News

Legendary champion Pyrros Dimas (GRE) appointed as Weightlifting Ambassador

The IWF is pleased to announce that Mr Pyrros Dimas was appointed as an official Weightlifting Ambassador for our International Federation. This prestigious assignment recognises his exceptional achievements in the sport of weightlifting, his distinguished international profile, and his longstanding contribution to the promotion and development of our Sport worldwide. Pyrros Dimas is a triple Olympic champion, having represented Greece at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Games. He then concluded his prestigious career at home, at the 2004 Athens Olympics, with a bronze medal. He is the most successful lifter in the history of the IWF and also the most decorated athlete in his country (all sports included). With personal bests of 180.5kg in Snatch, 215kg in C&J, and 392.5kg in Total, Dimas was also world champion on three occasions (1993, 1995, and 1998). In 2009, he was inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame and between 2012 and 2015, he was a member of the Hellenic Parliament. Presently, Pyrros Dimas is a member of the IWF Executive Board and leads our International Federation’s Innovation Committee. A truly inspirational idol in Greece and in our Sport, the new Weightlifting Ambassador will now have the opportunity of reaching a wider audience. “I am very honoured with this recognition and really humbled to be the ‘face’ of Weightlifting among our fans in the five continents. I take this new role with a huge sense of responsibility, as I want to do my best to promote Sport I love in the best possible way,” considered the legendary champion. “Moreover, I will also devote my best energy to reaffirm Weightlifting’s strength and value within the Olympic Movement. Let’s not forget that we were one of the nine founding sports in the first edition of the modern Olympic Games, in 1896 in Athens. We have a long and successful tradition!” added Mr Dimas. The Hellenic ace was recently in Lausanne (SUI), where he had the opportunity to sign the Olympian’s Wall at the Olympic House. On that occasion, the IOC President Kirsty Coventry met the Weightlifting champion, in a ceremony also attended by the IWF President Mohammed Jalood and IWF General Secretary José Quiñones. “Our International Federation had many great athletes over its 120 years of history, and I am certainly privileged to be among those lifters that contributed to our rich trajectory since the foundation of the IWF in 1905. In my different capacities, and since my retirement, I always tried to give back to the Sport the maximum I could. The title of Ambassador is the corollary of that effort. We know that not every child that begins a physical activity will be a champion, but he or she will definitively be part of a happier and healthier world – and that remains the most important!” concluded Pyrros Dimas.  IWF

IWF leadership in Lausanne (SUI) for the ASOIF Assembly

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood and IWF General Secretary José Quiñones were this week in Lausanne (SUI), where they had the opportunity to attend the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) 50th General Assembly.   The gathering was officially opened by ASOIF President Ingmar De Vos, while a welcome speech was also delivered by the IOC President Mrs Kirsty Coventry. The International Olympic Committee leader highlighted the power of sport and emphasised that all stakeholders within the Olympic Movement must work closely together to fully unlock its potential. Mrs Coventry also underlined the vital role played by the IFs and the importance of their continued development and ambition, stating: “If you are not strong and striving, neither are we.” IWF General Secretary José Quiñones and IWF President Mohammed Jalood The Agenda of the Assembly included the Sixth Review of International Federation Governance, a thorough procedure overseen by ASOIF’s Governance Task Force and supported by an independent governance consultancy. The results of this consultation will be published in June. The General Assembly also received in-person updates from the Organising Committees of Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032 and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Moreover, updates were provided from the IOC on matters relating to IFs and the Olympic Games, especially in the context of the IOC’s “Fit for the Future” process and the related Working Group discussions. Moreover, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) delivered reports on their anti-doping efforts and collaboration with IFs. Finally, ASOIF presented the implementation roadmap for its new ‘Strategy 2026–2032’, which is built around three strategic pillars: 1. Advocacy, Influence and Representation; 2. Olympic Games Excellence; and 3. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing. During the meeting, ASOIF also highlighted its refreshed brand identity which was launched in April and reflects ASOIF’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and a strong partnership with the IOC.  

IWF President successfully promotes Weightlifting at the ONOC Assembly

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood was this week in Auckland (New Zealand) for the ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committees) Annual General Assembly, and had the opportunity to do an inspiring presentation about Weightlifting in this region of the world. The Assembly was also attended by the IOC President, Ms Kirsty Coventry. During his speech, Mr Jalood recalled the historic tradition of our Sport in the Pacific region, namely its importance and significance for many islands of this continent. The IWF President highlighted that many former and present lifters representing these nations had remarkable participation at Olympic Games and World Championships. “Besides their amazing career, many of them are today at the head of their sport organisations in their territories, namely as presidents of the respective National Olympic Committees, or Weightlifting Federations. The most illustrious example of this success is Marcus Stephen, an Olympian, that then became President of Nauru. At the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, it is very common that flagbearers from Oceania nations are weightlifters”, declared Mr Jalood. Reflecting on the future, the IWF President recalled the audience that many young lifters from the region have namely shone in the 2025 edition of the IWF World Youth and Junior Championships, held in Lima (PER). “The grassroot work is there, and the development of new generations of lifters is definitively assured. We could not have a better perspective of excellence ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games, to be held in this continent, in Brisbane, Australia”. Finally, Mr Jalood also highlighted the importance of the IWF Academy in Samoa, a regional centre for development of weightlifting. This amazing facility recently hosted the Universal Cup, an event that once more has demonstrated the vitality of our Sport in the region. “The future of Weightlifting is definitively bright in Oceania and I have no doubt that lifters from this continent will shine in Brisbane 2032”. Mr Jalood concluded his presentation by showing a video on the brilliant tradition of the sport in the region. Mr Jalood was accompanied in Auckland by Mr Jerry Wallwork, IWF Executive Board member and President of both the Samoa Olympic Committee and the national weightlifting federation. IWF

Media Statement 

The IWF announces that its CEO Mr Achilleas Tsogas will leave its leadership position within the Federation following a successful transformative period for the organisation and the global sport of weightlifting. The IWF recognises and thanks the CEO for his commitment and contribution during a defining period for the Federation. Under his tenure, the organisation has continued its governance and anti-doping reforms, strengthened relationships with the International Olympic Committee and key stakeholders, enhanced athlete representation, and worked to secure the long-term future and credibility of weightlifting within the Olympic Movement. Those were significant achievements during a pivotal period of change and re-structuration within our International Federation.   The IWF extends its gratitude and appreciation for his service to the international weightlifting community and wishes Mr Tsogas every success in his future professional and personal endeavours. Reflecting on his period of service at the IWF, Mr Tsogas considered: “It has been a privilege to serve the International Weightlifting Federation during one of the most important periods in its modern history. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the IWF President, General Secretary and Executive Board for their trust, support, and collaboration throughout my tenure. Together, we have helped strengthen the foundations of the Federation, continued the process of reform and modernisation, reinforced the position of weightlifting within the Olympic Movement, and supported the sport’s long-term sustainability and growth. Following the consolidation of the Federation within a complex international sport environment, the time is right for me to pursue a new professional challenge. I remain incredibly proud of what has been achieved collectively and look forward to continuing to support the sport and its people in the

GBR stages historic National Championships

British Weight Lifting (BWL) successfully delivered its largest ever national event from 16–17 May 2026, with nearly 300 athletes competing across three platforms at the Telford International Centre during the 2026 British Championships. Ella Nicholson (USA) Recognised as an official IWF qualification event for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the event carried added significance for athletes pursuing qualification and international ranking opportunities ahead of Glasgow 2026. Jasper Hilton (ENG) The weekend also marked the first major event delivered under BWL’s newly launched rebrand and visual identity, including the introduction of a new logo and the organisation’s Find Your Strong strategic vision. Mayor of Telford and Wrekin Eileen Callear, EWF President and IWF Vice-President Dr Astrit Hasani, and BWL CEO and IWF Executive Board Member Matthew Curtain Alongside athletes from across the Home Nations, the competition also welcomed international guests and delegations, including representatives from the United States of America and Malta. Other guests in attendance included EWF President and IWF Vice President Dr Astrit Hasani, Mayor of Telford and Wrekin Eileen Callear, and ParalympicsGB Chair Dan Brooke. BWL CEO and IWF Executive Board Member Matthew Curtain said: “The Championships was about far more than medals and results; it represented an important moment for our organisation as we begin a new chapter under a refreshed identity and long-term vision focussed on growing and modernising the sport at every level. To deliver an event of this scale, while also welcoming international delegations and supporting the road to Glasgow 2026, is something everyone involved should be extremely proud

Asian Championships: PRK’s women are outshone by China – and their own men’s team

PRK’s women have been unstoppable since the country returned to international weightlifting in 2023 after a long Covid-related absence. If they sent their strongest team to a competition – Asian Games, World Championships, continental championships, Grands Prix, World Cup - they finished top of the medals table, racking up countless world records along the way. China named them “the new number one” in women’s weightlifting. Perhaps it is time for a rethink. At the Asian Championships which ended at the weekend in Gandhinagar, India, China got the better of PRK’s women by winning four golds to three and also finished top of the overall medals table. Ri Suk (PRK) It was a different story for PRK’s men. Four of them set world records, they had four champions to China’s three and for the first time in years they outperformed the women. China’s team in India was considerably younger than PRK’s. Seven of the 15 were 21 or younger and two of them set junior world records to add to those from the recent World Junior Championships in Egypt, where China finished well clear at the top of the medals table. PRK did not participate. PRK had world records from the 63kg and 69kg champions, Ri Suk (six good lifts for 111-143-254) and Song Kuk-Hyang (112-151-263). But the double world champion Kang Hyon-Gyong bombed out at 53kg and Kim Kyong-Ryon finished well behind Liao Guifang at 77kg. Li Yan (CHN) China’s four winners were Zhao Jinlan at 53kg on 95-121-216, Liao Guifang at 77kg on 118-147-265 (she declined her final two attempts), Peng Cuiting at 86kg on 127-143-270, and the super-heavyweight Li Yan. Li set a snatch world record in making all six attempts for 145-178-323. Ikhlef Ouissal from Qatar was impressive in second place, edging ahead of Park Hyejeong from Korea on 130-169-299. Two silver medallists set junior world records for China. Yang Liuyue, 19, had a sweep at 63kg on 112-139-251 and Wei Tingna, who was 20 this Monday, had snatch and total records at 58kg on 101-124-225. Ri Won Ju led the way for PRK’s men, making all six lifts at 71kg and claiming world records in clean and jerk and total on 154-197-351. Ri Ryon Hyong, competing for the first time since he won the 2024 world title at 73kg, took Rizki Juniansyah’s clean and jerk world record at 79kg and was only 1kg short of the record on total. Ri was second at halfway behind his team-mate Ri Chong Song but finished 6kg clear on 158-206-364. He Yueji (CHN) At 88kg, Ro Kwang Ryol bettered Yeison Lopez’s clean and jerk world record by 4kg in making 167-220-387 to finish 18kg clear of Pan Yunhua from China. In the concurrent African Championships in Ismailia, Abdelrahman ‘Abdo’ Younes from Egypt broke the snatch world record in this category in making 182-210-392. The 60kg champion Pang Un Chol set a clean and jerk world record and won by 27kg on 130-174-304. Tu Yi made all six lifts to win at 94kg on 175-211-386. China had the standout performer on individual points in He Yueji, the 65kg winner. He, who holds the snatch world record at 71kg, made 146-183-329 for world records in clean and jerk and total. Liu Huanhua would have overtaken his team-mate He on points, and claimed two world records at 110kg if his phenomenal final attempt at 239kg had stood. Liu completed the lift and asked for more cheers from the crowd as he celebrated - but there were two red lights from the referees and the jury agreed with them. It was a no-lift for bending and extending, so Liu finished on 190-230-420. Gor Minasyan (BRN) Akbar Djuraev from Uzbekistan, whose world record Liu was chasing, was among the notable absentees. Others included Rizki and Rahmat Erwin from Indonesia, Weeraphon Wichuma and Theerapong Silachai from Thailand, and Ali Ammar Yusur from Iraq. The only champions not from PRK or China were Huang Yi-Chen from Chinese Taipei in the women’s 48kg (81-112-193) and Gor Minasyan in the men’s super-heavyweights for Bahrain. Minasyan led by 28kg at halfway and declined his final attempt to finish 212-245-457. Second-placed Alireza Yousefi from Iran set a clean and jerk world record of 261kg with the final lift of the Championships. By Brian