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Who to watch in Ashgabat

The 2018 IWF World Championships kicks off today, 1 November in Ashgabat with a grandiose Opening Ceremony at 6 PM local time. With the newly published Start List, we can have a few guesses who we should keep an eye on during the 10-day long event, although picking the most interesting competitions isn’t easy, as 604 athletes, 283 women and 321 men from 88 countries put their skills on the measure in Ashgabat, including more great lifters than we can list. Women In the women’s 45kg we might crown a Thai lifter, as Junior World Champion NANTHAWONG Chiraphan and the two times Senior World Champion, SUKCSAROEN Thunya, are looking for another World title. [caption id="attachment_24757" align="aligncenter" width="450"] TANASAN Sopita, SHERMETOVA Kristina, DIAZ Hidilyn. Anaheim 2017[/caption] It would be surprising to see new names conquer  the 49kg bodyweight category as the 2016 Olympic Champion and 2017 World Champion TANASAN Sopita (THA) will be there to win it all. If VUONG Thi Huyen can defeat her, she can become the first woman from Vietnam to win a world title in weightlifting. She has already won the most medals at the world championships among women in Vietnam. Another prominent Thai lifter will compete in the 55kg category: SRISURAT Sukanya, Rio 2016 Olympic Champion in the 58kg bodyweight category. Olympic Silver medallist in the 53kg, DIAZ Hidilyn (PHI), certainly aims to upgrade her medal earned in Rio. [caption id="attachment_24754" align="alignleft" width="210"] KOHA Rebeca, Tashkent 2018[/caption] In the 59kg, one of the favorites will be KUO Hsing-Chun (TPE), sixth at the 2012 Olympic Games and third in Rio, Asian Champion, Universiade Champion and also World Champion. Silver medallist in the 58kg bodyweight category in Rio, SIRIKAEW Pimsiri (THA) also has good chances, just like the continuously improving KOHA Rebeka (LAT) (still only 20 years old), European and Junior World Champion this year, fourth at the 2016 Olympic Games. Two lifters from Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea are to watch in the 64kg’s: this year’s Asian Games champion KIM Hyo Sim and RIM Un Sim, Junior World Champion two years ago. DENG Wei (CHN) the absolute champion - Youth Olympic Gold, Youth, Junior and Senior World Champion three times will be the one to watch. An outstanding lifter in the 71kg will be the Egyptian AHMED Sara Samir Elsayed Mohamed, Junior World Champion, and Bronze medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Crowds favourite ROGERS Martha Ann (USA), who ranked third in Anaheim last year has also good medal hopes. [caption id="attachment_24755" align="alignright" width="208"] DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia, Anaheim 2017[/caption] The medal favourite in the 76kg bodyweight category is two times Olympic Champion, RIM Jong Sim (PRK). 2017 World Champion SOLIS ARBOLEDA Leidy Yessenia (COL) and DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia (ECU), three times Junior World Champion might be in the Medal Tally as well. The Spanish legend, who has an Olympic Medal of every color (Gold Silver and Bronze), World Champion and four-times European Champion, VALENTIN PEREZ Lidia decided to go up to the 81kg bodyweight category from the 75kg previously existing category. It is announced to be a great show between VALENTIN and medal contenders like ARTHUR Jenny Lyvette. In the 87kg, three lifters might battle for the Title: VALDES PARIS Maria Fernanda (CHI), KIM Un Ju (PRK) and the Chinese lifter AO Hui, whose last international result was at the 2015 Junior Asian Games, where she was champion. The +87kg offers one of the greatest returns: Russian KASHIRINA Tatiana, missing Rio. Besides her Silver Medal from London 2012, she is 7 times European Champion and 4 times World Champion. It is unlikely anyone will challenge her for the gold medal. Men [caption id="attachment_24761" align="alignleft" width="211"] IRAWAN Eko Yuli. Rio 2016[/caption] In the Men's 55kg, it will be difficult for anyone to defeat OM Yun Chol (PRK), Gold Medallist in London and silver in Rio. He was crowned World Champion three times. A much tighter gap is to be expected in the 61kg as 2017 World Champion MOSQUERA VALENCIA Francisco Antonio (COL) (in the 62kg), last year’s World Champion THACH Kim Tuan (VIE) (in the 56kg) and of course IRAWAN Eko Yuli (INA) two times Olympic Bronze Medallist and Silver Medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will all be going for the title. The entries predict an Uzbek-Korean-Columbian battle in he 67kg. Guess who might come out World Champion from YOKUBOV Doston (UZB), LEE Sangyeon (KOR) and FIGUEROA MOSQUERA Oscar Albeiro (COL). A close competition is also predicted in the 73kg bodyweight category with names like RI Chong Song (PRK), CALJA Briken (ALB), RAHIMOV Nijat (KAZ) and O KANG Chol (PRK). The two times Youth and three times Junior World Champion CUMMINGS JR Clarence (USA) will also join the trio with good chances for a medal. [caption id="attachment_24762" align="alignright" width="228"] MENDEZ PEREZ Arley. Anaheim 2017[/caption] KARAPETYAN Andranik (ARM), MAHMOUD Mohamed Ihab Youssef Ahmed (EGY) and ULANOV Denis (KAZ) are all listed to compete in the 81kg. MAHMOUD won the Bronze Medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the 77kg bodyweight category, while KARAPETYAN piled up some European Championships medals. ULANOV – in the previous 85kg category – was bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympics. There are some prominent athletes competing in the 89kg category as well. For example, the one winning the first ever World Championships gold for Chile, MENDEZ PEREZ Arley, and OKULOV Artem (RUS) as well, who was World Champion three years ago. It is worth to mention the 2018 European and Junior World Champion DAVITADZE Revaz (GEO). World Record holder MORADI Sohrab in the 96kg bodyweight category should win however a special mention has to be made as ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim (QAT), Junior World Champion and RIVAS MOSQUERA Jhonatan (COL), second at the 2018 Junior Worlds are also competing. Chinese TIAN Tao is also in the list and with a Silver at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, he also has high chances to win a medal. [caption id="attachment_24759" align="aligncenter" width="450"] MORADI Sohrab, ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim E. H., ABDALLA Ragab Abdelhay Saad A. Anaheim 2017[/caption] 2017 World Champion HASHEMI Ali (IRI) and CHUMAK Dymitro (UKR), Bronze Medal winner at the World Championships and Silver Medal winner at the European Championships will compete in the 109kg bodyweight category besides CHKEIDZE Irakli (GEO) – Youth and Junior World Champion. ILYN Ilya’s name is also on the 102kg list. Olympic Champion in 2016, NURUDINOV Ruslan (UZB) will make his debut in the newly established 109kg bodyweight category. Sargis MARTIROSYAN (AUT) and Simon MARTIROSYAN (ARM) will be on the list of medal contenders with the long-standing Snatch World Record holder ARAMNAU Andrei (BLR). Reigning Olympic World and European Champion in the super heavyweight, TALAKHADZE Lasha, wants to win the Championships in Ashgabat, but also prepares to set a new World Record. ALBEGOV Ruslan, also returning to the platform is the other lifter to watch in the+109kg. — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

