Archive from 2014

Over ten thousand people lifted weightlifting barbell for the first time in Kazakhstan

Over ten thousand people attended the Open Weightlifting Class taking place on 6 July in all regional centers of Kazakhstan. The population welcome the event with great interest and enthusiasm. Both adults and children took part in practicing weightlifting while trying to get familiar with a professional training technique. Professional weightlifters held demonstrations and a friendly competition was organized for members of the audience “who lifts the heaviest weight”. Women also participated in the event and got familiar with the weightlifting barbell and the world of heavy weights. Professional trainers and specialists supervised the event and some of the most experienced weightlifters shared valuable instructions and tips with beginners. The main goal of promoting healthy lifestyle and popularizing weightlifting among the people has been successfully reached by the organizers. Great emotions and friendly atmosphere characterized the event and invaluable knowledge related to training methods and technique was transmitted to the participants by coaches. All participants were invited to attend the 2014 IWF World Championships Almaty, KAZ to be held on 8-16 November 2014 being an Olympic Qualification event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “It was the first time when we organized an Open Weightlifting Class and I must note that the number of people who showed interest in trying to lift weightlifting barbell exceeded our expectations. Each and every one expressed desire to test their abilities, which was greatly supported by demonstrations held by real professionals, knowledge exchange and motivation. Young generation had a chance to experience that weightlifting is an exciting and interesting sport. A lot of people expressed their desire to continue to be actively engaged in weightlifting, - says Marat Mussin, Executive Secretary of the Weightlifting Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Source: Weightlifting Federation of the Republic of

IWF Grand Prix 2014 President’s Cup Noyabrsk

IWF Grand Prix – 4th Russian President’s Cup will be held from 5-8 September 2014 in Noyabrsk, Russia at the Sports Center “ZENIT". The athletes will be invited to compete in the following bodyweight categories: Men 94kg, 105kg, +105kg Women 75kg, +75kg In each bodyweight category maximum 12 athletes are allowed to compete: 8 athletes are invited according to the IWF Ranking Lists (excluding Russian athletes) 2 athletes representing Russia upon approval by the President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation 2 athletes by individual applications subject to Russian Weightlifting Federation’s decision Winners according to the Total result in each bodyweight category will be awarded with Prize Money as follows: First place: 5 000 USD Second place: 3 000 USD Third place: 2 000 USD Any athlete setting up a new Senior World Record will be awarded with the following bonus: Snatch: 3 000 USD Clean & Jerk: 3 000 USD Total: 6 000 USD The Russian President’s Cup is a Qualification Event for the Rio 2016 Olympic

Australia and New Zealand to take part in 2015 Pacific Games

Australia and New Zealand are to take part in next year's Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, making it Oceania's first truly Continental Games. It will be the first time the two countries have taken part in the Games since they started in 1963. The Pacific Games Council (PGC) rubber-stamped a proposal to allow Australia and New Zealand to take part in four sports - rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting - at its General Assembly in Port Moresby. The announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Robin Mitchell, President of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), and Vidya Lakhan, chairman of the PGC. Oceania was the only region without a Continental Games and athletes from the region had to go to other competition and regions to try and qualify for the Olympics. Lakhan has assured the 22 member countries that as they move forward, they will always protect the interest and rights of the member countries. Weightlifting is present at all Continental Games except for the European Games. Source:

Ildar Khalikov met with Dr. Tamas Ajan

Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov met with President of International Weightlifting Federation Dr. Tamas Ajan at Tatarstan Government House. During the meeting, Tamas Ajan thanked Tatarstan leadership for developing the weightlifting in Russian and worldwide, as well as for holding the World Championship among juniors up to 20 years old at the highest level. Ildar Khalikov and Tamas Ajan discussed prospects of holding new large international weightlifting competitions in Kazan. Tamas Ajan said that the International Weightlifting Federation is willing to consider Kazan as a candidate to host the World Championship among men and women in 2017-2018. Ildar Khalikov, in his turn, pointed out that after the Universiade Kazan is able to host competitions of the highest level. Tatarstan Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Rafis Burganov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation Sergey Syrtsov and Senior Coach of junior weightlifting Russian team Nikolay Kolesnikov took part in the meeting. Source:

2014 IWF Junior World Championships Kazan overall

The 2014 IWF Junior World Championships Kazan, Russia ended with great medal distribution: 12 countries won Gold Medals while 22 countries from 4 continents won Medals at the competition. Altogether 109 Women from 30 countries participated while for Men it was 135 lifters from 40 countries. According to the Team classification, the first 6 best performing Men and Women Team stood up on stage during the Closing Ceremony to receive a special award. Women Team Classification: RUS, ECU, CHN, COL, UKR, MEX. Men Team Classification: RUS, POL, COL, ECU, JPN, MEX. The one and only World Record at the 2014 IWF Junior World Championships was set by the Vietnamese lifter THACH Kim Tuan in the Men’s 56kg bodyweight category. He broke the Junior World Records in Snatch as well as in Total. The IWF Media Trophy of “Best Lifter” within Men went to THACH Kim Tuan (VIE) while the “Best Women” Trophy was awarded to AKHMETOVA Diana (RUS). We were delighted to witness great fights and happy surprises as well as unfortunate defeats. On behalf of the IWF we are thankful to the Russian Organizing Committee and to Mr. Sergey Syrtsov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation and for providing successful Championships. For more details please consult the RESULT BOOK and check out the Photo

NOCs participating at the 2014 Nanjing YOG

The list of NOCs participating at the 2014 Nanjing YOG has been finalized. The qualification events concluded on 31 May 2014 with the Oceania competition. Universality places were previously allocated to the eligible NOCs and the process concluded with the reallocations strictly in line with the IOC approved Qualification Regulation. Altogether 64 NOCs from all 5 continents will participate with 110 athletes. The List can be found