News

IWF120y/2 – 1988-1996: Naim Suleymanoglu becomes a legend

Despite his short height (1.47m), Naim Suleymanoglu is considered one of the greatest weightlifters in history, after being the first to earn three gold medals at the Olympic Games. Initially representing Bulgaria (he was born in January 1967 in Ptichar to Turkish parents), he decides in 1986 (due to ethnic tensions) to flee his country and move to Turkiye, where he received support from the local authorities. Under the Turkish flag, Suleymanoglu successfully competed in the 1988 Games in Seoul, getting the gold and three new World Records on the way (Snatch – 152.5kg, Clean & Jerk – 190kg, and Total – 342.5kg). These performances would remain his best results until the end of his career, but in 1992 in Barcelona, and 1996 in Atlanta he earns Olympic gold on both occasions, respectively in the 60kg and 64kg men’s category – a legend was born! To this incredible feat, the “Pocket Hercules” (nickname by which he was known) also added seven IWF World Championships titles and 46 WR to his roll of honour! Suleymanoglu died in November 2017, at only 50.

IWF120y/1 – 2000: Women compete in the Olympics

While the sport was included in the inaugural edition of the Games, in 1896 in Athens (GRE), only men's events were contested for over 100 years. In 2000, in Sydney (AUS), the door was finally open to women, reflecting the evolution of weightlifting in the five continents. That important premiere was highlighted by the participation of 85 lifters from 47 countries, competing in seven bodyweight categories. China dominated operations with four titles, but three individual stories emerged from the competition: when winning the 75kg event, Maria Isabel Urrutia (podium photo) became the first Olympic gold medallist (all sports included, men and women) for Colombia; Soraya Jimenez (MEX, 58kg), was the first-ever female winner for her country in the Games; and in the 69kg category, the bronze of Karnam Malleswari also represented the inaugural women’s podium presence in the history of the Olympics for

2025-2028 IWF Refugee Team: few days left to apply!

All the candidates to the 2025-2028 IWF Refugee Team have still six days – until February 16 – to send their application to the IWF, in accordance with the regulations published in the first days of the year. In accordance to those guidelines, the IWF Refugee Team – initially created in 2023 – will be composed by two male and two female lifters, to be chosen by the IWF Refugee Working Group. Two additional athletes (one from each gender) can be included in the group, provided they are IOC Refugee Scholarship holders. In order to be eligible for the Team, athletes must be officially recognised as refugees in the country they reside, in accordance with the UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency) protocols. In the selection process, priority will be given to lifters coming from war zones and areas affected by environmental disasters. The lifters included in the IWF Refugee Team can compete in IWF events, but will not be considered for the Los Angeles 2028 Qualification System and Olympic Games. This prerogative is reserved to athletes with an IOC scholarship. The members selected to the IWF Refugee Team must fully comply with the IWF Anti-Doping Rules and complete all education activities related to this topic. Besides the four lifters, a Team Manager and a Team Physiotherapist will also integrate the programme. Don’t lose your opportunity to join the IWF Refugee Team – send you application by February 16, 2025! All relevant information can be

2025: Celebrating IWF’s 120th anniversary!

2025 is a very special year for the IWF, as it marks the 120th anniversary since its foundation on June 10, 1905. In Duisburg, Germany, the pioneering national federations that established the basis of the world governing body for the sport of weightlifting, were far from imagining the progress made during this rich and prestigious history. After great achievements in 2024 – namely the success of the Olympic Games in Paris, France, and the impeccable organisation of the IWF World Championships in Manama, Bahrain – our International Federation has reasons to be optimistic and look at an event brighter future. From tomorrow, February 11, to June 10, there are exactly 120 days – in each of them, we will recall a milestone in the history of the IWF. It may be a pivotal moment within its organisation, it may be the performance of a great legend of the sport, or it may refer to an unforgettable competition. These highlights are not presented in chronological order, and do not pretend to be an exhaustive list of the IWF achievements during these 120 years. They are selected moments and feats of those men and women who made weightlifting a great and important Sport in the Olympic movement. In a year of celebration, let’s then get inspired by the IWF’s history, an organisation initially created to provide a structured framework for competitions and to create opportunities for weightlifters to showcase their talents on an international stage, but that became over these years an inspiring platform for all those loving the sport of weightlifting. While the road ahead is filled with challenges, it also encompasses numerous opportunities for further improvement across our members, and respective athletes, officials, coaches, and administrators in the five continents! IWF

Happy Chinese New Year!

The People’s Republic of China is celebrating the arrival of a New Year and we address our warmest and most successful wishes to the entire weightlifting community in this beautiful country! China is a great powerhouse in our Sport and has produced some of the most talented athletes in the history of weightlifting. The achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games demonstrate this strength and devotion. Moreover, China has been and will continue to be a valuable partner of our International Federation. In 2026, our IWF World Championships will be excellently hosted by the city of Ningbo, and I am sure all participants in this showcase will enjoy the great hospitality of the Chinese people. The dedication and tradition in weightlifting led China to inaugurate last October the first-ever museum totally dedicated to our Sport in the world! 2025 will be the Year of the Snake, an animal symbolising wisdom, intelligence, and continuous transformation. As the snake regularly changes its skin, we hope the Chinese weightlifting family can find renewed energy and motivation to continue shining both on and off the platform. On this special occasion, we wish the best of health, happiness, and success to all athletes, coaches, officials, and administrators within the Chinese weightlifting family. May 2025 – the Year of the Snake – bring you excellence and inspiration for great feats! Happy Chinese New Year! Mohammed JaloodIWF

IWF meets with the UNHCR on the Refugee Team programme

Florian Sperl, IWF Executive Board member and coordinator of the IWF Refugee Team project, was yesterday at the headquarters of UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency in Geneva (Switzerland), where he had the opportunity to discuss our International Federation’s programme with representatives of the UN body in charge of this topic.  As a reminder, the first IWF Refugee Team was launched in 2023, and some of its athletes could participate in the IWF World Championships organised that year in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). In 2024, the project continued and two athletes from the team successfully took part in the Paris Olympic Games. Moreover, four of them also competed at the recent IWF World Championships, held last December in Manama (Bahrain). From left to right: Nick Sore (UNHCR), Francesca Bonelli (UNHCR), Florian Sperl (IWF) and Stephen Reynard (UNHCR) Given the success of the project, and to give additional stability to the programme, the IWF decided to open applications for a new Refugee Team for the period 2025-2028, thus covering the entire Olympic cycle until the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The IWF Refugee Team will be composed of two male and two female lifters, to be chosen by the IWF Refugee Working Group. Two additional athletes (one from each gender) can be included in the group, provided they are IOC Refugee Scholarship holders. To be eligible for the Team, athletes must be officially recognised as refugees in the country they reside, in accordance with the UNHCR protocols. The deadline for candidates’ applications is February 16, 2025.  Ramiro Mora, IWF Refugee Team “We had a very friendly and positive meeting! I presented our project to the UNHCR representatives and they were quite happy about the way we are supporting these lifters. It perfectly matches their own objectives and their actions around the world, where millions of people are experiencing challenging experiences as refugees,” considered Mr Sperl after the meeting. The IWF EB member met with Ms Francesca Bonelli (Head, Partnership and Coordination Service – Division of External Relations), Mr Nick Sore (Senior Refugee Sport Coordinator), and Mr Stephen Reynard (Sport Project Coordination Officer), and also discussed further ways of reinforcing the programme. Aline de Souza, IWF Refugee Team Ms. Bonelli shared her thoughts following the meeting: “We appreciate the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) support for refugees. We look forward to celebrating the successes of the IWF Refugee Team and to exploring further opportunities to improve the wellbeing and opportunities for people forced to flee through the sport of weightlifting.” Mr. Sperl concluded: “Another future possibility is to actively co-operate with the UNHCR to provide weightlifting equipment to refugee camps or to reinforce the structures already in place. As sport plays an important role in the integration of refugees into their new life environment, we can certainly offer some support in this area.” IWF Communications