Archive from 2017

PAWF Technical Officials’ Courses

Within the framework of the IWF Development Program, the Pan American Weightlifting Federation organized two Technical Officials’ Courses, one in Nicaragua and another in El Salvador. In both cases the lecturer was Ms. Maritza Ortiz from Dominican Republic (Member of the Technical Commission of PAWF and International Technical Official). All together there were more than 50 participants. The Courses included topics such as instance incorrect movements, athletes' outfit, roles of the Technical Officials and more. It was a great project mainly because the Central American Games will take place in Managua, Nicaragua in

Kangasniemi turned 76!

Kaarlo Olavi Kangasniemi is the first and only Olympic Champion weightlifter from Finland and he turned 76 this weekend!  He reached the peak of his career in Mexico City at the 1968 Olympic Games when he won with a Total of 517,5 kg (still three lifts to be performed at that time)  in the men’s 90 kg bodyweight category. He was also Gold Medallist in Warsaw, Poland in 1969, two times European Champion; only to mention his biggest achievements. Additionally he set multiple word records; four times in the press, seven times in snatch and five times in the clean and jerk, altogether 16 between 1968 and 1972. In 1969 he received the Best Lifter title and in 1998 he became Member of the IWF Weightlifting Hall of Fame. He also worked as coach and was Eurosport commentator.

Andrysek, Arsamakov and Kim all born on the same day!

What a coincidence! Three well known famous weightlifters were born on the same day - February 8th – however not in the same year! Franz ANDRYSEK – the first Olympic Champion in weightlifting from Austria – was born in 1906. In 1928, after the Snatch he ranked 4th, but he defeated everyone in the Clean and Jerk setting a record in the Total with 287,5 kg. He became Olympic Champion in men’s 60 kg bodyweight category in Amsterdam. He was born and died in Vienna on February 9th, 1981 – just one day after his 75th birthday. Israil ARSAMAKOV was also born on the same day 55 years ago. Olympic Champion in Soul in men’s 82,5 kg category, he also set a World Record under the Soviet flag. The Korean KYM Myong was born 48 years ago. The Democratic People's Republic of Korean World Champion achieved his biggest success in men’s 75 and 70 kg categories. He won his medals: Bronze in Barcelona at the 1992 Olympic Games and Silver in Atlanta at the 1996 Olympic

2016 Jenő Boskovics Award winners for Lifter of the Year revealed

The voting for the "Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year" awards launched by WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING involved a historic number of ballots cast for the 2016 edition. Nearly 38,000 votes arrived for the best male and female weightlifters! Thank you for your great interest and participation! In the women category, TANASAN Sopita (Thailand) became the winner with a good 1,200 votes ahead of the second best DENG Wei (China) and 2015 best HSU SHU-Ching (Chinese Taipei). A mere 55 votes decided between the latter two. As Best Lifter in 2016 among Men was voted ROSTAMI Kianoush (Iran) who drew an overwhelming 20,000 plus votes, three times more than runner up TALAKHADZE Lasha (Georgia). In third place RAHIMOV Nijat (Kazakhstan) with significantly less votes. Those who received votes are all heroes of the Rio Olympic Games. WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING editors and the IWF are preparing for a due presentation ceremony later during the year. Congratulations to the

Pan-American Junior Championships, Competitions documents

The documents for the Pan-American Junior Championships to be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador from 1 - 8 May, 2017 were uploaded. The Invitation and Regulations as well as all the forms are accessible through

Rudolf Faja passed away

It is our deep regret to inform the Weightlifting Family that Rudolf Faja from Czech Republic passed away recently after a long disease. He was Category 1 Technical Official and actively involved in many successful European and World Championships in Ostrava, Cheb, Sokolov, Prague and Havirov between 1987 and 2002. The IWF presents its sincere condolences to the Family of Mr. Rudolf Faja as well as to the Czech Weightlifting