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Polish Weightlifting Federation Elections

Mariusz Jędra has been elected as the successor of Szymon Kołecki as the chairman of Polish Weightlifting Federation for a term of four years. Mariusz Jędra has been elected as the successor of Szymon Kołecki as the chairman of Polish Weightlifting Federation for a term of four years. The election took place during 21st Domestic Delegates’ Convention. Previously Jędra was vice-chairman of PWF, responsible for organizational tasks. There was three candidates for the chairman’s position: Jędra, former national representative and 1997 World Championships' silver medalist in the heavyweight class, Zygmunt Smalcerz – 1972 Olympic Champion in 52 kg category and triple World Champion, and Zygmunt Wasiela, who had been previously the chairman of PWF during two terms (until 2012). In the first ballot, Jędra and Wasiela have received respectively 35 votes. Smalcerz, with 16 votes, has been dropped out. In the second ballot Jędra gained 53 votes, Wasiela 33. Szymon Kołecki, previous PWF chairman, and representatives of the Ministry of Sport and Polish Olympic Committee had congratulated Jędra on winning the election. Mariusz Jędra promised to make significant changes to PWF, especially to recreate a positive image of Polish weightlifting after some doping problems. He wants to cooperate with the Ministry of Sport and Polish Olympic Committee. As a regular of Polish Armed Forces, he counts on collaboration with Ministry of National Defence on helping regulars-weightlifters in their careers. One of his most important task is to improve cooperation with the International Weightlifting Federation and the European Weightlifting Federation. Polish Weightlifting Federation has a 91-year tradition, but only in 1956 Tadeusz Kochanowski has been recognized as the first chairman. After his term, Janusz Przedpełski was elected in 1959. He was the chairman of PWF for 47 years (1959-2006), a phenomenon. Later, IWF has been led by Zygmunt Wasiela (2006-2012) and Szymon Kołecki (2012-2016). Kołecki has resigned on 16th August 2016 and for the time to the election, Hanna Pikuła, IWF secretary general, was the acting chairman. Now, since 17th December 2016. Mariusz Jędra is the new chief of Polish weightlifting! He is the fifth person in that role. Congratulation to all the elected officials! Source:

Finnish Weightlifting Federation’s Congress

The Finnish Weightlifting Federation's Congress was held on 26th November 2016 in City of Tampere. President: Mr. Kimmo Kuukasjärvi (2 year term) General Secretary: Mr. Tomi Tolsa 1st Vice President: Mr. Heikki Rautapuro 2nd Vice President: Mr. Antti Everi Executive Board Members: Mr. Antti Seppälä Mrs. Jenni Ruotsi Mr. Petri Tanninen Mr. Santeri Siltala Congratulations to all the elected

Don Fernando Esquivel passed away

The PAWF informed the IWF about the loss of Colleague, Friend and Member of the PAWF Executive Board, Don Fernando Esquivel.  He was President of the Costa Rican Weightlifting Federation as well. He suffered a Thrombosis and suddenly passed away. It is with deep sorrow that the IWF presents its condolences to his Family. Source:

Joseph Alzin, the only Olympic medallist from Luxembourg

Joseph Alzin was born 123 years ago on December 18th. He is the first and up to now the only Olympic medallist weightlifter from Luxembourg. On the occasion of the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games he won his silver medal in the men’s “superheavyweight” being +82,5kg category at that time. He passed away at a very young age at 36. May he rest in

USA Weightlifting selects Eleiko as Official Equipment Provider for 2017 IWF World Championships Anaheim

“We have had the pleasure of working with Eleiko for years,” said Phil Andrews, CEO USA Weightlifting. “We are confident between the equipment quality and extensive event management knowledge, Eleiko will be a true partner in putting on our sports’ most important event in 2017 for athletes from around the world.” Colorado Springs, CO, December 7, 2016 – USA Weightlifting and the Local Organizing Committee, (Visit Anaheim/Sports Anaheim), are pleased to announce Eleiko has been selected as the Official Equipment Supplier for the 2017 World Championships to be held Nov. 28 - Dec. 5, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Eleiko has been setting the standard for weightlifting equipment since 1957, with the introduction of its revolutionary barbell design. Since then, Eleiko has become the worldwide leader in providing equipment to the international weightlifting, powerlifting, as well as strength and conditioning communities. The company has supplied equipment to 42 world championships since 1963, including the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships in Houston, and has seen more than 1,000 world records set by athletes using an Eleiko bar. “This is an exciting time for Eleiko, USA Weightlifting, and Anaheim,” said Erik Blomberg, CEO Eleiko Group AB. “We are thrilled to once again be the official equipment supplier for a World Championship event. We have been supporting athletes for 60 years, and are excited to continue this tradition in Anaheim, providing the highest caliber athletes with equipment specifically designed to help them reach their goals, become champions and set world records.” The World Championships are returning to America for a back to back events after Penang, Malaysia, the original host city, resigned from the event and Anaheim stepped in to host the 2017 World Championships. This will be the first time the IWF World Championships will be held in the city, which has hosted major sporting events including the 1984 Olympic Games' wrestling matches, held at the Anaheim Convention Center. About USA Weightlifting USA Weightlifting, a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), is the National Governing Body for the Olympic Sport of Weightlifting in the USA. The mission of USA Weightlifting shall be to enable United States athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic competition and to promote and grow the sport of Weightlifting in the United States. www.USAWeightlifting.org About Eleiko For almost 60 years, Eleiko Sport has been a worldwide leader within the international strength training communities. Our weightlifting, powerlifting and strength & conditioning products have been delivered to more than 180 countries. They are often seen at the world’s largest championships, where more than 1,000 world records have been set with an Eleiko bar. Eleiko is headquartered in Halmstad, Sweden, and employs people across offices in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, Russia and the USA. Source: ELEIKO Press Contacts: Jenny Wilde Marketing Director, Eleiko [email protected] + 46 35 17 70 70 Phil Andrews CEO, USA Weightlifting [email protected] +1 719 866

Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz has a street named after her

Hidilyn Diaz’s weightlifting skills started when her task in the family was to fetch water, carrying pails that approximate her weight. Diaz got a lot of well-deserved perks for her achievements when she won the silver medal in the women's 53-kg category at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this year. According to the information published on Cosmo website, she officially received her new home from the housing company at the Deca Clark Resort and Residences (DCRR) in Angeles, Pampanga and as an added bonus, the street inside DCRR where her house is located is specially named after her. After Rio, she has been visiting schools to give inspirational talks to students, telling them about the hardships she has gone through before her Olympic feat, and stressing on the importance of education even for successful athletes like her. She plans to enroll at College of Saint Benilde for a Business Management degree and build a weightlifting gym in Mampang to create a lasting legacy from her Olympic medal. “I see a lot of potential from aspiring weightlifters in Mampang, and even in the whole country. So I can say that the future is bright for the Philippines in weightlifting,” the 25-year-old Diaz said. Source: