Archive from 2017

Olympic Champion René Duverger was born 106 years ago

He started his career as a football player until he switched his interest to weightlifting at the age of 16. René Duverger was among the alltogether 10 French Olympic Champions. He was born 106 years ago on January 30th, was 164cm tall but compared to his stature - still a very strong character. By the age of 19, he became an internationally recognized weightlifter, who won a silver medal in 1930 at the European Championships. His biggest achievement was a Olympic Gold Medal at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games in the men’s 67,5 kg category. Later he won silver and bronze medals at the European Championships; and he finished seventh at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games. Mr. Duverger became the best at the French Championships between 1930 and 1945 ten times. After retirement he was the General Secretary of the French Weightlifting Federation and continued to inspire the youth in getting engaged with weightlifting. He passed away at the age of

Updated Sinclair Coefficients available

The updated Sinclair Coefficients for 2017 – 2020 are available here. Considering the contradiction following the abolishment of the bodyweight advantage, the IWF is investigating an alternative system that could provide a more objective solution to compare athletes’ results in the different bodyweight

One more day!

Who is your favorite one? Last day to cast your vote on the "Jenő Boskovics Lifter of the Year Trophies for 2016”. You can submit your vote in the following link.  Good

Zhabotinsky the strongest Ukrainian was born 79 years ago

Leonid Ivanovych Zhabotinsky who was born on the 28 January 1938 and died on 14 January 2016, was one of the biggest characters in weightlifting. He has achieved his biggest accomplishments under the Soviet Union flag. The outstanding giant weightlifter born in Uspenka received two Olympic Gold Medals and set World Records another 19 times between 1963 and 1974. He started his weightlifting career in 1957 at the Ukrainian Championships and after retirement he continued as a coach in Madagascar. Zhabotinsky was an idol and example for the young Arnold Schwarzenegger as well. The 194cm tall, 163kg weightlifter was the flagbearer for the Soviet Union Team at the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games. He had outstanding results from the World Championships as well; four times World Champions, two times European Champions. As a professional recognition until today he is the greatest and strongest weightlifter in the Ukraine

RFWF President meeting with IWF President

Maxim Agapitov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation (RFWF) paid a visit to Budapest in order to have discussion with Dr. Tamas Ajan, President. They addressed relevant topics of the future of weightlifting. Dr. Ajan was informed that the RFWF withdrew the appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision taken by the IWF Executive Board on 22 June 2016 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Read more on

Development Program 2016 Donations

In the framework of the IWF Development Program 2016, equipment was donated to several countries. The Member Federations applied for support last year and received brand new equipment including barbell sets or weightlifting costume, shoes, belts. The IWF is glad that equipment is used already in Austria, Guyana, Italy and Jordan with great