News

Dear Members of the global weightlifting community,

As we close an extraordinary year for our sport, I am delighted to reflect on 2025 – a historic year for the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). This year we celebrated 120 years of the IWF, a remarkable milestone since our foundation on 10 June 10, 1905, in Duisburg, Germany. What began as a body to establish rules and organise competitions has grown into a global platform inspiring millions of athletes and fans worldwide.

Importantly, earlier this year we held our electoral Congress, reaffirming our commitment to serve our athletes and National Federations and to protect their interests as we continue to grow our sport together.

One of the highlights of the year was the IWF World Championships in Førde, Norway, where nearly 500 athletes from 87 nations competed and set 40 new world records. The event showcased the heart of our sport: courage and unity. From Solfrid Koanda lifting her way to a world title on home soil, to Jon Mau, returning to competition after chemotherapy, and athletes from emerging nations showing remarkable progress, the World Championships captured the very best of weightlifting. The local community, volunteers and His Majesty King Harald V of Norway ensured the event’s success and created an unforgettable atmosphere for all.

Weightlifting’s influence continues to grow globally. This year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved additional bodyweight categories for LA 2028 and we were confirmed in the core sports programme of the Centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games reflecting the sport’s ongoing development and recognition. Collaborations such as the weightlifting activation campaign in Manama, Bahrain, during the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final, brought the sport to new audiences and highlighted its appeal across regions and other sports.

Beyond competitions, we strengthened the foundations of our Federation. The IWF/ITA Clean Sport Education seminars gathered over 320 participants from five continents, reinforcing our commitment to fair play. Our Board made key decisions on the IWF By-laws, International Coaching Licence programme, long-term partnerships and upcoming events, including preparations for the IWF World Championships in Ningbo, China, in 2026.

The IOC has also had an important year, and we have greatly enjoyed working with the new President, Kirsty Coventry, and engaging with other members of the Olympic Movement. Initiatives like “Fit for the Future” help us promote Olympic values around the world and we look forward to continuing our support in this area.

Looking ahead, the future of weightlifting is bright. In 2026, in addition to our Senior, Junior and Youth World Championships, we will see exciting championships across our continental confederations, and continued collaboration across the Olympic Movement as we prepare for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. We will continue to work hard to create opportunities for participation, inspiring communities and uniting people through the power of our sport, whether that is competitively or recreationally.

To every athlete, coach, official, fan, partner and stakeholder who has contributed to the success of weightlifting in 2025: THANK YOU!

I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2026.

Mohammed Jalood
IWF President