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World and Olympic medallists in the line up – 2017 IWF JWC Japan

The 2017 IWF Junior World Championships kicked off today in Tokyo. A Total of 265 (108 Women / 157 Men) athletes from 50 countries started their competition the capital city of Japan. Women will represent 31 countries while the number will be 45 for Men. Since the first Junior competition hosted by Marseille in 1975, the record number of countries represented was led by the 2007 IWF Junior World Championships Prague, CZE with 49, which now Tokyo exceeded by one. Junior Women events are held since 1995, and the 2011 competition organized in Penang, MAS is leading the way with 120 participants while with 32 countries, the 2000 Prague still remains undefeated. The oldest participants are 20 while the youngest ones were born in 2002. Juniors are mostly organized in Europe, however Pan-America, Asia and Africa also hosted such events. Sofia welcomed the competition three times while it was held twice in both Athens, Prague, Warsaw and Lignano-Sabbiadoro. Athletes competing here in Japan already proved their talent in the senior age-groups as well. Speaking about quality, we’ll be able to witness lifters such as the 2016 Junior World Champion SUKCHAROEN Thunya (THA) 48 kg, the 2016 Junior and Senior African Champion LANDOULSI Nouha (TUN) 53 kg and 4th place at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and 2016 Junior Champion KOHA Rebekka (LAT) 58 kg. Two-times Youth World Champion PALACIOS DAJOMES Angie Paola will represent Equador with her teammate and 2016 Junior World Champion DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia. Silver Medallist at the 2017 European Championships KISIL Valentina (UKR) will compete in the 90kg bodyweight category while 2014 Youth Olympic Champion CHAIDEE Duangaksorn will try to win the Junior Champion title in the +90kg. Men’s category will showcase 2016 Junior Asian Championships Bronze medallist LAI Gia Thanh (VIE) 56kg and 2015 Youth World Champion LIN Zhixiang (CHN) 62kg. The Men’s 69kg competition is expected to be the most exciting thanks to the potential duel between two-times Youth World Champion, 2016 Junior World Champion CUMMINGS JR Clarence (USA) and his number one rival, 2015 Youth World Champion MOSQUERA LOZANO Jose David (COL). LOPEZ LOPEZ Yeison (COL), Youth World Record holder and 2016 Junior World Champion is expected to show an outstanding performance in the 77kg bodyweight category. The 94kg bodyweight category has many excellence athletes: 2016 Junior European Championships Bronze Medallist PYROHOV Kyrylt (UKR), this year’s Asian Champion, last year's Junior World Champion SOBIROV Farkhodbets (UZB) and the 2016 Junior World Championships third BEIRALVAND Reza (IRI). 105kg will include GASPARYAN Samvel (ARM), KHETSURIANI Dato (GEO) while in the +105kg, we’ll see 2016 Rio Olympic Games Silver Medallist as well as World and European Champion MARTIROSYAN Simon (ARM). We’ll keep you

IWF Congress in Tokyo, JPN

Congress delegates received information on the decisions taken by the IWF Executive Board. An update in the latest IWF Anti-Doping Policy was also presented to the countries present. Reports on the preparation of future events were also delivered: 2017 Universiade Taipei, TPE 2017 IWF World Championships Anaheim, USA 2019 IWF World Championships Pattaya, THA 2020 Olympic Games Tokyo, JPN With regard to the IOC decision, the IWF Congress ratified the action plan accepted by the IWF Executive Board yesterday. The action plan includes measures as follows: The establishment of the two specific working groups Anti-Doping Sport program The main topics for the groups to reflect on will be: Gender equality New Events Bodyweight categories for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Athlete quota Qualification System These working groups will be composed of high profile experts and will make recommendations to be presented to the IWF Executive Board. As part of the action plan an extraordinary Executive Board meeting is scheduled for

IWF Executive Board statement reflecting on the IOC decision

Following the IOC decision dated 9 June 2017, the IWF Executive Board met in Tokyo and discussed the issues raised. The Olympic movement and weightlifting was indeed shocked by the result of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games reanalysis and we recognize our responsibility as governing body of the Olympic sport of weightlifting. Stating that the IWF has always been fighting with determination against doping and those willing to affect the integrity of weightlifting sport, the Executive Board is this time again ready to adopt immediate actions and sanctions. As a first result of the open discussion, the Executive Board confirms that a high level task force will recommend the different measures and initiatives to accomplish the due goals. Recognizing that there is always way for improvement, the IWF aims to strengthen the collaboration between the IOC, NOCs and Member Federations that is vital for an effective common fight and prevent such situations. We are one - with the same message: united behind our sport! IWF Executive

IWF Executive Board Meeting in Tokyo, JPN

Yoshiyuki Miyake, Japan Weightlifting Association President was invited to join the Members of the IWF Executive Board ex officio with no voting power as a Liaison person in view of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Gustavo Malgor, Argentina Weightlifting Federation President was invited to join the Members of the IWF Executive Board ex officio with no voting power as a Liaison person in view of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. After discussions, the Executive Board confirmed that the 2018 IWF Junior World Championships will be held in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on condition that they satisfy at the highest level the special conditions to be set by the IWF. The IWF Executive Board appointed the Chairmen for the Committees: Technical Committee Chairman: Nicu Vlad, Vice President Medical Committee Chairman: Dr. Michael Irani, Executive Board Member Coaching and Research Committee Chairman: Mahmoud Mahgoub, Executive Board Member Following the recent Electoral Congress, the IWF Executive Board elected 3 additional Members to each Committee: Technical Committee: Mustafa Mahdi, IRQ Sirilak Thatman, THA Pedro Torres, VEN Medical Committee: Dominik Dörr, LUX Parameth Ladpli, THA Fathi Masmoudi, TUN Coaching and Research Committee: Keith Morgan, GBR Jerry Wallwork, SAM Nippon Limboonsuebsai,

Allocation of the 2019 IWF Junior and Youth World Championships

14 June 2017, The IWF Executive Board allocated two of its major events - the 2019 IWF Junior and Youth World Championships - at its meeting in Tokyo, JPN. 2019 Junior World Championships The Executive Board unanimously decided to attribute the hosting right to the Fiji Weightlifting Association and the city of Suva, FIJ. Presentation was given by Atma Maharaj, President of the Fiji Weightlifting Association joined by HE Isikeli Mataitoga, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Fiji to Japan. It is the first time since 1993 (Melbourne, AUS) that a country from the Oceania region will organize an IWF World Championships and first time ever in the Pacific region. Fiji hosted the Continental Qualification event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as several regional weightlifting competitions. Dr. Robin Mitchell, ONOC President will also take the position of Organising Committee Chair. 2019 Youth World Championships The Executive Board unanimously decided to attribute the hosting right to the USA Weightlifting and the city of Anaheim, USA. Anaheim will host the 2017 IWF World Championships in November and aspires to become a regular host of IWF events. Presentation was given by Phil Andrews, CEO USA Weightlifting joined by Roy Edmondson, Vice President Sports Development Visit Anaheim as well as Anthony Brenneman, Sports Events Manager Sports Anaheim and Pedro Meloni, Competition Director USA Weightlifting. Anaheim is also a partner of the Los Angeles 2024 Olympic bid. Ursula Garza Papandrea, President USA Weightlifting said: “In our aim to become a strong partner of the IWF we appreciate the trust they put in us to host another

Matti Everi passed away

Matti Everi, born on 14 November 1951 in Huittinen, Finland, passed away on May 24, 2017 after a long illness. Everi was known for his passion for weightlifting both in Finland and abroad. He was elected many times to represent Finland as a referee or team leader in international competitions. Everi's was an Honorary President at his weightlifting club Puntti-Karhut in Pori, Finland. During his own lifting career Everi lifted various medals at Finnish Championships as a junior, became a Nordic Junior Champion and broke Finnish junior records. During his adult career he lifted many national championship medals in the Super Heavy weight category totaling 335 kg at his best. Everi's strength was organizing national and international championship competitions. Many Nordic Championships and Baltic Cup Championships have taken place in Pori where Everi played an important role. Everi was also the General Secretary at World Championships in Lahti, Finland, 1998. He has received many merits like the International Weightlifting Federation National Honour Medal and European Weightlifting Federation Gold Collar for Sporting Merit. The Everi name has been passed down to son Antti Everi, 2008 Olympian in weightlifting, and Anna-Maria Tokola (neé Everi) who lifted a medal at European Championships for 23-year-olds. Matti is missed by his wife Ulla Everi and the families of their two children Antti and Anna-Maria as well as the Finnish weightlifting family. It is with deep sorrow that the IWF presents its condolences to his Family as well as to the Finnish Weightlifting Federation. Source: Finnish Weightlifting