News

Pan American Games and PAWF Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico

The PAWF Congress was held on 22 October in Guadalajara, Mexico during the Pan American Games. Besides the IWF representatives Mr. Dragomir Cioroslan, Vice President and Mr. Basilio Chalak, Executive Board Member; 20 countries attended the Congress. Mr. Cioroslan delivered Dr. Tamás Aján IWF President's message to the delegations and conveyed the IWF's appreciation to Mr. Willian Ozuna, PAWF President and Mr. Rosalio Alvarado, Mexican Weightlifting Federation President. Held prior to the competitions, the Congress featured several reports and presentations by the 2012 Pan American events' Organizing Committees. The Congress proved that the Pan American weightlifting family is very united. The Pan American weightlifting competition is off to a good start. Only 7 sports are televised live out of 37. Weightlifting is one of them. Also weightlifting is one of the seven broadcasted live on

Steve Patris passed away

It is with great sadness that the IWF was informed of the untimely passing of our dear friend and colleague, Steve Patris, the President of Palau Weightlifting Federation. Sadly yesterday morning at the age of 55 Steve lost his brave battle with cancer. His son Stevick, who is presently at the Oceania Weightlifting Institute preparing for the World Championships in Paris next week, was informed by his family yesterday of this tragic loss. Steve Patris last request was that his son continues lifting in New Caledonia at the Institute and prepares for the World Championships. Steve loved the sport of weightlifting. For many years he was the driving force behind the Palau Weightlifting. He coached his daughters Alexandra and Alexandrina and of course young Stevick. He was also Category 1 referee and refereed many Oceania Championships, Pacific Games and International Events. Steve was highly respected by everyone who knew him. Together with the OWF, the IWF wishes to express its deepest sympathies to the Patris

Marcin Dolega after surgery

Current World Champion Marcin Dolega (105 kg) spent his week end in a Lodz hospital as his shoulder had to be operated. The procedure was performed arthroscopically. The first stage of rehabilitation should last two weeks. Back to light training should take place for about a month. If everything will proceed as it should and Dolega quickly returns to his full health and fitness he can start his normal training and preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games on 1

Iran’s greatest hopes

Iran's national team is trained by head coach Koroush Bagheri (34), world champion in 2001 in Antalya (94 kg). His team's strongest point is World Champion and Asian Games gold medallist Behdad Salimi (22) in superheavy category. World's strongest man proved himself a modern Hercules lifted 214 kilograms for his second snatch. He managed to elevate 217 kilograms overhead in his third attempt at Takhti Stadium of the provincial capital Sanandaj located 1800 meters above the sea level as ISNA reported. The current world record set by Iranian icon Hossein Rezazadeh, who had snatched 213 kilograms in 2003. Salimi lifted personal record 256 kg in clean and jerk and reached 473 kg in total, one kg more than Rezazadeh's current world record set up in Sydney in 2000.Salimi's main goal in Paris is to set up official world records in snatch and total, along with winning three gold medals. Iran's other favourite is Kianoush Rostami (20) in 85kg category. He won the bronze medal in Antalya in 77kg category. He was then crowned as junior world champion in Malaysia in 85 kg (on bodyweight). He is now working hard to win the senior championships title. During his trainings he has lifted 170-175 kilogram in snatch, and 210-215 in clean and jerk. Iran's third greatest hope is Saeed Mohammadpour junior world champion in Malaysia in 94 kg category. He is in top shape, his training results are 180 kg in snatch and 215-220 in clean and jerk. His results in Penang were 175 kg and 210 kg. His strong rival is Asghar Ibrahimi, silver medalist at Asian Games in 94 kg category. Sajad Behrouzi (22), who participated in 2005 Qatar WWC at his age of 16 years old, will compete in 69 kg. (by Mohammad Reza

A blind lifter on the platform in Paris

Malek Chamoun (22) qualified to compete at the world championships in Paris next month. Chamoun was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of seven and by 15 was declared legally blind. The condition has continued to deteriorate over time and today he must use a cane to get around. Yet with his father George, a former Australian weightlifting representative, as his coach and with mother Rita supporting on the home front, Malek took up weightlifting at age 12 and, after many frustrations and setbacks. "To learn the lifts, other people do it by seeing it done, but I learned to do it all by feel. I use my other senses. Balance is an issue I seem to have worked out" - he explained. He placed second, just 6kg in total, behind Commonwealth Games gold medallist Simplice Ribouem, in the 85kg bodyweight category at the recent nationals. Chamoun tallied 319kg with competition personal-best lifts of 140kg for the snatch and 179kg for the clean and jerk. Then the weightlifting training starts at home on the most inspirational stage imaginable: the actual Sydney Olympic weightlifting platform, which his father bought at auction. "The weights are easier to see than the bar. But I know the bar is going to be in the middle of the platform. I walk forward up until my legs touch the bar. And I can feel markings on the bar so I can adjust my grip." To the best of anyone in Australian weightlifting's knowledge, Chamoun will be the first blind person to compete at the world championships.(based on the story written by Mike Hurst, The Daily

Godelli: A young Albanian on his way

Albanian Daniel Godelli had his first international appearance five years ago in Sweden when he became bronze medallist at European Championships U17 in the 50kg category. This year is extremely successful for 19 years old talented lifter. Godelli introduced himself among senior in Russia in April (European championships) and won 2 bronze medals, in Malaysia in June (World Junior Championships) won 1 gold and 2 silver medals (although he lost the gold medal both in the snatch and clean and jerk on bodyweight, he emerged the winner in the total with 309 kg), and finally in Romania in September (European Junior championships) another gold enriched his collection in 69kg snatch. In clean and jerk Godelli had a serious injury in the left elbow and after his first attempt (166 kg) he had to stop competing. According to Albanian Weightlifting Federation's report however he recovered but not able for record results during his trainings two times a day. Godelli has a strong wish to qualify for London Olympic Games with a goal of fighting for a medal. The young lifter wants to continue his studies at University of Sport in