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Mike Hooper gave a token of appreciation to IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan in recognition of his contribution and commitment to the Commonwealth Games over the last 10 editions in row he participated in. The Commonwealth Games is the 2nd biggest Multisport (Multi Regional) Games after the Olympic Games. Weightlifting is a core sport included on the Programme since Auckland 1950. Glasgow 2014 is the 20th Commonwealth Games and IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan participates in its 10th edition in row. Being the biggest Commonwealth Games ever, Weightlifting is represented with 235 athletes from 37 nations. Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is a Qualification event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games only in weightlifting sport. The IWF highly appreciates the CGF`s will to cooperate closely with the IWF. Dr. Tamas Ajan said: “Glasgow 2014 is the friendliest Games I have experienced so far and the Weightlifting competition is a real

Gold and two CG Records for England

SMITH Zoe (ENG) won one of the most enthralling weightlifting contests yet at Glasgow 2014 as all three top lifters in the Women’s 58kg broke Commonwealth Games Records. MANSOR Mohd Hafifi (MAS) later followed up his Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal at Delhi 2010 with Gold in the Men’s 69kg Women’s 58kg The 20 year old SMITH won her duel with veteran BREEZE Michaela (WAL) who set a new Snatch record of 93kg on her way to Bronze after coming out of retirement for the Games. Silver Medallist WINIFRED Ndidi (NGR) broke the Clean and Jerk record, before seeing it taken away from her with a new mark of 118kg by SMITH whose Total of 210kg was also a Commonwealth Games Record. SMITH had previously won a Bronze at Delhi 2010. Men’s 69kg MANSOR, 23, lifted 135kg in the Snatch and 170kg in the Clean and Jerk to back up his No. 18 world ranking with a Total of 305kg. AYENUWA Yinka (NGR) ensured it wasn’t a runaway victory with a last lift of 171kg in the Clean and Jerk to take Silver, Nigeria’s second weightlifting medal of Glasgow 2014. OTARI Omkar (IND) led after the Snatch, with the Indian making a faultless progression up to 136kg. But his single failure, on his last attempt of 162kg in the Clean and Jerk, left him to settle for Bronze with 296kg overall. There was a surprise exit for Sri Lanka’s VIDANAGE Chinthana (SRI), who had been one of the favourites. VIDANAGE took Silver at Delhi 2010 but failed in all three Snatch attempts of 127kg to be knocked out of the

AMALAHA (NGR) becomes youngest Commonwealth weightlifting winner as Cyprus celebrates first Gold

A masterful performance from 16 year old AMALAHA Chika (NGR) in the women’s 53kg gave Nigeria its first Gold Medal of Glasgow 2014 as she became the youngest women to win a weightlifting title at the Commonwealth Games. Cyprus took its first Gold Medal in history as MINASIDIS Dimitris (CYP) defeated a strong field in the men’s 62kg at the Clyde Auditorium. Women’s 53kg AMALAHA equalled the Commonwealth Games Snatch Record of 82kg with ease in her very first lift before going to set a new Record of 85kg and a new Games Best Total of 196kg. It denied Gold to TOUA Dika (PNG), who had been the first women to compete in weightlifting at the Olympics when she opened the competition at Sydney 2000. The Melbourne Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist was forced to attempt 115kg to win in her final Clean and Jerk, but had to settle for Silver again. She did, however, set a new Commonwealth Games Record of 111kg in the Clean and Jerk. Third place was awarded to the Indian lifter MATSA Santoshi. Men’s 62kg MINASIDIS confidently defeated a strong field of Oceania and Asia lifters to win Cyprus’s first weightlifting medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and his first senior Gold. The 25 year old former European Championships silver Medallist posted the highest lift in the Snatch with 125kg and hoisted 151kg at the second attempt in the Clean and Jerk for a comfortable win. Delhi 2010 Bronze Medallist PEIRIS Sudesh (SRI) took Silver ahead of IOANE Vaipava (SAM). IOANE needed 158kg on his final attempt to overhaul PEIRIS on bodyweight but went for 160kg instead and failed to complete it. EVANS Gareth (WAL) competed in Group B, but his Total of 268kg saw him finish fifth behind BARU Morea (PNG) and just 3 kilos off a podium

India’s superb start at Glasgow 2014

Altogether 235 athletes from 37 countries will compete in the weightlifting event that lasts 8 days. Media are celebrating India's "rollicking start" at the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday. India won a total of seven medals on the opening day with weightlifters KHUMUKCHAM Sanjita Chanu and DEY Sukhen securing a gold each in weightlifting. In the Women’s 48kg bodyweight category KHUMUKCHAM Sanjita Chanu had no opponents and won India's first gold medal at Glasgow 2014. In her last Clean & Jerk attempt, CHANU SAIKHOM Mirabai (IND) could grab the victory from her compatriot but missed her lift on 98kg. She was awarded the Silver. Bronze Medallist OPARA Nkechi (NGR) lifted 11kg less than the gold medal winner. Men’s 56kg bodyweight category brought a second victory for India as DEY Sukhen won the competition with 248kg. Second place went to the Malaysian lifter MD PISOL Zulhelmi (MAS). Weightlifting proved to be very profitable for India as MALI Ganesh bagged a bronze with a Total of

Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony gets Commonwealth Games off to uniquely Scottish start

By Gary Anderson insidethegames at Celtic Park in Glasgow An extravaganza of music, dance and celebration got the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games off to a spectacular start here at Celtic Park tonight as the people of Glasgow and Scotland put on a party like only they can to start the 20th edition of the Games. While quite rightly it will be the exploits of the athletes that will be the centre of attention over the next 11 days, there were stars of a different kind on show tonight as Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly, Susan Boyle and 71 Highland Terriers lit up the occasion here. While Stewart, Boyle and other artists including Amy McDonald and local dance groups entertained the packed stands it was the little terriers who led each of the 71 teams into a into Celtic Park during the Athletes Parade that were a particular favourite and a uniquely Scottish touch. In a break from tradition the teams were welcomed on by their region rather than in alphabetical order as part of a unique UNICEF campaign that was cleverly woven into the night's proceedings. Continuing on the theme of the six regions the Commonwealth Games Federation Flag was carried by Canadian Paralympic champion Chantal Peticlerc, Australian Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe, Jamaica's Olymic and world sprint champion Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Malaysian Nicol David, Kenya's Olympic champion Kip Keino and Scotland's former world and European judo champion, Graeme Randall. Then came the moment that everyone was waiting for as the Queen's Baton finally made its way into Celtic Park were Hoy bounded up to the platform to present it to the Queen. "The Baton Relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family," said the Queen. "And now, that Baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements, for the warmth of its people, for this Opening Ceremony of the Friendly Games." The Queen went on to wish good luck to all the athletes taking part in competition and to thank the organisers, volunteers and workforce who made the Games possible. She concluded: "It now gives me great pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open." Source: