News

AL-HABSI Ahmed Salim Said won the first medal for Oman

W44kg Two South American countries, Colombia and Venezuela were joined by Indonesia at the first medal ceremony held during the 2016 IWF Youth World Championships Penang, Malaysia. The 44kg Women opened the show and some of them stepped for the first time on the international sport stage. Athletes showed a balanced performance BERRIO Zuluaga Manuela Andrea (COL) happened to be the opponent to defeat. None of the other competitors could even come close and she easily won the Gold medal with 67kg-87kg and a Total of 154kg. Silvar medal went to VINATASARI Nur (INA) while the third place was awarded both in the Snatch, Clean and Jerk and in the Total to Quintana Mendoza Rosielis Coromoto (VEN) M50kg This is the last IWF World Championships where winning by bodyweight is still possible because following the modification of the TCRR, bodyweight advantage is abolished as of 1st January 2017. This advantage gave the victory to LE Nguyen Quoc Bao (VIE) ending with a Total of 211kg – just as CHOMCHUEN Natthawat (THA)      who happened to be heavier at this competition. Third place of the podium went to GARCIA PEREZ Jairo Luis (COL). Penang staged the 1st medal ever won at a World Championships for Oman! It is a big achievement for AL-HABSI Ahmed Salim Said (OMA) and shows that investing in development and grassroots can be rewarding. He achieved it in the Clean and Jerk and missed the podium in the Total by only 1kg (lifting 208kg). W48kg Women’s 48kg bodyweight category brought the first gold medal of China as ZHAO Jinhong (CHN) – with a strong dominance over the field – lifted 80kg in the Snatch, 95kg in the Clean and Jerk and made a Total of 175kg – being 13kg more than then the silver medallist. With 162kf, FANG Wan-Ling (TPE), Asian Youth Champion in 2015 ended up second. 4th place in the Snatch and ending also 4th in the Clean and Jerk, REICHARDT Hayley Marie (USA) defeated those – DOGAN Ayse (TUR) 3rd / NANTHAWONG Chiraphan (THA) 2nd – taking away the podium from her. REICHARDT made a Total 152kg and won the Bronze Medal proving that USA is again a country to count on a serious medal

IWF Executive Board meeting and Congress in Penang, MAS

The IWF had an Executive Board meeting and Congress in Penang, Malaysia prior to the 2016 IWF Youth World Championships to start on 20 October. Constitution and By-Laws Francois Carrard Dr. iur., Attorney at Law presented the amendments to the IWF Constitution and By-Laws amended and approved by both the Executive Board and Congress. As another move towards gender parity, the new Constitution will provide a minimum of two positions for Women in the leadership one being Vice President and the other one Executive Board member. The IWF Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations were ratified effective from 1 January 2017. Finance   The Board received update on the IWF Financial status from IWF Financial Advisor for 2016 and approved the Budget for 2017. Allocation of the 2019 IWF World Championships The Executive Board unanimously decided to attribute the hosting right for the 2019 IWF World Championships to the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association - Pattaya, THA. Development Program A status report on the 2016 Development Program was presented and the 2017 Development Program was approved. Both were presented to the Congress delegates. Membership The Memberships Commission presented its report. Anti-Doping Both bodies received update on Anti-Doping related issues. Communication and Marketing Both the Executive Board and the Congress received a report about current projects and changes carried out in the field of Communication and Marketing. Rio 2016 Congress delegates received an inclusive report praising the success of weightlifting at the Olympic Games and the wonderful conditions provided to weightlifting by the Organizing Committee. Appreciating the work of Pedro Meloni, Weightlifting Sport Manager, the sport legacy remaining in Brazil and the new cooperation possibilities such as the very successful Spectator experience zone, Congress delegates had an insight in the memorable Rio 2016 Games. Reports on the preparation of the future events 2016 FISU Merida, MEX / 2017 IWF YWC Bangkok, THA / 2017 IWF JWC Tokyo, JPN / 2017 Universiade Taipei, TPE / 2017 IWF WC Anaheim, USA The Qualification System for 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, ARG that was approved by the IOC was presented to the delegates.   The President of the Iranian Weightlifting Federation, Ali Moradi appeared in front of the Executive Board and apologized also on behalf of the athlete, Behdad Salimikordasiabi and his coach Sajjad Anoushiravani for their behavior at the incident that happened in the +105kg competition at the Rio Olympic Games. He said they were extremely sorry and apologized to those concerned. The Executive Board accepted the apology and warned the Iranian Federation that such occurrences should not happen

Anaheim, USA to Host 2017 IWF World Championships

PENANG, Malaysia — The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board reallocated the 2017 IWF World Championships to USA Weightlifting. This comes after the original host city, Penang, Malaysia, encountered difficulties and resigned from the organization the event. USA Weightlifting will bring the event to Anaheim, USA. “We are saddened that Penang will not be able to host the 2017 IWF World Championships. The people of Penang and Malaysia are always so welcoming to our athletes,” IWF President Dr. Tamás Aján said. “We are grateful that Anaheim stepped in to host the world’s biggest weightlifting competition of 2017.” The City of Anaheim is located in close proximity to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and is home to Disneylandâ Resort , the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. 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’s Olympic Games wrestling matches, held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The 2017 IWF World Championships will be held Nov. 28 - Dec. 5, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center. This is the first time the event will be held in Anaheim, California. “It is an honor to welcome the 2017 IWF World Championships to the United States,” USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews said. “We thank the IWF Executive Board for their trust in hosting the sport’s biggest event of 2017. We look forward to working with our partners at the IWF and Visit Anaheim to hold a great event for the athletes.” The IWF World Championships were last held in the United States in 2015 when Houston hosted the event. “The 2015 IWF World Championships in Houston were magical,” USA Weightlifting Board of Directors Chair Ursula Garza Papandrea said. “We cannot wait to host the world’s best athletes back here in the United States. It will be a great competition.” The Anaheim Convention Center is located in the Anaheim Resort district, centrally located between Los Angeles and San Diego, Anaheim is easily accessible from four nearby airports including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), to easily shuttle IWF athletes to their accomodations in Anaheim. “We are thrilled to welcome the 2017 IWF World Championships to Anaheim,” said Jay Burress, President & CEO, Visit Anaheim. “Anaheim is a world-class sports destination that is only growing through the work and partnerships our Sports Anaheim team has been forging. We look forward to hosting IWF in 2017 and some of the sport’s greatest athletes in our city.” PRESS CONTACTS: Anna Resman USA Weightlifting [email protected] 507-261-9920 Tania Weinkle Visit Anaheim [email protected]

9th International Tournament Vladan Mihajlovic Memorial

The 9th International Tournament Vladan Mihajlovic Memorial was held in Indjija, Serbia on 8th October 2016. 25 lifters from 8 nations (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Israel, Malta, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey) took part in the Tournament organised by the Serbian Weightlifting Federation, under the leadership of Milan Mihajlovic, SSDT President. Prof. Dr. Milan Mihajlovic said: “We are very thankful to IWF without their support we would not be able to organize this competition.” Results can be

IWF Education Seminar in Penang

The IWF will hold an educational seminar in Penang, Malaysia in the frame of the IWF Education Program. We kindly invite all our Member Federations to participate! The seminar is going to be held on 24th October, 2016 at 10 o'clock in Hotel Equatorial. Presentations on the following topics, presented by internationally recognized presenters: Anti-Doping and Medical issues Ethical issues, Olympic Movement Media Training Other interesting topics We expect all the athletes and coaches to participate. Small gifts will be

Slovenian Weightlifting Federation President visited the IWF

Damjan Canzek, President of Slovenian Weightlifting Federation visited the IWF Office recently. Among discussions on the actual issues, the IWF provided educational assistance on competition management in order to successfully organize international events in Slovenia, including the upcoming Mediterranean