News

One of the oldest world record set 17 years ago

In some sports, most of the world records are fresh from the oven while rare are those established long time ago. For example, Lasha TALAKHADZE set a new World Record at the European Championship on April 8th 2017 with 217kg in the Snatch while the oldest one was set on 17 years ago on April 29th. In 2000, at the end of the first month of spring the Polish Szymon KOLECKI set a new World Record in the 94kg bodyweight category in the Clean and Jerk with 232 kg. As an interesting fact, the Snatch and Total World Records also set in the same bodyweight category were set on November 27, 1999. Three-times Olympic Champion Akakios KAKIASVILIS alias Kakhi KAKHIASHVILI, the President of the Weightlifting Federation of Georgia set both of them in Athens (188kg in the Snatch and 412kg in the Total). These are the oldest records in weightlifting

Development Program Seminar held in Buenos Aires

The Argentinean Weightlifting Federation organized a Seminar in Buenos Aires for the South American Federations within the framework of the IWF Development Program. The topics covered the Development policies and the growth of weightlifting in the region and beside the local experts; Mr. Carlos Segura - President of UNO Deportes Mr. Gabriel Andreu - Development Director at National Sports Secretary Mr. Gustavo Majauskas - General Secretary of the Argentinean Weightlifting Federation Dr. Rosalio A. Alvarado Del Angel from Mexico and Mr. Eduardo Gonzalez from Venezuela did presentations. The IWF was represented by Mr. Jose Quinones, IWF Vice President, Chairman of Development and Education Commission and Ms. Timea Horvath, IWF Development and Education Manager who gave information on IWF's Development and Education programs. The seminar was very interactive as the participants shared their own experiences with each other. After the Seminar the South American Confederation held an unofficial meeting where they discussed the most important South American events and necessary arrangements. All participants agreed that the seminar was a great success and more of this kind of seminars shall be done for the development of weightlifting in the region. The IWF hopes this was the beginning of a series and could support more seminars not only in South America but everywhere in the

Swedish Weightlifting Federation Elections

The Swedish Weightlifting Federation held its Election on 23rd of April 2017. Thomas Wesselhoff was unanimously elected by the Swedish annual meeting as President of the Swedish Weightlifting Federation replacing  Eva Helgesson. Approximately 40 delegates took part in the annual meeting. The following officials were elected: President: Thomas Wesselhoff Vice President: Kjell-Åke Johansson Member: Fredrik Svensson Member: Erling Åkesson Member: Gabriella Pröckl Member: Patrik Helgesson Member: Thomas Östlund Congratulations to all the elected

European Small Nations Elections

The European small nation’s delegates met in San Marino for the quadrennial electoral congress to elect the General Secretary for weightlifting. Jesmond Caruana, President of Malta Weightlifting Association was elected for this position for the period between 2017-2021 with the full support of all members present. Mr. Caruana started the sport of weightlifting back in 1981; in 2002 he took the position of Treasurer of the association and held the position of General Secretary and President of Malta Weightlifting Association since 2009. He was elected in many different positions in the world of international weightlifting such as Member of the Technical Committee of the European Weightlifting Federation, Vice President of the European Union Weightlifting Federation, Executive Board Member of the Commonwealth Weightlifting and Mediterranean Weightlifting Federation. Congratulations to all the elected

Hungary and IWF mourning one of their greatest

Imre Földi, first Olympic champion of Hungarian weightlifting, Sportsman of the Nation died shortly before his 79th birthday due on 8 May. Földi medalled in three Olympic Games in the 56kg category: winning silver in 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City, before finally winning gold in 1972 Munich, where he set a world record, one in his altogether 20 world records. He was six times world and ten times European champion. For a long time he was the only weightlifter in the world to have participated in 5 Olympic Games. He was also successful as a coach of his daughter, Csilla Földi who collected 16 European champion gold medals. In 2002 Imre Földi was awarded the Olympic Order and had Tatabánya's Sports Hall being named after him in 2009. In 1993 he became a member of the Hall of Fame and in 2005 he was elected by the IWF among the Lifters of the Century . With Földi's death the weightlifting world lost one of its all-time greatest champions and Hungary its most successful weightlifter ever. Our sympathy goes to the family and the Hungarian Weightlifting

Fiji Weightlifting Association Elections

The Fiji Weightlifting Association held its Annual General Meeting on April 2nd, 2017. The following officials were elected: President: Atma Maharaj General Secretary: Ritesh Ratiram Vice President: Della Shaw-Elder Vice President: Makitalena Cikamatana Treasurer: Sikeli Tuinamuana Committee Members: Wallene Powell-Vueti, Roselyn Cikamatana, Henry N Elder. Athletes Representative: Manueli Tulo Long-term Executive Member, Mr Chris Yee has decided to step down from the role of Vice President. However, he will contribute to continue supporting Weightlifting Fiji through his role as a life member. Full list of Weightlifting Fiji Officers: Patron: Dr Robin Mitchell Vice Patron: George Patterson Life Members: Vidhya Prakash Lakhan, Major General Sitiveni Rabuka, Vilitati Silatolu Qumivutia, Chris Dard Keung Yee. National Development Officer: Joe Vueti Assistant National Development Officer: Manueli Tulo Congratulations to all the elected