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Forde, Men’s preview: Three Olympic champions in one session – and world records will surely follow

Olympic champions from three different Games at three different weights will compete against each other at the IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway, which run from October 2-11. Kianoush Rostami, who won at 85kg in Rio nine years ago, the Tokyo 96kg champion Meso Hassona, and the Paris 89kg winner Karlos Nasar are all in the A Group of the new 94kg category on October 9. Nasar is 21 and has set more than 20 world records in the past two and a half years, during which time he has had seven major victories. Meso, from Qatar, is 27 and looking for improvement after a surprise bombout in Paris. Rostami won for Iran in Rio and is now making his debut for Kosovo at the age of 34 – his first international appearance in more than two years. Karlos Nasar (BUL) When he won his third European title in Moldova in April, Nasar was lifting in the old 96kg category but he weighed less than 94kg. He made 188-229-417, which would be enough for a sweep of world records in the new category by margins of 6kg in snatch, 7kg in clean and jerk and 20kg on total. If Meso and Rostami can get within 15kg of Nasar it will be an achievement. Their respective career-best totals of 404kg and 403kg were made when they weighed about 96kg. There are six Olympic champions in Forde, a good turnout given that none of China’s many winners at Rio, Tokyo and Paris will be there. They have either retired or are not entered during their preparations for the China National Games in November. Meso Hassona (QAT) There is another contest between Olympic champions at 110kg, this time both from the same country. Ruslan Nurudinov, the 33-year-old Rio 2016 winner at 105kg, goes head to head with his Uzbekistan team-mate Akbar Djuraev, the Tokyo 109kg gold medallist who is eight years younger. Nurudinov was struggling with a back injury and talking of retirement 18 months ago, but he returned to his best at the World Championships in Bahrain last December. His 242kg clean and jerk world record left him 20kg clear of his nearest rival. Ruslan Nurudinov (UZB) Djuraev has competed only once since finishing second to Liu Huanhua in Paris, where he missed his last two clean and jerks. He has been in world record form in training, and the world standards of 195-237-427 look beatable by both men. The sixth Olympic champion in Forde is Rizki Juniansyah, who also takes on a team-mate at 79kg. Three men in this category, competing at different weights, have already exceeded one or more of the world record targets of 166-203-362. They are Rizki, his fellow Indonesian Rahmat Erwin, and Ri Chong Song from PRK. Rizki Juniansyah (INA) There are plenty more top-quality athletes in what promises to be the most competitive session of the Championships. They include the Korean Son Hyeonho, the ever-improving American Caden Cahoy, who failed with a world record clean and jerk attempt at the Pan American Championships, the back-to-form Olympic medallist Julio Mayora from Venezuela, Yedige Yemberdi from Kazakhstan, Oscar Reyes from Italy and Mohamed Elsayed from Egypt. There is a 26-year age range in Forde. The youngest athlete in the Championships, 14-year-old Mohammad Alotaibi from Kuwait, lifts in the first men’s session, the 60kg B Group, and on the penultimate day the 40-year-old Czech Olympian Kamil Kucera is in the super-heavyweight B Group. By Brian

Forde, Women’s preview: Olympic champion Solfrid Koanda aims to put on a show fit for a king in “party town”

All five of PRK’s female champions from last year are capable of setting world records at the 2025 IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway which run from October 2-11. This is the first global competition since new weight categories were introduced in June, and there is a good chance that world standards will be bettered on most days. The PRK women’s team had two record-breakers at last year’s World Championships in Bahrain and there could be more this time in the five lightest categories from Ri Song Gum at 48kg, Kang Hyon Gyong at 53kg, Kim Il Gyong at 58kg, Ri Suk at 63kg and Song Kuk Hyang, who drops down to 69kg. Ri Suk (PRK) So far only one female athlete has made world records since June – the American Olympic gold medallist Olivia Reeves at 69kg at the Pan American Championships.  Reeves could repeat the feat when she moves up for the first time to 77kg in Forde, a weight at which there is no entry from PRK. Whatever Reeves and the Koreans do in the first week, the highlight for the host nation – and its reigning monarch – is day eight when all eyes in Forde will be on Norway’s Olympic champion Solfrid Koanda. Olivia Reeves (USA) Koanda is clear favourite at 86kg. She has won eight of her past nine competitions (the only blip was a bombout at the 2023 World Championships), and when she won at 81kg in Paris last summer she became the first European woman to claim Olympic gold in a weight category higher than 80kg. To win in style with world records would be extra special. King Harald V, who competed at the Olympic Games three times in sailing, will be in the 1,700-capacity auditorium to watch Koanda. “It’s a great honour that the King has chosen to come – it shows that our sport is being taken seriously,” said Koanda, who has been training hard in Germany during her preparations. “I’ve already had the honour of meeting the King a couple of times, and I’m really excited to compete with him present. It makes the whole experience even more special. “Having the audience, friends and family in the arena gives me extra motivation and energy, and I’m really looking forward to bringing that with me on to the platform. Solfrid Koanda (NOR) “It’s very cool that we are hosting the World Championships. It gives Norway the chance to show itself as a host nation, and it’s a great opportunity to create more attention around weightlifting nationally. I hope it can inspire more people to try the sport. “I’m staying on track through both challenges and good days, and I’m really looking forward to October 9th when I’ll be ready to give my very best.” Koanda’s career best total was 280kg two and a half years ago, when she weighed just under 86kg. Another 10kg will be needed to set a world record on total in the new category. Planning for the World Championships began six years ago. Forde is a coastal town with a population of 12,500, which will grow by about 1,100 when athletes, coaches, referees and team officials are in town. Stian Grimseth, president of the Norway Weightlifting Federation and the man behind the bid, had to work hard to gain state support, persuading the IWF that awarding the World Championships to the highest bidder every year was not always the right approach. “I pointed out to the IWF that the process should be more about quality, about promoting the sport, and they agreed,” said Grimseth. “After that, Norway’s Department of Sport and Culture supported us. “We have 1,500 students working on a school project about the Championships, and we have 500 volunteers. We will have a lot of spectators. We have a big team from Norway – we are seeing improved results from the male lifters.” There will be family activities, food stalls and a festival of music in the town throughout the Championships, creating a party atmosphere. “As you will see, we are going to do things a bit differently to others. I think everybody is going to enjoy it,” said Grimseth. Sara Ahmed (EGY) Forde hosted a big event before, the 2016 European Championships. One medallist from then will lift this time – Mercy Brown from Great Britain, who was second in the super-heavyweights. Her team-mate Emily Campbell will be a strong medal contender in the absence of China’s top supers who, like many renowned team-mates, are missing Forde to focus on the China National Games in November. Two bronze medallists from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are back for more, Sara Ahmed from Egypt and Kuo Hsing-Chun from Chinese Taipei, and there is a bronze medallist from London 2012 among the entries. Madias Ngake, who lifted for Cameroon 13 years ago, won a snatch medal for Great Britain in last year’s World Championships and lifts with Koanda at 86kg. By Brian Oliver

IOC approves two additional bodyweight categories for LA2028

The IWF is pleased to announce that the IOC Executive Board approved today the inclusion of two additional bodyweight categories (one for men and one for women) in the programme of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This significant and important decision follows the recommendation of the Olympic Programme Commission and the request of our International Federation. Moreover, the quota of 120 lifters (60 men and 60 women) remains unchanged – these athletes will therefore compete in 12 bodyweight categories (six per gender), with a total of 10 weightlifters per event. Finally, these two additional categories will be incorporated in the number of sessions and days previously established for these Games (the weightlifting competition in Los Angeles will be held in five days, from July 25-29, 2028). This improvement in the programme was essentially requested by the IWF Athletes Commission, and of course supported by the IWF leadership. The lifters’ representatives estimated that a higher number of bodyweight categories would provide a more balanced gap between each of them, thus minimising the possible health impact and injury risk on the athletes. “The IOC has positively taken into account our important arguments and we are extremely happy with this step forward. We will definitively deliver a more exciting programme in Los Angeles and our athletes’ community receives this news with immense satisfaction. I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the IOC Executive Board, the IOC Olympic Programme Commission, the IOC Sports Department, and of course to the Organisers of the Los Angeles Games. Together with the IWF teams, we could improve the IWF presence in the event, thus meeting also the expectations of the protagonists of our Sport. In less than three years, the world will celebrate a great Olympic show in Los Angeles and we are very excited to be part of that success,” considered the IWF President Mohammed Jalood. The IWF will now have until the end of 2025 to define the six categories for both men and women to be contested at the 2028 Olympic Games. IWF

IWF Worlds 2025: deadline for Verification of Final Entries is September 18!

National Federations are kindly reminded that the deadline for the Verification of Final Entries for the 2025 IWF World Championships in Forde (NOR) is Thursday, September 18, 2025 (at 12:00/Noon CET). To complete the Verification of Final Entries, National Federations are advised to proceed as follows: LOGIN with your username and password to the IWF E-Entry System (click HERE) CLICK on "IWF E-ENTRY", then select the "VERIFICATION OF FINAL ENTRIES" tab at the top of the page COMPETING ATHLETE(S) CHECK your athlete(s) BODYWEIGHT CATEGORY/ENTRY TOTAL and modify them if needed SELECT the athlete(s) by clicking the “CONFIRM” button on the left NON-COMPETING ATHLETE(S) DELETE those athlete(s) who WILL NOT participate by clicking the “DUSTBIN” icon on the left  Please DOUBLE-CHECK your final list of the athlete(s) and CLICK on the “SEND VERIFICATION” button above. You can edit and resend the data by the deadline below. The Final List of Entries can be found HERE The IWF World Championships will take place in Forde (NOR) from October 2-11,

Eleiko Launches Next Generation Bars — Perfecting the Eleiko Feeling

Eleiko, with over 65 years of experience equipping the world’s leading weightlifting, powerlifting, and para powerlifting competitions, announces the release of its next generation of bars. The new line refines what matters most — performance, feel, and longevity — while expanding sensor readiness across more bars in the range with advanced lifting analysis and programming capabilities. The new Eleiko Barbells are more precise, more durable, and more connected to the lifter experience than ever before. "The next generation of Eleiko bars isn’t about doing something drastically different; it’s about doing what we’ve always done, better," says Erik Blomberg, CEO of Eleiko. "We’re evolving one of the oldest tools in strength training for today with integrated sensor technology without ever compromising the Eleiko Feeling lifters' trust. We obsess over the details, so lifters don’t have to. They lift — and feel the difference." Lifters describe The Eleiko Feeling™ as the harmony of balance, dynamic flex, controlled rotation, and our signature grip. Through refinements in sleeve geometry, tighter tolerances, and performance-focused finishes, this next generation continues Eleiko’s pursuit of the ultimate lifting experience. The next-generation Eleiko bars are stronger, quieter and engineered to last longer than ever before. Force Redistribution System™ - Patent-pending design reduces stress during drops, improving fatigue resistance and bar longevity. Sleeve Protection System: Patent-pending dual lock system, dustproof seal, and recessed stainless-steel endcaps protect sleeves from moisture, dirt, and wear, extending functionality and longevity. Self-locking sleeves: Tighter tolerances create a quieter, more stable lift. Sensor-Ready Endcaps: New stainless-steel endcaps open easily for sensor integration and maintenance. DN3 Chrome™: Corrosion-resistant surface coating that protects knurling sharpness and bar integrity through years of heavy use. Eleiko Steel™: Forged from 97% recycled steel using fossil-free energy, resulting in an 80% lower CO₂ footprint than the global steel average. Lifetime Warranty: Made in Sweden and backed by Eleiko’s lifetime warranty. Smarter Lifting Starts Here Eleiko’s new sensor-ready bars feature a patented sleeve and endcap system that enables quick installation. Compact and discreet, the sensors measure bar path, even under flex, turning every lift into accurate, actionable data. Sensors connect to Enode’s ecosystem, unlocking advanced analytics, velocity-based training, and proprietary AI-powered programming. Whether you’re coaching elite athletes or training in a home gym, it is a seamless bridge between barbell and performance — scalable from individual lifter to full teams. Eleiko

IWF President meets HH Prince Bin Jalawi in Saudi Arabia

The IWF President Mohammed Jalood met with His Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, on the sidelines of the IWF President's attendance at the Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif (Saudi Arabia). The meeting was also attended by the IWF General Secretary José Quiñones and by the IWF Vice-President and President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation, Mohammed Al-Harbi. HH Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed meeting with the IWF delegation, led by President Mohammed Jalood During the meeting, the discussions were focused on the ways of joint co-operation between the Saudi Olympic Committee and the International Weightlifting Federation, as well as the distinguished relationship between the Kingdom and the IWF, and the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal as Honorary President of the IWF during the Kingdom's hosting of the IWF General Assembly and the IWF World Championships in Saudi Arabia. Programmes for developing the sport and enhancing its presence locally and internationally were also discussed. The two sides affirmed their commitment to continuing communication and joint work to contribute to serving the sport of weightlifting and expanding its practitioner base. Saudi Arabia has been a successful host of major IWF events in recent years, including the 2021 IWF World Youth Championships in Jeddah, the 2023 IWF World Championships and 2025 IWF Electoral Congress, both in its vibrant capital Riyadh. IWF