News

Waldemar Baszanowski passed away

The International Weightlifting Federation has been informed with deep sorrow about the death of Waldemar Baszanowski this morning. He was one of the greatest weightlifting personalities ever and fantastic weightlifter. His results speak for themselves. Double Olympic Champion, several times World and European Champion, Waldemar Baszanowski lived an exemplary existence and by losing him, we will miss a great and prominent character. "I am proud of our long lasting cooperation in the development of weightlifting sport and of our decades of fruitful and meaningful friendship. " - said Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President. After his successful sport career, he worked as coach in Poland and in different countries of the world. He developed the level of Indonesian Weightlifting to the forefront of the international stage. He was an esteemed and celebrated figure by his athletes and colleagues alike, who glorified his invaluable work and talent. Former professor at the University of Physical Education in Warsaw for many years, he also accomplished with efficiency and professionalism his work as President of the European Weightlifting Federation for 9 years. As Executive Board Member of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and figurehead of international sports diplomacy he achieved great merits. His human qualities have made him an example to follow for the young generation. It is with great regret that we acknowledged a few years ago his retirement and thereafter a tragic accident forcing this energetic and youthful person into inactivity. After his retirement, Waldemar Basanowski maintained a very close working and friendly relationship with the Polish Weightlifting Federation as well as with the International Weightlifting Federation. We will miss him as a competitor, coach, teacher, sports leader committed to weightlifting. His departure leaves a big vacuum in the Weightlifting Family, and we will never forget

2007 Junior World Champion Siarhei Lahun passed away

Siarhei Lahun, the 22 year old Belarus lifter died in tragic circumstances on 23 April 2011. Gold Medallist in 2007 at the Junior World Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic, Siarhei Lahun continued on the path of international success as a senior lifter. He competed in 2009 at the World Championships in Goyang, Korea where he earned a Gold Medal in Clean & Jerk and won the Silver in Total. His great performances allowed him to grab the third place in the course of 2010 at the World Championships held in Antalya, Turkey. He proved to be invincible in Clean & Jerk, and stood on the top of the podium for the second consecutive World Championship to take over the Gold. His death is a great loss for Weightlifting Family. The International Weightlifting Federation expresses its deep condolences and our thoughts go to his family and relatives. In the tragic car accident, the lifter Yauheni Zharnasek (BLR) also suffered severe injuries and remains in hospital receiving intensive

Easter Greetings

The IWF would like to take the opportunity to greet you with sincere wishes for a very glad Easter and Spring

Comparative Chart of the EWC and AWC results

Media experts and international weightlifting specialists are analyzing the results of the European Championships and the Asian Championships in order to make a comparison between the two events held at the same time; on two different continents; with different Technical Officials. In order to facilitate the work of professional analyzers, the IWF decided to produce a Comparative Chart with combined results for both events. Complementary information in regard to the previous gold medallists of the 2008 Olympic Games Beijing, 2009 WWC Goyang and 2010 WWC Antalya were added. This study gives useful data for the preparation period of the upcoming 2011 World Championships held in Paris, France and the London 2012 Olympic Games. The 2011 European Championships held in Kazan, Russia attracted 72 Women and 114 Men lifters, which means a Total of 186 competing athletes. The 2011 Asian Weightlifting Championships Tongling, China involved a relatively small number of participants. Only 94 athletes competed at the event (35 Women and 59 Men). The high level competitions meet the expectations of World Championships.Both competitions were organized with outstanding standards of professionalism; but maybe the difficulties to reach the city of Tongling for the National Federations willing to participate in the Asian Competition resulted in the lower participation. With only 1 year left before the London 2012 Olympic Games, all National Federations' priority is to build up their National Team. The Comparative Chart enables National Federations' Leaders to draw their conclusions in regard to their preparation strategy for the last step of Team Qualification - the 2011 World Championships Paris. Click here to view the

New leader for the Mongolian Weightlifting Federation

The Electoral Congress of the Mongolian Weightlifting Federation was held on April 2nd in the city of Darkhan, Mongolia. Dr. Demchigjav Zagdsuren, also President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee (MNOC) was elected unanimously by the Congress as President of the Mongolian Weightlifting Federation. The 53 year old sports leader is President of the MNOC since 2001, and initiated the development of many Olympic activities. His main objective is to further improve the achievements of Mongolian weightlifting and increase its visibility in order to make it a top sport within the country. Mr.Baasankhuu Gansukh was re-elected as Secretary-General of the Mongolian Weightlifting Federation for another

U.S.-China People-to-People Exchange

The United States and China concluded last week the 2nd High Level People-to-People Exchanges in Education, Culture, Science and Technology and Sport. This video was produced by IIP in April 2011. The speaker in this video is Dragomir Cioroslan, Director of International Strategies and Development for the United States Olympic Committee. Check out the sample of the sport exchanges