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Happy New Year 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Colleagues, It is my honor and pleasure to greet all the members of the Weightlifting Family, partner organizations and anybody interested in international weightlifting on the occasion of the New Year. I would like to pay special attention to our outstanding partners: the IOC, SportAccord, the International Sport Federations and the National Olympic Committees. In the objective of the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games - being a tremendous milestone to every International Federation and the above mentioned organizations – the importance of a harmonized work and cooperation must be established and accomplished. We aim to become an efficient link between all members of the Weightlifting Family providing the latest news and highlights of our sport. On behalf of the International Weightlifting Federation, I have the honor to present you our new website. Within our constant efforts to improve communication, we are following world trends to fully inform our National Federations, athletes, members and partner organizations about important events through a permanent exchange of information. Using the latest tools of modern information technology, we further improve the transparency of our functioning and activity. In the aim of delivering the best to the weightlifting family, we created the IWF bi-weekly newsletter SPO(r)TLIGHT in three languages, our Facebook and Twitter Fan Page and a YouTube channel completed today with a brand new and useful website. To best meet the expectations of the Weightlifting Family, I believe that we must continue our efficient work in hand-in-hand in friendship and unity to promote our history and values to a broad audience worldwide. Dr. Tamas Ajan IWF President IOC Honorary

Dr. Tamas Ajan’s evaluation on the President’s Cup

The creation of the President's Cup is a great initiative. After more than twenty years of silence, the Russian Weightlifting Federation gave life signal. As far as I am concerned, I always make a distinction between countries that have a culture of weightlifting and those who have registered weightlifters. Here in Russia there is a strong tradition and a real culture of this sport. The Russian Weightlifting Federation's leadership wants to breathe life back into Russian weightlifting and host high international level competitions such as the Friendship Cup used to be in the past. The President's Cup proved the Russian weightlifters didn't stop their training after the 2011 IWF World Weightlifting Championships Paris, France and as a consequence; five fantastic world records were achieved. Of course the significant prize money had a great influence on athletes' motivation. The organization was fantastic, with a lot of new theatrical elements and effective innovations. The spectacle was truly amazing, thanks to a rich budget. High-quality music, dance, characterized these two days, combined with super lighting effects and visual solutions. We enjoyed here in friendly Belgorod's Khorkina Sport Complex a well organized competition and I am glad to know that the series will continue. Our sport needs to show these programs more often to the world. Next year, St. Petersburg will host the President's Cup, and the level will be certainly even higher. The 2012 calendar is full of very exciting competitions, and we will do out best to find the right date for this unique

Strong Russian dominance

After five world records at the President's Cup held in Belgorod, Russia; no one expected another one in the +105kg category. The reason was simple as the world record level was far from the seven participants' capacities. The question whether all categories were ruled by the host was a not a question anymore when it became clear Russian Duo of Albegov and Mogushkov dominated the field. A month after Paris World Championship it was obvious Mogushkov had a short time to collect new energy. It appeared soon the favorite in this +105kg category was Albegov. He made 195 kg in snatch and 240 kg in clean and jerk. Finally he was crowned the king of the first President's Cup among superheavy athletes. He got gold (435kg), Mogushkov won silver (411kg) and peter Nagy (HUN) earned bronze (408kg). Gold medal winner Ruslan Albegov "I think we enjoyed a perfect environment for weightlifting. The organization was on top level. I love Belgorod very much as I think my victory was due to the audience as I felt a strong support on a very nice way." Silver medal winner Chingiz Mogushkov "Well done, I think we all have to congratulate to the organizers. Anyway I am satisfied with my result as I was not in good shape thanks to the flue stopped my training." Bronze medal winner Peter Nagy "A week later I won in London Olympic test event it is a remarkable achievement. I am very happy at the end of a long season. It is time to relax. I wish Happy New Year to all of us." Closing event of women President Cup +75 kg brought again a Russian victory decorated by a special moment. Kashirina's (RUS) junior and senior world record was broken by Kashirina (148 kg). From far distance Olha Korobka (UKR) followed her with 120kg on the second place. In clean and jerk the crucial moment came by the last attempt of Kashirina. She had to jump to 181kg to build up a new world record in total. One month after her failure in Paris she missed again at 181kg. Thus she could not send her Christmas greetings wrapped into a new world record to current world champion Zhou (China). Korobka collected two more silver medals (146kg clean and jerk, 266kg total) but she was 57kg away of Kashirina's total (323kg). Kashirina at the press conference At this time I was not successful with my world record attack. I am sure just a little more training is needed to register the record under my name. I feel unhappy at the moment but I think I must be more motivated in 2012. I am confident and I am quite sure about my