IWF Executive Board Welcomes Progress, Picks Future Wold Championships Host City

The IWF Executive Board today welcomed the ongoing progress that has been made in protecting clean weightlifters and developing the sport around the world development, and selected Lima, PER as host for the 2021 IWF World Championships. The meeting took place in Ashgabat on the eve of the IWF Congress and the 2018 IWF World Championships. Anti-doping reports were presented by the Anti-Doping Commission, and the Independent Clean Sport Commission, and the Executive Board members approved a roadmap for cooperation with the newly-formed International Testing Agency. All acknowledged the remarkable progress made by the IWF in making the IWF a leader in anti-doping. “For years now, the IWF has clearly demonstrated its commitment to protecting clean weightlifters and to promoting clean weightlifting,” said IWF President Tamas Ajan. “It is a commitment we have backed with very significant resources, with innovative programmes, with independent guidance and oversight and the support of expert partners. The cumulative effect of all this hard work has been the transformation of weightlifting and its culture. The IWF Executive Board was pleased to recognise this great progress, which has been noted by independent organisations, while renewing our commitment to ensuring it is a lasting change.” The development of weightlifting around the world was also a key theme of the meeting.  Reports were presented on development programmes, work carried out under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity, the IWF Women’s Commission, the Membership Commission and the successful work of enabling young weightlifters to flourish at the recent Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games. “As a great sport in itself and as the foundation for so many other sports, weightlifting’s fundamental components of strength, mobility and technical proficiency are universally appreciated and universally valuable,” said President Ajan. “The IWF is very proud of our work and that of our 192 member federations in helping as many people as possible enjoy those benefits.” The IWF’s governance was the subject of a report by James Carr of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, finding the IWF to be strong in a number of areas, including transparency. Room from improvement identified in other areas was met with a commitment from IWF to take the appropriate action. Lima was selected as host of the IWF 2021 World Championships. The IWF Executive Committee commended the passion and professionalism of the strong bid put together by Peru. “The IWF is very privileged to have a host of such high quality for the 2021 World Championships,” said President Ajan. “We look forward to our first competition after the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games with great confidence for the future of the sport that we love and that we work so hard

Where can I watch the 2018 IWF World Championships?

The 2018 IWF World Championships will be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 1-10 November. All A sessions are covered by TV Broadcast only. In those countries where rights have not been sold (those countries NOT listed below), live coverage will be provided by the Olympic Channel. All the other sessions will be broadcast live on the Organising Committee's website, where you can also find the competition schedule: www.ashgabat2018.com. For start lists and scoreboards visit www.iwf.net. Follow IWF on social media for updates, results and highlights of the World Championships. China CCTV LATAM ESPN Asia Fox Sports Asia Poland TVP Spain TVE Russia Match TV Brazil TV Globo USA ESPN3 Kazakhstan QazSport Armenia Public TV SS Africa Kwese Sports India Star Sports Albania National TV Bulgaria National TV France L'Equipe Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia Viasat Baltics Croatia/Serbia/Montenegro/ Kosovo/Slovenia/Bosnia and Herzegovina/Macedonia Arena Sport Georgia Silknet  Australia  FoxSports Australia United Kingdom/Ireland FreeSports (Premier Sports) Belarus Belarus TV Germany News Sport A/ARD ZDF ALL OTHERS OLYMPIC CHANNEL — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter

IWF Committee Meetings in Ashgabat

The IWF Committees had their meetings prior tot he 2018 World Championships in Turkmenistan. Before the Committees split up to their relevant groups, Berdinyyaz Myatiyev, Weightlifting Federation of Turkmenistan President welcomed the Committee Members in the white marble city of Ashgabat and referred to the World Championships as a great opportunity to demonstrate Turkmen hospitality.   The following topics were raised. Online Anti-Doping Education Platform - iLiftCLEAN The newly launched Online Anti-Doping Education Platform, named iLiftCLEAN was introduced to the Committee Members, where Athletes will receive education on Anti-Doping rules regarding the topic of Whereabouts, Doping Control Process and TUE. After going through the videos, all Athletes have to complete a final test and obtain a final score of at least 80%. The course is available in English, Spanish, Russian and Arabic language. After the passing the test, the Athletes receive a Certificate which will be valid for one year after the day of completion. All Athletes who participate at the 2018 IWF World Championships shall complete the iLiftCLEAN Education Course before the competition. Technical Committee The Technical Committee concentrated on the IWF TCRR modifications to be introduced in two steps,  from 01 November 2018 and 01 January 2019. Further discussions were made about new Calendar Policy and the Video Replay system. Medical Committee The Medical Committee had several topics on its Agenda for their Meeting in Ashgabat, such as: Update on the Transgender guidelines, Medical Trunk, Injury Surveillance. Furthermore ideas of possible research projects, like Bio-electrical Impedance Meter, Nutrition Guide, Use of Video Analysis regarding injury prevention were discussed at the Meeting. The Meeting had a special guest, Ms. Selbi Muradova Senior Medical Manager of the Organizing Committee for Ashgabat, who gave comprehensive presentation regarding medical information of the World Championships. Coaching and Research Committee The Coaching and Research Committee discussed several topics. Starting the meeting with a presentation about a computer software program with a 3D video analysis function as possible application in weightlifting. The members were informed on how to use Google Classroom where the Coaching Education Manuals will be uploaded. It will be very useful as the CRC is planning to have again a Train the Trainers course in February 2019. A coaching accreditation to gather data on all weightlifting coaches and distribute coaching licenses to them will be introduced. It was discussed that there is a need for an IWF Weightlifting Community where information can be gathered, in a form of an Online Coaching Journal, a free database for sharing of weightlifting articles. From 2019 the CRC would like to create a platform for the online scientific journal. A proposal was made, that the IWF CRC shall recognize top coaches in Member Federations by producing a point-system that the Member Federations can use to rank their coaches. The coaches would receive an IWF recognition diploma as the Most Successful Coach in their country. — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter

IWF Development Program 2018 in Thailand

Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association organized an advanced training for weightlifting coaches in Ratchaburi Province, October 16-18 within the framework of IWF Development Program. The 3-day education program was conducted by reputed specialists who have plenty of expertise in weightlifting and techniques, while Major General Intarat YODBANGTOEY, IWF 1st Vice President, presided the event. There were 57 participants in total, half of which traveled from abroad to take part in the training. — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

German Weightlifting Federation welcomes Team USA for training camp ahead of 2018 WWC

The German Weightlifting Federation graciously welcomed Team USA to their national training center Monday to begin a week-long training camp ahead of the 2018 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.  Training camp is an opportunity for members of Team USA to bond and acclimate, an import aspect of any international competition, according to USA Weightlifting Technical Director, Pyrros Dimas.   “The first goal is to feel like a team, that’s why we have the team together to train every day,” Dimas said.  USA Weightlifting’s relationship with the German Federation was solidified in 2017, when Assistant Technical Director Mike Gattone and then High Performance Director, Lance Williams accepted an invitation to Leimen to learn more about the German training program. Since, German Coach Michael Vater attended USA Weightlifting’s inaugural Coaching Symposium in Chicago in June. Now the teams are training together for the first time.  “I think we have a big opportunity when weightlifters from all over the world come together at training camps,” said German Coach David Kurch. “When we go to the USA or the USA comes to us, it’s great for the weightlifting family.”  It’s a family that’s always growing. Dimas says there’s always room for more in the international weightlifting community.  “Weightlifting for me and for all is family,” he said. “International weightlifting is a big family. We feel that everywhere.”  Team USA will travel to Ashgabat from Germany early next week. The 2018 IWF World Championships will be held from November 1-11th. Source: teamusa.org — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter