News

IWF establishes World Standards for the new bodyweight categories

Following the introduction of the new IWF bodyweight categories, effective 1 August 2026, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is pleased to announce the new World Standards for the Snatch, Clean & Jerk and Total across all bodyweight categories, genders and age groups. The methodology applied follows the same principles used for the establishment of the World Standards after the previous bodyweight category revision on 1 June 2025. To ensure consistency, fairness and credibility, the new standards have been calculated using the existing World Records and World Standards from the previous bodyweight categories as the reference.  For those bodyweight categories that remain unchanged from the previous revision—Men: 60 kg, 65 kg, 110 kg and +110 kg; Women: 53 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, +77 kg (Youth), 86 kg and +86 kg—the existing World Records and World Standards have been retained. This approach reflects the fact that these categories and their corresponding World Records and World Standards were established within the last 14 months, ensuring continuity and fairness for the athletes. For the newly introduced bodyweight categories, the same mathematical model adopted in 2025 has been applied. The current World Records and World Standards were used to establish a performance trendline, from which the corresponding reference values for the new categories were determined. To create realistic and achievable World Standards while maintaining their prestige, the calculated reference values were adjusted to 98%. This methodology ensures consistency across all bodyweight categories while preserving the integrity of the sport.  The complete list of World Records & World Standards for the new bodyweight categories is available HERE.

Glasgow, Review: ‘Thankyou Scotland!’ Trebles all round, Olympians excel – and so does the crowd

“Make as much noise as you can! Shout, scream, clap your hands, stamp your feet – there are no noise limits in weightlifting and these athletes need your support!” That was the constant message to large and responsive audiences from speakers Ian Oswald and Simon Grace during five memorable days of Commonwealth Games weightlifting at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. “They were so noisy I couldn’t hear myself think,” said Emily Campbell after earning the loudest cheers of the week on her way to victory for England in the super-heavyweights. Emily Campbell (ENG) “Support like this can push you to lift five or ten kilos extra,” said her team-mate Bella Brown, the 77kg silver medallist. The atmosphere in the venue, enhanced by presenters and a DJ who ramp up spectator engagement, is a large part of what makes weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games such a success. That, and the fact that everything is somehow more “human” than other competitions, with so many remarkable athlete stories and everybody enjoying themselves. Not for nothing is this event – open to more than a third of the world’s population in more than 70 teams - known as “The Friendly Games”. Plenty of weightlifting fans in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are either unaware of the Commonwealth Games or dismissive of them, because the standard is not as high as a World Championships or Olympic Games. Maude Charron (CAN) That may be true but the crowds and atmosphere are on a different level to many World Championships. And the stars of Glasgow 2026 included the Olympic champion Maude Charron from Canada plus two other Olympic medallists, Mirabai Chanu from India and Campbell. Some of the world’s top younger lifters were there too, including the winners Seine Stowers from Samoa and Charlotte Simoneau from Canada, and bronze medallist Femily Notte from Nauru. No woman had ever won three golds in a row before this year. Three achieved the feat at the Armadillo, which also hosted the 2014 Games - Charron, Chanu and Eileen Cikamatana from Australia, whose first win was for Fiji. Aznil Bidin (MAS) One of Malaysia’s five male champions, Aznil Bidin, was also winning for a third time. He was the first to do it since the 1990s and the first from Asia. Joining them on the podium were a psychologist, a gym owner, two refugees with uplifting life stories and a firefighter who trains alone in his garage and was Scotland’s only medallist. Three of the 10 women in the 53kg session were in their 40s and two of them will be trying to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. As at Birmingham 2022, the show was overseen by Jo Calvino, a former athlete and now competition manager. In Birmingham the venue was known as “the party hall” and among those who enjoyed it was Mohammed Jalood, the IWF president who was back for more in Glasgow. Eileen Cikamatana (AUS) He presented the team awards to Malaysia’s men and England’s women. “Women first and men second in the Team Shield - England’s best Games ever,” said Matthew Curtain from British Weight Lifting. Jalood also made an award to Sam Coffa, the Australian who has been involved in weightlifting since the 1950s and was attending his 13th Commonwealth Games. “I can’t remember a better one than this - and they did it at short notice,” Coffa said. Glasgow had stepped in when Victoria, Australia, withdrew. It did a good job and India will be keen to impress when Ahmedabad hosts the centenary Games in 2030. Mirabai Chanu (IND) Malaysia topped the medals table with five golds, one silver and one bronze. A month-long training camp in Turkiye and further hard work at home had the team in top condition. They spent months away from their families. “I haven’t even seen my mum for three months,” said 22-year-old Syahmi Nor-Ghazali after winning at 94kg. “We all trained so hard and I just want to sleep now, have a long rest.” “I feel like I have sacrificed so much – but what a great feeling to win. And five gold medals is a miracle. “Thankyou God, thankyou Allah, thankyou Scotland.” By Brian Oliver Photos by Giorgio

Glasgow, Day 5: Emily Campbell stars on a big day for England – and two more golds for Oceania

Emily Campbell put on a show for a noisy full house on the final day of weightlifting at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. “They made so much noise I couldn’t hear myself think!” said Campbell after winning her second women’s super-heavyweight gold by a wide margin. Her team-mate Cyrille Tchatchet II won silver at 110kg to round off a remarkable personal journey in the 12 years since Glasgow last hosted the Games, and there was a third medal for England when Andy Griffiths took a surprise bronze in the super-heavyweights, which David Liti won in dramatic style for New Zealand. Fiji were the other winners on the final day, taking Oceania’s haul to four golds during the week. Malaysia won five and India one for Asia, Nigeria took three, Canada two and Campbell’s win meant that for the second Games in succession all five of weightlifting’s continental federations won at least once. Emily Campbell (ENG) Campbell pulled clear in clean and jerk after three athletes finished within 2kg of each other in snatch. When she won in Birmingham four years ago, she totalled 286kg and finished 18kg clear of Iuniarra Sipaia from Samoa. This time 254kg would have been enough for victory but Campbell went for more. Everybody else had finished before Campbell, 32, came out to make her first clean and jerk on 148kg.  That secured gold and left her 10kg clear of 20-year-old Aqilah Farhana from Malaysia, with 18-year-old Etta Love from Canada third. But Campbell did not know she had won. Women's +86kg podium She returned for 155kg and 163kg to earn the biggest cheers of the week, finishing 115-163-278 – more than she made at the European and World Championships in her past two appearances. “The coaches decide everything and my job is to just go out and lift the bar,” she said. “When I made my first (clean and jerk) I didn’t know I’d won. “After the second I had a good idea that I’d done it. Then my coach asked if I wanted to go out for another one and I said yes. I’ve looked back at the replay and it was just about perfect, so I’m glad I did.” The winning margin was 25kg. Aqilah made 113-140-253 and Love, the 2024 world youth champion, 106-144-250. Sipaia struggled to 100kg in snatch and bombed out in clean and jerk. On a bad day for Samoa, two other medal contenders also bombed out – Jack Opeloge at 110kg and favourite Sanele Mao in the super-heavyweights. Campbell said: “I’m going to watch the big boys (men’s super-heavyweights) then we’re out in Glasgow tonight. I’m going to enjoy what’s happened, have some good food and maybe a few drinks.” Aqilah and Love enjoyed the experience too. “I’ve followed Emily Campbell for years and she’s so inspiring,” Love said. “To be on the platform with her was quite an experience.” Tchatchet put up a career-best performance at 110kg, a six-from-six 166-208-374, and celebrated on the platform with his mother after the medal ceremony. Cyrille Tchatchet (ENG) and his family after earning silver in the men's 110kg “It’s the first time she has ever seen me compete and for it to be here was very special,” said Tchatchet. “I have been desperate to win a Commonwealth Games medal and now I have one around my neck I don’t know how to describe it in words. “I’ve been on quite a journey, with lots of bombs along the way.” Tchatchet lifted for Cameroon back in 2014, finishing fifth at 85kg. He said it was unsafe to return because his life had turned “toxic” and stayed in Britain, sleeping rough. He ran out of money in Brighton on the South Coast, fell into depression and contemplated suicide. As a last resort he called the Samaritans, an emotional support charity, and was taken into police custody at the start of an asylum process that lasted several years. Tchatchet worked, studied, got a job as a mental health nurse in the NHS, started a family (he has two daughters), bought a house, returned to weightlifting and lifted at the Tokyo Olympic Games as a member of the IOC refugee Team.He recently qualified as a cognitive behaviour therapist and will practise in that field for a few years. “I’m back at work on Monday,” he said. Tchatchet will be back in the gym too, preparing for the World Championships in China starting in October. Taniela Rainibogi (FIJ) Taniela Rainibogi won on 170-208-378, becoming Fiji’s first gold medallist since Eileen Cikamatana in 2018. In Birmingham four years ago, Rainibogi was beaten by Don Opeloge from Samoa. This time Don’s brother Jack, who pipped Rainibogi for the Oceania title in April, was expected to be the main challenger but he bombed out in clean and jerk. Men's 110kg podium Xavier Lusignan from Canada made two good lifts for 159-197-356, which was enough for third place. The Californian Josh Uikilifi, who competes for Tonga, was fourth on 146-185-331. Commonwealth champion Mao was out of the super-heavyweights when he failed three times to snatch 175kg. That gave Liti a chance to win his second Commonwealth Games gold and he took it despite trailing Lovepreet Singh by 10kg in snatch. David Liti (NZL) Liti, who had not been at his best since finishing eighth at the Paris Olympic Games, had two attempts remaining when Lovepreet, from India, finished 176-212-388. He had to jump 16kg for victory and made it impressively before bringing his coach Tina Ball on the platform to celebrate with him. He finished 166-223-389 after declining his final attempt. Griffiths, who was sixth at 109kg in Birmingham on 346kg, moved up to the supers for the first time in international weightlifting. When Mao departed he took his chance, making 165-191-356 for bronze. Griffiths, who runs a gym in the northwest of England, is Tchatchet’s room-mate and friend. “I moved up in weight to avoid Cyrille,” he said. “I didn’t fancy my chances of qualifying up against him. I loved it – got to eat a lot and ended up with a medal. I think I’ll be staying as a super.” Men's +110kg podium Liti wanted to bring his coach into the limelight because she persuaded him into the sport when he was at high school and has been with him ever since. “Tina asked me if I wanted to be just another number in rugby or be somebody in weightlifting,” he said. “I made the right choice.” By Brian Oliver Photos by Giorgio