Flash interviews

Flash interviews with President's Cup 94kg category medal winners Gold medallist Andrey Demanov (RUS) The complete setting was very comfortable for all athletes, the warm up area was fine and the audience is very enthusiastic. We got a lot of support from them. I am of course full of emotions being able to win the very first cup of President's Cup. I try to keep myself in good shape. The winning attempt on 217 kg was a real challenge for me as I had a back injury before. Psychologically it was very difficult for me but I am a very well trained sportsman and I showed my abilities. I think I could have lifted 220 kg as a maximum. Silver medallist Alexandr Ivanov (RUS) However I lost to Demanov I feel satisfaction winning three silver medals as I expected less than 386 kg total before the competition. This was an unlucky year for me as first I got a knee injury than flue stopped me competing. I hope next year will bring less injury and as a result of all my hard preparation I will be selected to take part at the London Games. Bronze medallist Aumimas Didzbalis (LTU) It is almost impossible to speak about next year's forma t the end of 2011. One thing is sure; the bronze I achieved here is a good starting point for my Olympic preparation. We need more work and it will pay. I hope the preparation period will be injury free and I do not have to suffer because of another back injury like I had in 2010. Flash interviews with President's Cup 75kg category medal winners Gold medallist Natalya Zabolotnya (RUS) Together with my mates we are all liked the organization very much here. I am really proud to represent Russia at this time. The music played at the time entering the arena was so emotional I felt a strong wish to start dancing. I enjoyed this atmosphere and the enthusiasm of the public. Of course I am very satisfied with the prize money I won but you have to know a world championship title is more profitable. Due to my elbow injury I could not participate at the Paris World Championships I had a strong preparation for Belgorod contest. I wanted to prove my capacities with these world records. I tell you frankly the snatch was almost perfect. Clean and jerk needed more efforts for me. Silver medallist Nadezda Evstyukhina (RUS) I hope next year will bring me higher results. In Belgorod I had the maximum but do not forget was four kilogram less body weight than in Paris at the World championships. Bronze medallist Lidia Valentin (ESP) I have a lot of emotions as I was competing in front of a public knowing well what our sport is about, how serious work is needed to achieve a good result not talking about a world record. I was born in Leon, North of Spain but I live in Madrid and I am a fan of Real Madrid, of course. Flash interview with President's Cup 105kg category medal winner Gold medallist David Bejanyan (RUS) I was very satisfied with the level of organization here, we had exceptional equipment provided, everything was given to achieve a super result. The spectators deserved these high class results as we were enjoying their non stop support. As the future is concerned Iam very eager to return to my home to celebrate the New Year's Eve with my family members and friends. As next year is the Olympic one we have to collect all our power and mind. There is no time to relax, work must go on. I am sure my world record will not live for seven years as the previous one

Zabolotnaya takes it all

The IWF Grand Prix President's Cup held in Belgorod, Russia had an exceptional opening on 17th December. The competition is held in the Training Sport Complex named after two times Olympic (1996, 2000) and nine times World champion gymnast Svetlana Khorkina born in Belgorod. She greeted all participants of the first President's Cup including 31 athletes representing 14 countries. The real star among them was Olympic silver medallist Natalya Zabolotnaya who closed 2011 with unexpected world record in the 75kg bodyweight category. 26 years Russian lifter snatched with 135kg with a technically brilliant movement. The previous world record was set up by Podobedova (KAZ), a year ago in Antalya. Podobedova had the sad end of the year as she lost her world record in the Total as well. However Natalya Zabolotnaya missed her first Clean and Jerk but later improved by 11kg. It was necessary to outclass the previous world record in Total. The new world record is 296kg. Zabolotnaya was awarded 14000 US dollars for the two world records and victory in 75kg over Evstyukhina (RUS) and Valentin (ESP) who both achieved 255kg. The very first winner of the President's Cup was Andrey Demanov (RUS) in 94kg. Two Russian Demanov and World Champion Alexandr Ivanov (2010) had a close fight won by Demanov. One kg difference decided between them as Demanov was able to perform 217kg Clean and Jerk. His total was recorded 387kg, as Ivanov with three silver medals pocketed had 386kg Total. The very first world record in the history of President's Cup was set up by 17 years old Alexey Kosov (RUS) by 174kg, new youth world record. The enthusiastic audience had a chance to enjoy another world record as well as David Bejanyan won in 105kg bodyweight category. Besides his victory (421kg) The Russian athlete (23) was hungry to set up a new world record Clean and Jerk 238kg. One of the oldest world record (237kg marked by Tsagaev (BUL) in 2004 in Kiev) had been broken. The IWF Grand Prix President's Cup Belgorod, Russia is broadcasted live on Eurosport tomorrow at 16h30 Central European Time. You can also follow the competition on our live Scoreboard displayed on the IWF

The Arab Games: Major event in the sports calendar

The Capital of Qatar, the modern city Doha, has become a very important centre of Arabic Sports - both traditional and major multi-sport events. Now hosting the 12th edition of the Arab Games featuring 33 disciplines including weightlifting, Dr. Tamás Aján IWF President believes that it has grown to be a major event in the sports calendar. "The organization has put into place a modern introduction of sports with breathtaking audiovisual technology showcased by a professional Australian team. The event is organized and delivered under the motto of friendship and tends to communicate the importance of Sport for Peace" - Dr. Aján said. Weightlifting competitions are held in the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex with the participation of 19 countries. The 12th Arab Games Organising Committee (AGOC) has announced prize money - allocated by the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) - to the winners in individual and team competitions meant to be an incentive for athletes to do their best and to achieve the highest level of performance. The NOCs will also be rewarded the same amount as the athletes. "This should contribute to enhancing the competitions technical level, and hopefully lead to breaking a few records, which is one of the objectives of the Organizing Committee," said Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee. In weightlifting, medals will be awarded in the Snatch, the Clean & Jerk and in the Total within 8 Men and 4 Women categories where gold medal is awarded with 5000 USD, silver with 3000 USD and bronze with 2000 USD. Breaking of Arab Records will be supplementary award of 5000 USD. His Royal Highness the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Chairman of the Arab Games Organising Committee (AGOC), and Secretary General, together with Mohamed Yousef Al Mana, President of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation and President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation put tremendous efforts into delivering an outstanding weightlifting competition to demonstrate Qatar's ability in hosting a world-class event. Check out the results here: