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IWF delegates state great progress in Ashgabat’s 2018 WWC preparations

As it is known, the Turkmenistan Weightlifting Federation received the right to carry out the IWF's 2018 flagship event, the IWF World Championships, at relatively short notice. Nevertheless, Ashgabat's undertaking seemed feasible to realize even at allocation time, based on the state-of-the-art facilities built for and used at the 2017 AIMAG. IWF delegates just having concluded the second Technical Visit can confirm that since the Executive Board's decision and the signing of the WWC Agreement preparations had progressed very promisingly for hosting the 2018 IWF WWC. Key in operations starting to roll was the Presidential Decree ordering all related Ministries and the TKM Federation to unite forces and sources in realizing the World Championships in Turkmenistan's capital. The delegation consisting of Aniko Nemeth-Mora, Director of International Relations, Matyas Lencser, Competition Manager and Angelique Mottet, Operations Manager, at their follow-up visit, met with the responsible area managers, inspected the competition facilities, accommodation and catering and touched upon key issues. "We have seen significant progress in the preparations and we managed to cover all the important areas of the World Championships organisation", Aniko Nemeth-Mora confirmed. "Since practically all nations are required to have a visa to enter Turkmenistan, the hosts undertake to provide free of charge visa on arrival to all participants submitting the required data in time. We were also privileged to be received, once again, by Turkmenistan's Minister of Youth and Sport, Dayanch Gurgeldiyev. His direct involvement in the Organising Committee is a guarantee that Turkmenistan will stage a high-class event." Competition dates have been fixed for 1-10 November 2018 with the exact program of course waiting for the definition of the new bodyweight categories. The delegation was joined by the IWF's partner Lagardere Sports represented by its Senior Vice President and Director of Media, that enabled timely and very conclusive discussions with Turkmenistan's State Television regarding the broadcasting of the 2018 IWF WWC.

Morghan King and Oscar Figueroa are the Athlete Role Models for the 2018 YOG

The International Olympic Committee, along with the International Weightlifting Federation, appointed Morghan KING (USA) and Oscar Albeiro FIGUEROA MOSQUERA (COL) as Athlete Role Models at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires, ARG. In creating the Youth Olympic Games, the IOC has developed a mission of building an event that educates, engages and empowers aspiring young people around the world to play a positive and active role in their communities. The IWF is delighted that these two exceptional athletes will be joining the Olympic Family in Buenos Aires for the fifth edition of the Youth Olympic Games and contribute to the Learn & Share activities put in place by the IOC and the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee. As Role Models, both will serve as an example for the young Olympians who will be competing. The support they will be able to provide during the Youth Olympic Games will focus on knowledge through educational activities and workshops. Morghan KING (USA) An Olympian herself, King understands the difficulty and dedication required to make an Olympic Team and then perform on the world stage. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, King set an American Record in the 48kg weight category with an 83kg snatch. “I am so honored to be an Athlete Role Model at the Youth Olympic Games,” King told USA Weightlifting. “As a kid, the Olympic Games were always such a magical, inspiring event.” “I look forward to speaking with the kids of what it means to continue to work hard they can achieve anything they put their minds to,” she said. “The lessons that we learn through sport helps us grow and become a positive influence in our community. I hope that I can become a great ambassador for sport and inspire these youths to continue to pursue their dreams,” King said. “The road to the Olympics is never an easy path but we are here to support and encourage each other no matter what age you are, that’s what being a part of the Olympic community is all about.” “To compete at the Youth Olympic Games is an incredible achievement and I’m excited to celebrate the top young athletes across the globe,” King said. “I cannot wait to see what the future generation is going to bring to this world,” King said. Oscar Albeiro FIGUEROA MOSQUERA (COL) Oscar Figueroa started weightlifting when he was 10 years old, and became a much respected and successful athlete in his country. He is the only male Olympic champion in weightlifting in Columbia. He competed at four Olympic Games and won a Silver Medal in London 2012 in the 62 kg bodyweight category and a Gold Medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. When asked about being an ARM in Buenos Aires, Oscar Figueroa said: "Being the ARM for the next generation is in all respects a great satisfaction for me. Knowing that you’re not only making history in your own sport, but inspiring others to make their dreams come true, build a brighter future for sports and for themselves is a great satisfaction." "The possibility to show the way and inspire others proves to me that my path has been right, and it was worth the hard effort to be the best every day." As an advice, Oscar Figueroa added the following:"Discipline, persistence and hard work will always lead to success, it doesn’t matter how far are you in your progress, the most important thing is determination." "Get up every day determined to finish your training and studies, no matter how tired you are, and you will take pleasure in

Farewell to Chuck Vinci, two time Olympic Champion

The American weightlifter and two-time Olympic Champion, Charles Thomas Vinci, Jr. died at the age 85. [caption id="attachment_22614" align="alignleft" width="228"] Chuck Vinci standing on the top of the podium[/caption] Mr. Vinci was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1933 and was one of the greatest athletes in the city's history. He was the United States Senior National Champion from 1954 to 1956 and then from 1958 to 1961. He won silver medals at the 1955 and 1958 World Championships. At the Pan American Games in 1955 and 1959, he won gold medals. He won the gold medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne and set a world record with his three lifts (snatch, clean and jerk, overhead press), totaling 342.5 kilograms. At the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, he took the gold medal once more. During his career, he set 12 world records in the 56kg bodyweight category. After he retired from competitive weightlifting,  he remained a strong force in the sport, inspiring the new generation of athletes. Chuck Vinci was the father of 8 children. The International Weightlifting Federation wishes to express its deepest sympathy to his family and the USA Weightlifting.

Hsu Shu-Ching, two times Olympic champion announced her retirement

Hsu Shu-Ching, Chinese Taipei weightlifter and two times Olympic Champion officially announced to IWF her retirement from competitive weightlifting, dated from 5th June 2018. At a press conference, she said:  “I am still recovering from serious injuries sustained last year and cannot undergo training in full. After discussing the matter with my coach, my doctor, the Chinese Taipei Weightlifting Association and leaders in various organizations, I have decided to withdraw from training for the Asian Games in Jakarta and end my career as an athlete,” she said. “Because of the government’s financial support, I will stay in the National Sports Training Center and assist Coach Tsai Wen-yee (蔡溫義) and other coaches in training young weightlifters. I will learn to be a good coach to help train more top athletes for the nation,” she said. Hsu thanked her coach, the association, her sponsors and other parties for supporting her training so that she could do so well not only in the Olympics, but the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Government policy and support from others for weightlifting are crucial for athletes like her, Hsu said. Hsu won a gold in the 53kg category at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Games. She is the first Chinese Taipei athlete to win two Olympic golds and was scheduled to compete in the same bodyweight category in Jakarta. She said she hoped the public would continue to support her and cheer for the nation’s weightlifters in Jakarta. Tsai, who won a bronze in the 60kg class in weightlifting at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, told the Central News Agency that Hsu’s retirement comes two years earlier than they had planned. He and Hsu had originally planned that she would compete in the Tokyo Games, but he would respect her decision even though it was against his wishes, Tsai said. Hsu tore two ligaments in her right arm during the world championships and underwent surgery after she returned to Taiwan. Told rehabilitation would take a year, her recovery has not gone as she had expected, Hsu has said previously. Source:

Frank Robby, Vice President of OWF passed away

Frank Robby, Vice President of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation passed away on 11th June due to illness for the past 12 months. Mr. Robby was the heart of Papua New Guinea Weightlifting for many decades.  He was a strong pillar in the Oceania Weightlifting Federation and his passion for weightlifting was unmatched. In his younger years, he was an excellent weightlifter and later rose to the position of Vice President of OWF, which he held with a great pride until his death.  He was also involved with powerlifting and strength coaching for rugby. He was also a Category 1 Technical Official and represented Papua New Guinea more times at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games, Oceania Championships and other international events in the region. The IWF offers its deep condolences to his family, the PNG Weightlifting Federation, the PNG Olympic Committee, and the Oceania Weightlifting Federation.  

Hidilyn Diaz’s tourney to search for new Philippean lifters

More than 130 lifters from all over the country are expected to take part in the 2018 Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Open Championships to be held from 27-29 July at the Meralco Fitness Center in Ortigas, Pasig.   The tournament, which is held with the support of the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, aims at helping Olympian Hidilyn Diaz leave a legacy behind when she finally retires after the 2020 Olympics. And that’s to find talents and young lifters who have Olympic dreams and can excel in international competitions. It will serve as a tryout for aspiring members of the national team and for those who can join the seven lifters who have been selected to see action in the coming Asian Games in Indonesia.   Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said they have recommendations for Diaz and her teammates to be included for the national delegation to the coming Asiad and those who will excel in the HDWOC.     Read the full article