Dr Tamas Ajan 80!
Dr Tamas Ajan, IWF President turned 80 years old on Saturday. The Weightlifting Family wishes him a Happy Birthday!
Thai visit at the IWF Secretariat
Maj.Gen. Intarat Yodbangtoey, IWF 1st Vice President and Mrs. Boossaba Yodbangtoey, AWF General Secretary, TAWA President paid a visit to the IWF Secretariat office in Budapest. They were both warmly welcomed by Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President in his office. Dr. Ajan congratulated on the 60th Anniversary of the TAWA and expressed his appreciation for the efforts TAWA does for the weightlifting sport. This year, Thailand has the opportunity to host the IWF World Championships in Pattaya, 18-17 September. As the guests reported, preparations of the event have already started as they intend to organize a memorable event. “We hosted many Championships before in Pattaya, but this is the first time we organise an IWF World Championships. I think this event will be better than ever. It is also a qualification event for Tokyo 2020, so we expect an exceptionally high interest from athletes and countries from all around the world. Pattaya is a beautiful resort, so it will be a pleasure for both participants and spectators to come there,” said Madam Boossaba. “We also gave a report for Dr. Ajan on another major event, the EGAT’s King Cup, which we are staging in February.” She continued describing the importance of weightlifting in Thailand: “Weightlifting is the most popular Olympic sport in our country. It is easily accessible for a wide range of the population; so many young people see it as a possibility for a fruitful career and to improve their life standards. We have many successful weightlifters for this reason, with memorable results such as Olympic, World and Asian medals.” “In Thailand, winning an international event can be a fundament of your future. Hard work is rewarded. Our athletes are well known and loved, they make a good living. Olympic Champions, World Champions and Asian Champions get financial support from the Thai government. “ “The situation of women in sport greatly improved in the last decade, it is not dominated by men any more. As a matter of fact, there are more Thai women than men Olympic Champions. Nowadays, we have excellent women coaches and sports leaders as well.” Upon mentioning the huge improvement of gender equality, we asked the TAWA President of her early years of career and if it was hard for her to rise to a leadership role as a woman. “I had to do my very best to get where I am now. I feel very proud as after my forthcoming as a sports leader, many women felt encouraged to pursue their ambitions and follow my example. I like to think of myself as a role model for young ladies not only in weightlifting but all sports in Thailand. “ Expanding the spectrum of the conversation, the AWF General Secretary shared how she sees the position of Asian weightlifting in a global context. “Asian weightlifting is in an elite position. With the AWF, we are currently working on improving our methods and communication on an international level. We reached the point when everybody can effectively communicate with the Asian Federation and TAWA as well.” As a closing of the conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Yodbangtoey shared their personal impressions about the Hungarian capital, Budapest, referring to it as a wonderful and unique city, as well as their experiences in the IWF Secretariat office. “This is the first time we visited the IWF Secretariat. It’s good to see so many hard-working colleagues. We are especially impressed by the high number of women working here. It is good to see people who are so enthusiastic and devoted with their duties.” Maj. Gen. Intarat highlighted how important for them Dr.Ajan’s advice and expertise was on the way to make Asian weightlifting stronger and more effective. Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter
IOC Olympic Solidarity – IWF coaching course in India
A 7-day complex coaching course was held in Patiala, India 6-12 December. The course expert appointed by IWF was Tamas Feher. Feher said: „We had a successful 7-day coaching course in Patalia, hosted by the biggest Indian Olympic Centre. “The 23 participants received 5 hours daily theoretical and practical sessions and concluded with a written exam.” “Some of the main subjects were: General training methodology, Training principles in Weightlifting, Applied exercises of the Weightlifting training, Technical teaching of the beginner weightlifters, Strength development in Weightlifting, Preparation of a top weightlifter, etc. "I would like to express my special appreciation to IWF, IOC Olympic Solidarity and Indian Weightlifting Federation.” — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube
5th International Qatar Cup concluded
The last competition of 2018, the Fifth International Qatar Cup successfully concluded on 23 December in Doha, QAT. This was the second qualification event for Tokyo 2020 after the IWF World Championships in Ashgabat. Under the leadership of Mohamed Yousef Al Mana, President of Qatar, Arab and Asian Weightlifting Federations and Executive Board member of the IWF, the Qatar Cup highlighted the massive developments in the country and the capability to host major sporting events. Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President and IOC Honorary Member, praised the Organising Committee and Mohamed Yousef Al Mana for the professional, high-class organising. Seventy-eight lifters from 26 countries stepped on the platform at the Intercontinental Hotel of Doha to collect the most points possible for the qualification for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Home favourite ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim E. H. and KUO Hsing-Chun (TPE) were declared the best of Qatar Cup. ELBAKH lifted his personal best, swiping the Men's 96kg bodyweight category whit a 397kg Total, which is also a Junior World Record, while KUO ruled the Women's 59kg bodyweight category, just after pocketing the Gold Medal on the World Championships a month earlier. Uzbekistan's ERGASHEV Adkhamjon (Men's 67kg) and Chinese HUANG Ting (Women's 64kg) also set new Junior World Records. Results can be found HERE and the updated Qualification Database HERE. Photo credit: Gregor Winter — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter
TAWA 60th Anniversary
Thai Amateur Weightlifting Federation (TAWA) celebrated the 60th Anniversary of its 1958 foundation. A Gala was held 22 December 2018 at the Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel in Bangkok. Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC Member participated at the event, who praised TAWA for its hard work to promote and develop Olympic Values among athletes. She also encouraged young athletes to join regional and international events. For the success of last decade, she highlighted Major General Intarat Yodbangtoey, IWF 1st Vice President and TAWA Honorary President, and Madam Boossaba Yodbangtoey, AWF General Secretary and TAWA President, who introduced a new age in Thai weightlifting with their leadership. Congratulations to TAWA for the wonderful journey of six decades of success!! — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube
Updated TCRR published
Upon proposal of the IWF Technical Committee, the IWF Executive Board approved modifications to the IWF Technical and Competition Rules & Regulations in Ashgabat. Please find the updated TCRR document on this website under the following link. The new rules are in effect from 1 January
