News

Coaching Seminar in Azerbaijan

A Coaching Seminar was organised on July 22-24 2019 in the Weightlifting Academy of Shuvalanyi, Azerbaijan, in the framework of the IWF Development Program 2019, by the Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation (AAAF). The seminar where Colin Buckley (Ireland) and Eduards Andruskevics (Latvia) were the speakers, was attended by about 30 coaches from different regions of Azerbaijan. During the three-day-long seminar, practical and theoretical issues were discussed “Coaching the Next Generation” and video analysis was shown to the participants, on which classical exercises were performed by German athletes, tracked the training process of the national team. In addition, a report was presented about coaching innovations in the weightlifting world. Many questions were answered during the lectures, local coaches and guest lecturers voiced their opinion. General Secretary of the Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation (AAAF) Rizvan Rasulov, commented on the coaching seminar: “Every year the IWF gives the opportunity to its Member Federations to get funding for courses and activities through the IWF Development Program, in order to help the countries educate their coaches and athletes on a higher level. The AAAF decided to take the opportunity, and our application to organize this seminar was supported by IWF.” “We wanted to take advantage of the knowledge and skills of experienced professionals such as Colin Buckley and Eduards Andruskevics and it turned out to be the right decision.” “It was a very effective seminar. Coaching seminars in weightlifting are held on 3 levels – for beginners, coaches with some experience and high-level coaches. We decided not to separate them and managed to hold a seminar where coaches of all experience level could improve their skills and knowledge.” “These seminars are very important to develop weightlifting in our country and we are grateful to IWF for the opportunity. Azerbaijan Weightlifting Federation intends to work closely with the International and European Weightlifting Federations to ensure the constant improvement of Azerbaijan

Meeting on weightliftings status in TTO

A meeting was held to clarify the status of weightlifting in Trinidad and Tobago on 30 July, Lima, Peru, as two Federations exists in TTO, one recognised by the TTO NOC and one recognised by the IWF. The participants, including Brian Lewis, President, Anette Knott, Generat Secretary, representing TTO NOC, Dr. Tamas Ajan, President, Jose Quinones, Vice President, Attila Adamfi, Director General representing IWF and Laura Denise Ramsay Overall, President representing TTOWF agreed that there are merits in both Federations that shall be saved and used for the future, however, the two existing organizations shall be merged into one Interim Body recognised by both TTO NOC and IWF, by 1 November 2019. As a common objective, they agreed to develop weightlifting in TTO, providing wider opportunities for athletes' participation and youth development, to fully utilise all development possibilities (Olympic Solidarity, IWF Development Program, etc.) for the sport and to create a Roadmap accepted by all Parties focusing on the future. Trinidad and Tobago's IWF country code was changed from TRI to TTO.

MOSQUERA (COL) lifts Rio weight off his shoulders with gold in Lima

Weightlifter is smiling again after missing the 2016 Olympics through injury   [caption id="attachment_27509" align="alignleft" width="300"] Credit: Marcello Zambrana / Lima 2019[/caption] Francisco MOSQUERA (COL) achieved golden redemption at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games to help erase the disappointment of three years ago when he missed the Rio 2016 Olympics with a knee injury. The Colombian weightlifter triumphed in the 61kg category, setting a new Pan American record of 170kg in the clean and jerk along the way. He became the first Colombian to win gold at Lima 2019, and immediately set his sights on Tokyo 2020. "The past is done,” he said. “I am living in the present. I will continue working in the name of God and may he protect me because I am trying hard. The Pan American record was achieved, but I wanted the world record. It wasn't possible, but I will continue working hard to achieve it in Tokyo 2020. "I feel very proud of being the first Colombian athlete to win a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. “I thank God, my family, the Olympic Committee and my coach Oswaldo Pinilla, because even when many people criticized him, he is the mastermind of my triumph." Source: Lima

USA Weightlifting Secures 100th Pan American Games Medal

As Harrison Maurus lifted 195kg (429.90 lbs) over his head Sunday night at the XVII Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, he secured USA Weightlifting’s 100th medal in Pan Am Games competition and continues Team USA’s winning streak that stretches back nearly seven decades. Maurus, 19, went five-for-six in his lifts Sunday in the 81kg (178.57 lbs) bodyweight division, with a best 155kg, snatch, 195kg clean and jerk for a combined 350kg  (771.67) total, enough for a bronze medal. “I was very pleased with today’s performance,” Maurus said. “We were up 15 kilograms from the Junior Worlds in Fiji, so I can’t complain. I felt great” USA Weightlifting athletes have won at least one medal since the first Pan American Games in 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. United States weightlifting athletes have won 48 gold medals, 27 silver and 25 bronze medals in the 27 Pan American Games held thus far. Maurus, the 2017 Youth World Champion and current holder of five American records, joins the list of Pan Am Games medalists that’s filled with legends of the sport including Olympic champions and hall of famers. “It’s pretty cool to earn number 100 for the United States,” Maurus said. Maurus, a hopeful to make the team for next year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, had a strong showing that gave notice to his competitors worldwide. “We’re where we wanted to be, come in and be stronger at Worlds in Thailand in September,” Maurus said. Competing in the same body weight division, Team USA’s Christian Rodriguez Ocasio went three for three in the snatch, improving his personal best in the lift by one kilo when he made a 152kg lift on his third attempt. He hit 143kg and 148kg on his first and second attempts. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0fFluQHVQp/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet In the clean and jerk, Rodriguez Ocasio made 175kg on his second attempt after missing it on the first. Rodriguez Ocasio took a 10kg jump to 185kg on his third attempt, completing the clean but missing he jerk. He earned a 327kg total and a fourth place finish. “That [337kg] would’ve been a new personal record over the Pan American Championships,” Rodriguez Ocaio told USA Weightlifting. “There’s more in the tank and we know what we need to work on for Worlds.” Source: USA

2nd Spanish Cup Promises

A Coruña will host the 2nd Spanish Cup Promises that will take place on July 27 at the Pavilion Club del Mar de San Amaro, where the 20 best boys and the 20 best girls will meet, in categories U15 and U17. The morning session will start at 9:10 a.m., while the afternoon one will start at 3:40 p.m. The competitions can be followed, LIVE, through the application LaLigaSportsTV, in the following links: Morning session: https://www.laligasports.es/directos/halterofilia-ii-copa-federaciones-categorias-sub-15-y-sub-17-sabado-manana Afternoon session:

One Year To Go to Tokyo 2020!

Today it's just One Year To Go to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games! Weightlifting was the first to open the 'Ready - Steady - Tokyo!' line of Olympic Test Events in its magnificent and iconic venue, the Tokyo International Forum. As 24 July 2020, the opening day of the Games is drawing near, excitement is growing and everybody is looking forward to fantastic Olympic Games in the Japanese capital. Celebrate 'One Year To Go!' with the Technical Officials who tested the weightlifting