IWF launches global tender for landmark OTT Digital Platform

The IWF has officially launched an international Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting qualified companies to design, develop, implement and manage a dedicated Over-the-Top (OTT) digital platform that will transform the way weightlifting is experienced by fans around the world. The project represents a major milestone in the IWF's digital transformation strategy and reflects the Federation's ambition to build a modern, scalable and commercially sustainable platform that will serve athletes, fans, broadcasters and commercial partners for years to come. The future IWF OTT platform will become the central destination for live and on-demand weightlifting content, bringing together the Federation's extensive archive alongside coverage of its major international competitions. The project also aims to preserve the sport's rich history while making it more accessible than ever to audiences worldwide. Beyond delivering premium viewing experiences, the platform is expected to increase fan engagement, improve global accessibility, generate new digital revenues and provide additional value for sponsors and commercial partners. Rather than prescribing a single business model, the IWF is encouraging bidders to present innovative technical and commercial solutions. The IWF is seeking an experienced technology partner with a proven track record in sports OTT platforms, live event streaming and digital media monetisation, capable of supporting the Federation's long-term digital ambitions. Interested companies are invited to submit their proposals electronically in English no later than Monday, 14 September 2026. The complete Request for Proposal can be downloaded

Glasgow, Day 4: Golden treble for Australia’s Cikamatana, Samoan teen shines – and a fifth win for Malaysia

It was big day for Oceania athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Eileen Cikamatana from Australia had her third straight win, Seine Stowers from Samoa became the youngest champion of the week and Cikamatana’s team-mate Oliver Saxton won a bronze medal. Malaysia guaranteed top place in the medals table for the first time when Syahmi Nor-Ghazali won at 94kg, leaving his team on five golds and one bronze with three events to come at the SEC Armadillo on Thursday. England had two athletes on the podium – one of whom made big headlines on the BBC earlier in the day – and a psychologist claimed a bronze for Wales. Eileen Cikamatana (AUS) Cikamatana, who won for Fiji in 2018 and Australia in 2022, joined Mirabai Chanu and Maude Charron in completing a hat-trick of women’s golds – a feat that had never been achieved before these Games. After making only one snatch, Cikamatana finished well clear at 86kg on 108-140-248. Madias Ngake was second for England on 111-128-239 and Rose Beaudoin from Canada third on 103-127-230. Silver medallist Ngake was fourth last time she lifted at the Commonwealth Games way back in 2010, for Cameroon, where she was born and raised. She then finished sixth at the London 2012 Olympic Games and was promoted to third place years later after retrospective doping disqualifications, and awarded the bronze medal in 2020. Madias Ngake (ENG) By then Ngake, 34, was living and working in England, and when she returned to weightlifting that year after a long break from the sport she had switched nationality. She had stayed and sought asylum after London 2012 because of her sexuality. Being gay is illegal in Cameroon. “I had to take a decision for my safety, for my future,” she told the BBC. Women's 86kg podium Her Olympic medal was sent to Cameroon in 2020 and Ngake has never seen it, as highlighted previously by the IWF and, today, in a lengthy BBC interview that has reached a huge audience. It prompted Forrester Osei, chair of the IWF Athletes Commission, to say, “We will definitely get to work for Madias. She earned that bronze medal and she should have it in her hands. “The IWF Athletes Commission will contact the IOC Athletes Commission to raise awareness of what has happened and to ask for their help in getting something done about it. We will also contact the IOC direct and ask them to either trace the medal or make sure another one can be found for Madias.” Forrester Osei (GHA) Ngake had her hair styled in red and white for today’s competition. “Emily Campbell did it,” she laughed. “Looking back over the years, I never really thought I would be here now, winning a medal for my new country and thinking about qualifying for the next Olympic Games.” She was happy to hear of the Athletes Commission’s support and said, “It would mean so much to me to get that (Olympic) medal.” Osei was on the platform in Glasgow, finishing fifth for Ghana behind Nor Ghazali despite a serious hamstring injury suffered 10 weeks ago, which will require surgery. “I love weightlifting and I’m just grateful to be here,” he said after making 148-180-328. “I didn’t want to miss it.” Syahmi Nor-Ghazali (MAS) Nor-Ghazali was also injured, but not seriously. He suffered cramp in his left hamstring while attempting a 205kg clean and jerk, and it came back to ruin his final attempt too. “I just need some rest now, I want to sleep,” he said. “We all trained so hard for these Games, we were at a camp in Turkiye for weeks. I made a big sacrifice – I haven’t even seen my mum for three months. “But what a great feeling to win. And five gold medals is a miracle. Thankyou God, thankyou Allah, thankyou Scotland.” Men's 94kg podium Nor-Ghazali won with two good lifts on 150-197-347 ahead of Alex Bellemarre from Canada on 159-187-346. Saxton was third on 156-180-336. “My dad was coaching me, my mum was watching and I could hear them both shouting,” said a happy Saxton, 22. “There’s an awesome vibe here and now I’m looking forward to a good meal – in fact I think I’ll eat two meals.” His dad Andy, a Commonwealth Games champion for England in 1990 before he moved to – and competed for – Australia, said, “He can have whatever he wants. I’m very proud of him.” Seine Stowers (SAM) Stowers, who holds two Commonwealth records despite being only 18, followed her sister’s example by winning gold at 77kg. Feagaiga Stowers, 25, won the super-heavyweights in 2018. “She told me about what to expect at the Commonwealth Games and I knew I could win a medal. I’m really proud of myself,” said Seine. “Next up will be the (senior) World Championships.” Bella Brown was second, a good effort after missing her first two snatches at 95kg. “I haven’t missed at that weight for about a year and I was really angry with myself,” she said after making 97-132-229. Women's 77kg podium Brown, 21, was supposed to graduate from Nottingham University yesterday, in history. “But they allowed me to defer my dissertation until next year so I’m here winning a silver medal instead. “I’ve never done anything at this level before, so it was a very good experience before going into Olympic qualifying – but the 77kg category is really, really tough.” The 20-year-old New Zealander Georgia Theron made all six lifts for 100-123-223 to sit in a medal position but dropped down to fourth when Laura Hughes made her final attempt to win bronze for Wales on 95-129-224. Hughes was third at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where her coach Gareth Evans won at 69kg. She took a long break to focus on her psychology degree and her job for the NHS as a mental health recovery specialist. Now she is hoping to get the chance to study for a doctorate at her local university, Bangor, and to become a clinical psychologist. “When I decided to return to weightlifting there were no long-term objectives. I just had my sights set on here,” she said. “I’m 33 and feeling the healthiest I’ve ever been. “A medal wasn’t in my mind at all but for Gareth it was. He had so much confidence in me, and I really benefited from his experience, his energy and that confidence.” By Brian Oliver Photos by Giorgio

Glasgow, Day 3: Double gold for Canada, Malaysia wins again – and firefighter Doig on podium for Scotland

A third win for Maude Charron, a first victory as a senior for her Canada team-mate Charlotte Simoneau, a silver for England’s Sarah Davies Smale from only two good lifts, yet another champion for Malaysia, a haka on the platform led by a New Zealand medallist with Scottish roots, and a huge celebration for the home nation when firefighter Angus Doig made the podium against all odds. It was quite a day in Glasgow as the Commonwealth Games weightlifting programme went past the halfway point. Maude Charron (CAN) Although Charron has won gold and silver at the Olympic Games and was described by Davies- Smale as “one of the great weightlifters of our generation”, the most popular medallist on day three was Doig, a firefighter who trains alone in his garage in the Peak District of England. He had already left the arena more than half an hour before the end of the session and completed his interviews for the Scottish media when he slowly realised he might have to do it all again. Angus Doig (SCO) Doig was 27kg behind the leader at halfway in the 88kg category and after making all three clean and jerks he finished on 135-174-309, at least 25kg short of the expected target for any medallist. “My goal had always been just to get to the Commonwealth Games, do my best and try for the top five,” he said. “The podium was never on the cards.” But three failures by athletes from Australia and Mauritius changed the picture. Braydon Kennedy from Canada and Will Swart from South Africa, both medal contenders, had not started yet. If they both bombed out, Doig would finish third. Kennedy failed three times on 182kg. Swart missed at 181kg then 182kg. Doig was now back in the warm-up area and could not bear to watch Swart’s final attempt for 183kg on the big screen. “When I heard the barbell hit the platform I knew he’d missed it. It’s absolutely unbelievable – and here I am back doing more interviews.” Doig, 27, switched from CrossFit to weightlifting only two and a half years ago. All that solo training in his garage paid off and he won at the British Championships this year. His family was in the SEC Armadillo arena and his Scottish father David was asked to say a few words to the crowd. “We knew he could lift really well but to win a medal – I’m in heaven,” he said. “We’ll have a big party tonight and everyone’s invited!” Men's 88kg podium Cameron McTaggart, who is from New Zealand despite his very Scottish name, was second on 154-184-338. He led a Pou Tangata haka (created for his country’s Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams) on the platform after the medal ceremony, which was widely applauded. “I have Scottish heritage from my dad a few generations back – and they were from Glasgow - but I've never been here before,” he said. “This medal was ten years of hard work in the making, and it’s great that my family were here to watch.” Hafizuddin Roslin (MAS) Hafizuddin Roslin from Malaysia, who had finished second to Kennedy at the Commonwealth Championships last year, won on 162-183-345. Hafizuddin, 22, was the fourth winner for Malaysia in three days, taking his team to the top of the medals table. The four gold medallists from Malaysia... so far “Usually we just have one or two winners,” said the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation president Ayub Rahmat. “This is already Malaysia's best achievement in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, and we could win again tomorrow (Syahmi Nor Ghazali at 94kg). Within the federation, we set ourselves a target of five golds and we have a good chance of getting them. “This success shows that weightlifting can become one of Malaysia's leading medal-contributing sports at major multi-sport events.” There was an equally exciting end to the women’s 63kg session. Charron missed her second clean and jerk, then made it to finish on 102-130-232. That left her 15kg ahead of Davies Smale. The bar was loaded at 138kg, a jump of 16kg. “I did 134 once when I was a 71, but I’ve never got near to 138,” said Davies Smale. “But of course I was going to have a go.” Women's 63kg podium She even got under the bar before crumpling. “That sort of thing, it’s her signature move,” said Charron. “I’ve been competing with Sarah for years and I was rooting for her. I was shocked she got under it. She was courageous, for sure.” Davies Smale made 95-122-217 from two good lifts. “Probably my best two from six ever,” she said. Femily Notte from Nauru, who at 17 is barely half the age of Charron and Davies Smale, was third on 100-116-216. “She’s the next generation,” said Davies Smale. “Performances like that might force me into retirement!” She and her husband Ed Smale were unable to take a honeymoon during her preparations for Glasgow so they are off to Madagascar for three weeks now. “Then we’ll see what happens,” said Davies Smale, who will be 34 next month. Charron, 33, who will definitely be going to China for the IWF World Championships in October, is enjoying life. She combines her lifting with coaching and working for the Canadian Olympic Committee, heading a project to bring a million youngsters into sport. Charron’s team-mate Simoneau was twice a junior world champion. After a couple of disappointments at the senior World Championships – an injury withdrawal and a sixth-place finish – in the past two years, 21-year-old Simoneau had her best senior result. Charlotte Simoneau (CAN) Simoneau won impressively at 69kg on 108-132-240, setting a Commonwealth clean and jerk record. She would have bettered her own record on total too but for missing her final attempt on 135kg. Olivia Selemaia from New Zealand, second in the World Juniors last year, was expected to be Simoneau’s nearest challenger but she bombed out in snatch for the second time in successive international competitions. Women's 69kg podium Harjinder Kaur from India was second on 101-126-227 and Nya Hayman from Australia third on 97-121-218. The Scottish teenager Maddie Rosher was cheered all the way as she finished fifth with a total of 214kg. “In my first senior competition I felt more stressed, I was at a different weight and I was uncertain about the transition from juniors,” said Simoneau. “I have had plenty of time to be ready for this, working on technique, getting stronger, adjusting to being a 69, and I felt ready. “In China at the start of the Olympic cycle I will be even more ready.” By Brian Oliver Photos by Giorgio