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India’s superb start at Glasgow 2014

Altogether 235 athletes from 37 countries will compete in the weightlifting event that lasts 8 days. Media are celebrating India's "rollicking start" at the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday. India won a total of seven medals on the opening day with weightlifters KHUMUKCHAM Sanjita Chanu and DEY Sukhen securing a gold each in weightlifting. In the Women’s 48kg bodyweight category KHUMUKCHAM Sanjita Chanu had no opponents and won India's first gold medal at Glasgow 2014. In her last Clean & Jerk attempt, CHANU SAIKHOM Mirabai (IND) could grab the victory from her compatriot but missed her lift on 98kg. She was awarded the Silver. Bronze Medallist OPARA Nkechi (NGR) lifted 11kg less than the gold medal winner. Men’s 56kg bodyweight category brought a second victory for India as DEY Sukhen won the competition with 248kg. Second place went to the Malaysian lifter MD PISOL Zulhelmi (MAS). Weightlifting proved to be very profitable for India as MALI Ganesh bagged a bronze with a Total of

Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony gets Commonwealth Games off to uniquely Scottish start

By Gary Anderson insidethegames at Celtic Park in Glasgow An extravaganza of music, dance and celebration got the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games off to a spectacular start here at Celtic Park tonight as the people of Glasgow and Scotland put on a party like only they can to start the 20th edition of the Games. While quite rightly it will be the exploits of the athletes that will be the centre of attention over the next 11 days, there were stars of a different kind on show tonight as Rod Stewart, Billy Connolly, Susan Boyle and 71 Highland Terriers lit up the occasion here. While Stewart, Boyle and other artists including Amy McDonald and local dance groups entertained the packed stands it was the little terriers who led each of the 71 teams into a into Celtic Park during the Athletes Parade that were a particular favourite and a uniquely Scottish touch. In a break from tradition the teams were welcomed on by their region rather than in alphabetical order as part of a unique UNICEF campaign that was cleverly woven into the night's proceedings. Continuing on the theme of the six regions the Commonwealth Games Federation Flag was carried by Canadian Paralympic champion Chantal Peticlerc, Australian Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe, Jamaica's Olymic and world sprint champion Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Malaysian Nicol David, Kenya's Olympic champion Kip Keino and Scotland's former world and European judo champion, Graeme Randall. Then came the moment that everyone was waiting for as the Queen's Baton finally made its way into Celtic Park were Hoy bounded up to the platform to present it to the Queen. "The Baton Relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family," said the Queen. "And now, that Baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements, for the warmth of its people, for this Opening Ceremony of the Friendly Games." The Queen went on to wish good luck to all the athletes taking part in competition and to thank the organisers, volunteers and workforce who made the Games possible. She concluded: "It now gives me great pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open." Source:

Over ten thousand people lifted weightlifting barbell for the first time in Kazakhstan

Over ten thousand people attended the Open Weightlifting Class taking place on 6 July in all regional centers of Kazakhstan. The population welcome the event with great interest and enthusiasm. Both adults and children took part in practicing weightlifting while trying to get familiar with a professional training technique. Professional weightlifters held demonstrations and a friendly competition was organized for members of the audience “who lifts the heaviest weight”. Women also participated in the event and got familiar with the weightlifting barbell and the world of heavy weights. Professional trainers and specialists supervised the event and some of the most experienced weightlifters shared valuable instructions and tips with beginners. The main goal of promoting healthy lifestyle and popularizing weightlifting among the people has been successfully reached by the organizers. Great emotions and friendly atmosphere characterized the event and invaluable knowledge related to training methods and technique was transmitted to the participants by coaches. All participants were invited to attend the 2014 IWF World Championships Almaty, KAZ to be held on 8-16 November 2014 being an Olympic Qualification event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “It was the first time when we organized an Open Weightlifting Class and I must note that the number of people who showed interest in trying to lift weightlifting barbell exceeded our expectations. Each and every one expressed desire to test their abilities, which was greatly supported by demonstrations held by real professionals, knowledge exchange and motivation. Young generation had a chance to experience that weightlifting is an exciting and interesting sport. A lot of people expressed their desire to continue to be actively engaged in weightlifting, - says Marat Mussin, Executive Secretary of the Weightlifting Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Source: Weightlifting Federation of the Republic of

IWF Grand Prix 2014 President’s Cup Noyabrsk

IWF Grand Prix – 4th Russian President’s Cup will be held from 5-8 September 2014 in Noyabrsk, Russia at the Sports Center “ZENIT". The athletes will be invited to compete in the following bodyweight categories: Men 94kg, 105kg, +105kg Women 75kg, +75kg In each bodyweight category maximum 12 athletes are allowed to compete: 8 athletes are invited according to the IWF Ranking Lists (excluding Russian athletes) 2 athletes representing Russia upon approval by the President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation 2 athletes by individual applications subject to Russian Weightlifting Federation’s decision Winners according to the Total result in each bodyweight category will be awarded with Prize Money as follows: First place: 5 000 USD Second place: 3 000 USD Third place: 2 000 USD Any athlete setting up a new Senior World Record will be awarded with the following bonus: Snatch: 3 000 USD Clean & Jerk: 3 000 USD Total: 6 000 USD The Russian President’s Cup is a Qualification Event for the Rio 2016 Olympic

Australia and New Zealand to take part in 2015 Pacific Games

Australia and New Zealand are to take part in next year's Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, making it Oceania's first truly Continental Games. It will be the first time the two countries have taken part in the Games since they started in 1963. The Pacific Games Council (PGC) rubber-stamped a proposal to allow Australia and New Zealand to take part in four sports - rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting - at its General Assembly in Port Moresby. The announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Robin Mitchell, President of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), and Vidya Lakhan, chairman of the PGC. Oceania was the only region without a Continental Games and athletes from the region had to go to other competition and regions to try and qualify for the Olympics. Lakhan has assured the 22 member countries that as they move forward, they will always protect the interest and rights of the member countries. Weightlifting is present at all Continental Games except for the European Games. Source:

Ildar Khalikov met with Dr. Tamas Ajan

Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov met with President of International Weightlifting Federation Dr. Tamas Ajan at Tatarstan Government House. During the meeting, Tamas Ajan thanked Tatarstan leadership for developing the weightlifting in Russian and worldwide, as well as for holding the World Championship among juniors up to 20 years old at the highest level. Ildar Khalikov and Tamas Ajan discussed prospects of holding new large international weightlifting competitions in Kazan. Tamas Ajan said that the International Weightlifting Federation is willing to consider Kazan as a candidate to host the World Championship among men and women in 2017-2018. Ildar Khalikov, in his turn, pointed out that after the Universiade Kazan is able to host competitions of the highest level. Tatarstan Minister of Youth Affairs and Sport Rafis Burganov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation Sergey Syrtsov and Senior Coach of junior weightlifting Russian team Nikolay Kolesnikov took part in the meeting. Source: