Archive from

It’s time for Africa – see you in Senegal at the YOG 2022

The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games 2022 (YOG) will be held in Dakar, Senegal. The decision was unanimously taken by a show of hands from the full International Olympic Committee (IOC) membership during the IOC Session in Buenos Aires. This is the first time the Youth Olympic Games will be organised in Africa. Four African countries* were in the running and, after thorough analysis, the Evaluation Commission and the Executive Board determined that Dakar, Senegal, presented the best value proposition and the greatest opportunities at this moment in time. Dakar 2022 presented a visionary, ambitious and technically sound YOG project that addresses the long-term aims of the country. Senegal has a large youth population and views the YOG as a catalyst for engaging young people and developing the country’s sport and youth policy. Significant investments are already being made toward youth and sport as part of the country’s overarching framework “Plan Sénégal émergent”, which sets out the President’s vision to 2035. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Africa is united behind Senegal to host the Youth Olympic Games 2022. With a young population and a passion for sport, it is time for Africa, it is time for Senegal.” The competitions and activities will be held across three cities, showing the many facets of Senegal: the historic capital of Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and the natural beauty of Saly on the coast. The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, who made the journey to Buenos Aires for the historic IOC decision said: “Senegal and its young people are proud of the honour you have bestowed upon us, in entrusting the organisation of the Youth Olympic Games 2022 to our country. “In fact, it is the whole of Africa, the birthplace of humankind through its history and the youngest continent through its demographics, which will welcome the young athletes of the world in 2022.” Considering the unifying power of the Games, the IOC is pleased to count on the four parties, who have all endorsed the decision of the IOC and pledged full support to the selected host. The decision took place during the 3rd edition of the Youth Olympic Games, currently taking place in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 October. Source: IOC — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter

YOUSEFI Alireza (IRI) – last Youth Olympic Champion in Buenos Aires

Last day – last competition. Buenos Aires crowned its superheavyweight Youth Olympic Champion in presence of IOC President Thomas Bach. Competition was intense between the Asian Youth Champion YOUSEFI Alireza (IRI) and Silver Medallist at the European Youth Championships both in 2017 and in 2018 KUWORGE Enzo Kofi (NED). Both were willing to achieve the best possible result to get the medal they came for and both of them ended the Snatch with 162kg. However, it was impossible for them to catch HRISTOV Hristo Dimitrov (BUL) going for 165kg, 170kg and 173kg. The Clean and Jerk competition between the three athletes started at 195kg with a first good lift for KUWORGE. Youth World Champion in 2017 as well as European Youth Champion in 2017 and in 2018, HRISTOV followed with 196kg while YOUSEFI came out at 202kg. HRISTOV and KUWORGE needed considerable jumps to stay in the game. HRISTOV equalled the 202kg while KUWORGE made an even higher jump to 203kg. Both of them good lifts. They each had only one attempt left – 206kg for the first and a missed attempt at 210kg for the second getting a Silver for HRISTOV and a Bronze for KUWORGE. YOUSEFI Alireza (IRI) came out for his second lift at 211kg. Ranking third, this lift and his Total of 373kg was enough for the second place. His last attempt at 218kg was decisive and YOUSEFI gave it all! His technique, strength and passion. He ruled the Men’s +85kg and is the last Youth Olympic Champion in Weightlifting here in Buenos

Thailand crowns last Youth Olympic Champion in the Women’s

Last Women’s competition ended in Buenos Aires at the 3rd Edition of the Youth Olympic Games. The only athlete going above 100kg in the Snatch was KHAMHAENG Supatchanin (THA) reaching 104kg. Oceania Youth Junior and Senior Champion in 2018 (some of which multiple times) ANDREWS-NAHU Kanah Shenelle (NZL) was following with 95kg. She missed her first Clean and Jerk attempt at 107kg, but came out for a second successful one at 112kg. Her last one at 116kg was also a good lift however she ended 4th with a Total of 211kg. As 3 athletes ended the Snatch with 92kg, nothing seemed played in advance. DAVRONOVA Dolera (UZB), Asian Youth Champion and IWF Junior World Champion, NARIN Dilara (TUR), European Youth Champion in the +75kg and GYURJYAN Liana (ARM), European Youth Champion in the 69kg all had their chanced to get a medal. In the Clean and Jerk, GYURJYAN missed 116kg three times so she couldn’t secure a Total leaving NARIN and DAVRONOVA to compete against each other. The Turkish lifter came in second with 218kg while the Uzbek ended third with a Total of 217kg. Silver Medallist at the 2017 Asian Youth Championships, KHAMHAENG came out for her first Clean and Jerk attempt at 125kg and became Youth Olympic Champion in the Women’s +63kg bodyweight category. She was unstoppable until the end and still came out for an impressive lift at 129kg and a third one at

Future in Focus: IWF Hosts Focus Day in Youth Olympic Village

By Kevin Farley The International Weightlifting Saturday transformed the Youth Olympic Village into a celebration of sport and education as dozens of athletes took part in the IWF’s Focus Day at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Focused on the importance of anti-doping education and competing cleanly, 40 participants from more than 10 nations underwent several physical and mental exercises in an obstacle course that connected the athletes both with each other and the sport. “This was a great opportunity for the athletes to get to know each other and learn about the important anti-doping efforts of the IWF,” Athlete Role Model Morghan King (USA) said. In a display of unity that defines the Weightlifting family, athletes first split into group, participants from different countries forming individual teams. Then, wearing special shirts provided by Eleiko, the seven teams took selfies with an #iLiftClean photo frame. It was a friendly competition consisting of vertical jumps, problem-solving puzzles and team-building exercises all centered around the IWF’s #iLiftClean anti-doping education program. Teams were scored based on their performances in the obstacle course, and a winner was selected after the competition and given a special prize. The event culminated with an anti-doping education trivia game. The athletes learned about prohibited substances, therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) and the doping control process. Armed with new education from the IWF’s #iLiftClean anti-doping program, the athletes then turned their attention to Athlete Role Models Morghan King and 3-time Olympic champion Pyrros Dimas (GRE) for a question and answer session. As the future of our sport, the youth athletes looked to draw upon the successes of the Athlete Role Models for inspiration about their own Weightlifting careers. “It was so great to speak with all of the athletes,” King said. “I am so honored to be here to represent the sport I love, and encourage these kids to go for their dreams and do the very best they

FICCO Cristiano Giuseppe (ITA) is Youth Olympic Champion

With one good lift in the Snatch at 145kg, FICCO Cristiano Giuseppe (ITA) took the lead in the Men’s 85kg bodyweight category. He tried 150kg but missed it twice. European Youth Champion in 2018 in the 85kg bodyweight category, his best internationally registered Total is 335kg from the Mediterranean Games where he also finished first. FICCO came out at 170kg for his first attempt in the Clean and Jerk being a good lift. BABAYEV Tarmenkhan (AZE), the European Youth Champion in 2018 but in the 94kg bodyweight category was following him closely. He made a considerable jump between his first and second Clean and Jerk – going from 160kg to 174kg. He came in second with 316kg. Following two impressive lifts in the Clean and Jerk, FICCO Cristiano Giuseppe (ITA) went for 180kg and a third good lift. With his Total of 325kg, he became Youth Olympic Champion. Silver Medallist at the 2018 Asian Youth Championships, ALOTHMAN Ali Yousef (KSA) won the Bronze Medal after a challenging battle with ASKARIDOUN Amirreza

Uzbek Gold for FAYZULLAEVA Kumushkhon

It was an easy win for the Asian Junior and Youth Champion and Gold Medallist FAYZULLAEVA Kumushkhon (UZB).  Also Gold Medallist at the 2018 IWF Junior World Championships, the Uzbek lifter won with 16kg more than CHONTAVIN Thipwara (THA) Silver Medallist at the Asian Youth Championships. This year’s European Youth Champion SHATOVA Galya (BUL) came in third with a Total of 201kg, only 1kg behind