News

Tokyo Olympics: Birendra Prasad Baishya will be India’s Chef de Mission

  President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation and IWF Executive Board member, Birendra Prasad Baishya has been named Chef de Mission for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mr Baishya is also one of the Indian Olympic Association Vice Presidents besides holding several other positions like Vice President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation and Vice President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation. “It is for the first time that the sport of weightlifting has been accorded with the honour of Chef de Mission for the Olympic Games,” Indian Weightlifting Federation Secretary General, Sahdev Yadav said. Congratulation to Mr Baishya! Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Dr Tamas Ajan 80!

Dr Tamas Ajan, IWF President turned 80 years old on Saturday. The Weightlifting Family wishes him a Happy Birthday!

Thai visit at the IWF Secretariat

Maj.Gen. Intarat Yodbangtoey, IWF 1st Vice President and Mrs. Boossaba Yodbangtoey, AWF General Secretary, TAWA President paid a visit to the IWF Secretariat office in Budapest. They were both warmly welcomed by Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President in his office. Dr. Ajan congratulated on the 60th Anniversary of the TAWA and expressed his appreciation for the efforts TAWA does for the weightlifting sport. This year, Thailand has the opportunity to host the IWF World Championships in Pattaya, 18-17 September. As the guests reported, preparations of the event have already started as they intend to organize a memorable event. “We hosted many Championships before in Pattaya, but this is the first time we organise an IWF World Championships. I think this event will be better than ever. It is also a qualification event for Tokyo 2020, so we expect an exceptionally high interest from athletes and countries from all around the world. Pattaya is a beautiful resort, so it will be a pleasure for both participants and spectators to come there,” said Madam Boossaba. “We also gave a report for Dr. Ajan on another major event, the EGAT’s King Cup, which we are staging in February.” She continued describing the importance of weightlifting in Thailand: “Weightlifting is the most popular Olympic sport in our country. It is easily accessible for a wide range of the population; so many young people see it as a possibility for a fruitful career and to improve their life standards. We have many successful weightlifters for this reason, with memorable results such as Olympic, World and Asian medals.” “In Thailand, winning an international event can be a fundament of your future. Hard work is rewarded. Our athletes are well known and loved, they make a good living. Olympic Champions, World Champions and Asian Champions get financial support from the Thai government. “ “The situation of women in sport greatly improved in the last decade, it is not dominated by men any more. As a matter of fact, there are more Thai women than men Olympic Champions. Nowadays, we have excellent women coaches and sports leaders as well.” Upon mentioning the huge improvement of gender equality, we asked the TAWA President of her early years of career and if it was hard for her to rise to a leadership role as a woman. “I had to do my very best to get where I am now. I feel very proud as after my forthcoming as a sports leader, many women felt encouraged to pursue their ambitions and follow my example. I like to think of myself as a role model for young ladies not only in weightlifting but all sports in Thailand. “ Expanding the spectrum of the conversation, the AWF General Secretary shared how she sees the position of Asian weightlifting in a global context. “Asian weightlifting is in an elite position. With the AWF, we are currently working on improving our methods and communication on an international level. We reached the point when everybody can effectively communicate with the Asian Federation and TAWA as well.” As a closing of the conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Yodbangtoey shared their personal impressions about the Hungarian capital, Budapest, referring to it as a wonderful and unique city, as well as their experiences in the IWF Secretariat office. “This is the first time we visited the IWF Secretariat. It’s good to see so many hard-working colleagues. We are especially impressed by the high number of women working here. It is good to see people who are so enthusiastic and devoted with their duties.” Maj. Gen. Intarat highlighted how important for them Dr.Ajan’s advice and expertise was on the way to make Asian weightlifting stronger and more effective.   Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter

Weightlifters’ New Year’s Resolutions

We asked professional weightlifters from around the world what their 2019 New Year’s resolutions were. Here's what they said... [caption id="attachment_25735" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Mohamed Ehab (EGY) in Ashgabat 2018[/caption]   Mohamed Ehab (EGY), 81kg  "Achieve new world records and be the best weightlifter in the world."    Christine Girard (CAN), retired  "Get more involved in the anti-doping movement both domestically and internationally."    Jessica Lucero (USA), 59kg  "Go 6 for 6 in an international event and work on more consistency in my technique."    Rebeka Koha (LVA), 59kg  "When every year comes, I aim to improve my results. I want to do everything at the same level as 2018 or better and earn my way into the Olympics."    Ianne Ernesto Vergara Guinares (NZ), retired  "Grow weightlifting in the Netherlands."   [caption id="attachment_25737" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Fernando Reis (BRA)[/caption] Fernando Reis (BRA), +109kg  "Recover from my knee surgery for the first part of the year, then medal at the 2019 World Championships."   Mike Cerbus (USA), retired  "Continue to teach the Olympic lifts to as many people as possible."   Sarah Davies (GBR), 71kg  "Win medals at the European Senior Championships and continue to improve my rankings for Olympic qualification."   Anais Michel (FRA), 49kg  "Lift 82kg Snatch and 102 C&J at the next Euro or World Championship."    Yoichi Itokazu (JPN), 61kg  "Lift 300kg total."   Berny Bernardin (FRA), 69kg   "Have my wife and son join me in Paris, win the European Championships, podium at the Worlds and achieve my PRs: 147kg snatch and 182kg C&J."    Luz Acosta (MEX), retired   "Encourage boys and girls to start training into the sport, become closer with the IWF to start growing the sport in Mexico and improve the classification of national selection for a fair process in Mexico."    [caption id="attachment_25736" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Mattie Rogers (USA)[/caption] Mattie Rogers (USA), 71kg  "Train SMART and give my absolute best every day."   Hidilyn Diaz (PHI), 55kg  "Lift 100 Snatch and 120 C&J in my next competition."    Adam Beytin (USA),  77kg (old bodyweight category)  "Fully heal my back pain and surpass my old competition bests."   Rachelle Bazinet (CAN), 55kg  "Break the Canadian Snatch record at 55kg. Work on my mindset and listen closely to what my body needs to limit injuries."   Rosane Reis (BRA), 55kg  "Work on my technique."   Arkadiusz Michalski (POL), 109kg   "Get a Personal Best, especially in Snatch. I must correct my technique and build strength."     Carolina Valencia (MEX), 49kg  "Correct my technique in the Clean and Jerk and to arrive with good points for 2019 Pan-American games and get a gold medal for my country. Give a good competition at the IWF World Championships and lift 6x6."   Jared Fleming (USA), 94kg (old bodyweight category)  "Snatch and C&J what I’m capable of. Enjoy every training session and enjoy competing again."   Emily Godley (GBR), 69kg (old bodyweight category)  "Try and keep as healthy as possible and to keep my body in one piece throughout training and competitions in 2019."   Joanna Lochowska (POL), 55kg  "Improve my personal records in the 55kg category and exceed my limit of 200kg in total."   Loredana Toma (ROU), 64kg  "Get the necessary results for Tokyo qualification, focus on World Championships, European Championships and 2 QUP. My initial goal is 112/133, but I will adjust if necessary."   Jenny Arthur (USA), 82kg  "Win a World Championship. Snatch 115+ and Clean and Jerk 145+."   [caption id="attachment_25738" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Mart Seim (EST)[/caption] Mart Seim (EST), +109kg  "Get good PRs in every main exercise and get rid of my back injury and remain injury free; by doing these I hope to win a medal again at Worlds."   Gaelle Ketchanke (FRA), 76kg  "Work even more to improve my technique and performances to get back to my best level. Win the European Championships, stay in the top 8 in the World and qualify directly for Tokyo."   Sopita Tanasan (THA), 49kg  "Do my best in all competitions."   Chad Vaughn (USA), retired  "Get back onto the competition platform a little more (Masters level). Working to go to US National Masters and then potential Worlds. Trying out 1 or 2 new weight classes, as it’s been a long time since I competed at anything other than 77kg."   Jessien Bradley (USA), 69kg (old bodyweight category)  "Be intentional with every single training session, focus on every single lift and recovery."   Mönkhjantsangiin Ankhtsetseg (MNG), 69kg (old bodyweight category)  "Compete and get a medal at the 2019 IWF World Championships."     You can preview all the weightlifting events coming to you in 2019 here.    Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter

IOC Olympic Solidarity – IWF coaching course in India

A 7-day complex coaching course was held in Patiala, India 6-12 December. The course expert appointed by IWF was Tamas Feher. Feher said: „We had a successful 7-day coaching course in Patalia, hosted by the biggest Indian Olympic Centre. “The 23 participants received 5 hours daily theoretical and practical sessions and concluded with a written exam.” “Some of the main subjects were: General training methodology, Training principles in Weightlifting, Applied exercises of the Weightlifting training, Technical teaching of the beginner weightlifters, Strength development in Weightlifting, Preparation of a top weightlifter, etc. "I would like to express my special appreciation to IWF, IOC Olympic Solidarity and Indian Weightlifting Federation.” — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

5th International Qatar Cup concluded

The last competition of 2018, the Fifth International Qatar Cup successfully concluded on 23 December in Doha, QAT. This was the second qualification event for Tokyo 2020 after the IWF World Championships in Ashgabat. Under the leadership of Mohamed Yousef Al Mana, President of Qatar, Arab and Asian Weightlifting Federations and Executive Board member of the IWF, the Qatar Cup highlighted the massive developments in the country and the capability to host major sporting events. Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President and IOC Honorary Member, praised the Organising Committee and Mohamed Yousef Al Mana for the professional, high-class organising.   Seventy-eight lifters from 26 countries stepped on the platform at the Intercontinental Hotel of Doha to collect the most points possible for the qualification for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Home favourite ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim E. H. and KUO Hsing-Chun (TPE) were declared the best of Qatar Cup. ELBAKH lifted his personal best, swiping the Men's 96kg bodyweight category whit a 397kg Total, which is also a Junior World Record, while KUO ruled the Women's 59kg bodyweight category, just after pocketing the Gold Medal on the World Championships a month earlier. Uzbekistan's  ERGASHEV Adkhamjon (Men's 67kg) and Chinese  HUANG Ting (Women's 64kg) also set new Junior World Records. Results can be found HERE and the updated Qualification Database HERE. Photo credit: Gregor Winter — Follow IWF: Facebook Instagram Twitter