News

IWF AND REDTORCH PARTNER TO GROW WEIGHTLIFTING AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and REDTORCH, a London-based digital communications agency, today announced a partnership to increase youth engagement and awareness of the 2017 IWF World Championships in Anaheim, California. Nearly 400 athletes – 216 men and 161 women – from 72 countries arrive for the Championships in the United States at the end of the month. They include 6 reigning 2016 Rio Olympic Champions: Lasha Talakhadze (2015 World Champion), Sohrab Moradi, Sopita Tanasan, Hsu Shu-ching, and Sukanya Srisurat. Also going for gold is Spain's 3-time Olympic medallist, Lidia Valentín. Team USA is fielding a strong team this year and hopes for places on the podium.  Mattie Rogers, 2016 Olympic Bronze Medallist Sarah Robles, plus reigning Youth World Champions CJ Cummings and Harrison Maurus, are just a handful of American athletes with their sights on a medal in Anaheim. As USA Weightlifting CEO and World Championships Organizing Committee member, Phil Andrews, states, "This is going to be a weightlifting meet unlike any other. We're ready to compete and we're ready to welcome the world to Anaheim." “The IWF is proud to hold its 2017 World Championships in Anaheim, and looks forward to working with REDTORCH on a digital campaign that connects people worldwide who have a passion for weightlifting,” says IWF President, Dr Tamas Ajan. “REDTORCH brings significant experience delivering data-driven campaigns, and we know their understanding of international sport and digital channels will help improve how the world sees our sport.” Jonny Murch, Managing Director of REDTORCH, agrees.  “It’s not often you have the opportunity to partner with a sport that has the heritage of Weightlifting.  One of the oldest Olympic sports, and fast becoming a lifestyle for many people worldwide, it is also totally relevant to today’s athletes – regardless of their sport - as they incorporate it into their training programmes. “We can’t wait to communicate the incredible story of IWF as we aim to increase global awareness of the IWF World Championships.” The world’s best weightlifters. Coming to Anaheim. 28 November – 6 December 2017. Make sure you catch all the action! Press enquiries: International Weightlifting Federation The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is a permanent non-profit organization composed of 192 affiliated National Federations worldwide, from all five Continents. The IWF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole controlling body for international weightlifting. Lilla Rozgonyi Communication and Marketing Director Email: [email protected] REDTORCH REDTORCH is an independent digital communications agency that turns data into insight to engage, grow and commercialise international audiences. We believe in a culture of innovation that enables organisations in the world of sport & entertainment to think differently, challenge the status quo, and become more effective. Jonny Murch Managing Director Tel: +4(0)207 036 8081 Email:

Farewell to Naim Suleymanoglu

Hundreds of thousands of people crowded the streets of Istanbul on Saturday accompanying Turkish weightlifting superstar Naim Suleymanoglu on his last journey. The funeral of the triple Olympic, multiple world and European champion was attended by the Prime Minister of Turkey, the Minister of Sport and his family members, but also by several outstanding representatives of the sport from the recent past, e.g. Marinov, Peshalov, Topurov and from Greece his greatest rival and friend, Valerios Leonidis. "Our relationship was not an ordinary one, since beside often competing against each other we were also true friends," - said Greece's weightlifter hero to www.iwf.net . He added that while respecting each other for their achievements, they were also very close as humans. "Naim's death is a giant blow not only for his family and friends, those close to him, but also for weightlifting and universal sports. I was deeply shaken by the tragic news and it really hurts because I lost a true friend and the world lost a true legend. The last time we met at the European Championships in Antalya in 2012 but we kept in touch on the phone and spoke frequently. To me there was no question that I would attend his funeral and accompany him to his last journey. It was my sad duty." Süleymanoğlu has died after having been placed into intensive care at the Ataşehir Memorial in Istanbul. The legendary weightlifter underwent a successful liver transplant early October. Süleymanoğlu was previously placed into intensive care on September 25 due to liver failure. He was the Best Weightlifter of the Century and received the Olympic Order in 2001. He was also member of the IWF Hall of

Seminar in Chile

In Santiago de Chile between 30th September and 1st October Chilean Weightlifting Federation organized a "Strengthening and Evaluation of the implementation of the national technical criteria" seminar. The experts were Mr. Georgi Panchev, Head Coach of the Federation, Mr. Ronald Salina, Technical Manager, Ms. Romina Chang, Technical Secretary and Mr. Juan Miranda, representative of the National Anti-doping Commission. The organizers invited people from the 15 regions of the country and finally 22 participants attended. It is important to note that as a fruit of the different seminars realized in the past years with the assistance of IWF Development Program, during this year's National Games 13 from the 15 regions participated. Attendants heard lectures about the new rules, modifications of the rules, strategic plan of collecting talents, ADAMS system, etc. The seminar was a great success, it achieved its aim. IWF is glad that could support this seminar in the framework of IWF Continental

Weightlifting mourns a legend: Naim Süleymanoğlu

Multiple World and Three Times Olympic Champion Naim Süleymanoğlu has died at the age of 50 after having been placed into intensive care at the Ataşehir Memorial in Istanbul, Turkish media said Saturday. The legendary weightlifter underwent a successful liver transplant early October. Süleymanoğlu was previously placed into intensive care on September 25 due to liver failure. The now 50-year-old athlete, nicknamed "Pocket Hercules" due to his short stature, became a global star after setting six world records, winning three Olympic gold medals and out lifting the winner of the weight class above him at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. He was the Best Weightlifter of the Century and received the Olympic Order in 2001. He was also member of the IWF Hall of Fame. The International Weightlifting Federation presents its condolences to Naim Süleymanoğlu’s Family and to the Turkish Weightlifting Federation. Source:

ORIS meeting for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

A 3 days meeting of the Weightlifting Working Group of Olympic Results and Information Services (ORIS) was held in its traditional location: Montreaux, SUI. The meeting was led by Nicolas Hurel, IOC Head of ORIS, and the IWF was represented by Attila Adamfi, Director General and Technical Delegate and Matyas Lencser, Competition Manager. Reiko Chinen, Weightlifting Sport Manager participated on behalf of Tokyo 2020, and members of the IOC ORIS team, ATOS and Omega were also present. The Working Group considered the implementation experiences from Rio 2016 and defined the technical requirements that will have to be delivered, including the processes, time limits and deliverable. The ORIS Weightlifting Document was updated in accordance with the latest IWF Rules and considers the possible upcoming changes in the Qualification system and bodyweight

Coaching Education Seminar in Bolivia

Bolivian Weightlifting Federation in the framework of IWF Development Program organized a Coaching Seminar between 2 and 4 November in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The expert was María Isabel Urrutia (COL), Olympic Champion in Sydney and several times World Champion, currently the coach of the Colombian Junior National team. Totally 56 people including coaches and athletes attended the seminar in which the expert presented training planes and shared her own coaching experiences. At the end a Tournament was organized where the expert could make an evaluation on the development of the Bolivian