News

RFWF President meeting with IWF President

Maxim Agapitov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation (RFWF) paid a visit to Budapest in order to have discussion with Dr. Tamas Ajan, President. They addressed relevant topics of the future of weightlifting. Dr. Ajan was informed that the RFWF withdrew the appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision taken by the IWF Executive Board on 22 June 2016 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Read more on

Development Program 2016 Donations

In the framework of the IWF Development Program 2016, equipment was donated to several countries. The Member Federations applied for support last year and received brand new equipment including barbell sets or weightlifting costume, shoes, belts. The IWF is glad that equipment is used already in Austria, Guyana, Italy and Jordan with great

IRIWF President meeting with IWF President

Mr. Ali Moradi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Weightlifting Federation paid a visit to Budapest in order to have discussion with Dr. Tamas Ajan, President. Topics such as the development of Women Weightlifting in Iran and National level organization plans were addressed. The IWF received the latest up-to-date information regarding the 2nd International Fajr Cup to be held in Ahvaz from 9-14 March

All Indonesia Weightlifting Association awards free houses to 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallists

Indonesia’s two Olympic silver medal-winning weightlifters from 2016 Rio Olympic Games have been awarded free houses by their national governing body. The Indonesian Weightlifting Federation promised the gesture to Eko Yuli Irawan and Sri Wahyuni Agustiani, runners-up in the respective men’s 62 kilograms and women’s 48kg categories, during a two-day meeting in South Jakarta. "This is a sign of support for our high-achieving athletes," Indonesian Weightlifting Federation chairman Rosan Roeslani said. "We hope this token of appreciation can inspire other weightlifters to achieve maximum results at two major upcoming events, the 2018 Asian Games (in Jakarta) and 2020 Tokyo Olympics." Also given an award was Sri Hartati, a powerlifter who has won five World Championship gold medals, including one in American city Orlando in November. Irawan finished 6kg shy of Colombian Óscar Figueroa’s winning total of 318kg in the men’s 62kg. He thus became the first lifter to win three Olympic medals since the introduction of the current weight categories in 1998 following his 56kg bronze at Beijing 2008 and 62kg bronze at London 2012. Agustiani, meanwhile, came second to Thailand’s Sopita Tanasan, who triumphed in the women’s 48kg by a margin of 8kg with a total of 200kg. Source:

Happy Birthday to Naim Süleymanoglu!

One of the biggest characters in weightlifting Naim Süleymanoglu turned 50 today! His nickname “Pocket Hercules” doesn’t come from his giant stature but from his giant power and magnificent technic. He was born in Bulgaria, but he achieved his biggest accomplishments under the Turkish flag from 1986 – 2000. He was World Champion in 1985 and 1986 as Bulgarian and as a Turkish weightlifter reached victories in the Men’s 60, 62 and 64 kg categories. Only a very few weightlifters are capable to lift three times their own bodyweight, but Süleymanoglu is the only one until today who did it with an additional 10 kg. In his glory days, he set a Clean and Jerk World Record of 190 kg in Soul in 1988 winning the Olympic Medal in the men’s 60 kg category. He became an Olympic Champion in 1992 and 1996, World Champion in Total in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995; only to mention his biggest achievements. He set world records multiple times but at the very first one, he was only 16 years old. After retirement, he became the Best Weightlifter of the Century and he received the Olympic Order in 2001. He is also member of the IWF Hall of Fame. Happy Birthday to Naim

Happy Birthday to Naim Süleymanoglu!

One of the biggest characters in weightlifting Naim Süleymanoglu turned 50 today! His nickname “Pocket Hercules” doesn’t come from his giant stature but from his giant power and magnificent technic. He was born in Bulgaria, but he achieved his biggest accomplishments under the Turkish flag from 1986 – 2000. He was World Champion in 1985 and 1986 as Bulgarian and as a Turkish weightlifter reached victories in the Men’s 60, 62 and 64 kg categories. Only a very few weightlifters are capable to lift three times their own bodyweight, but Süleymanoglu is the only one until today who did it with an additional 10 kg. In his glory days, he set a Clean and Jerk World Record of 190 kg in Soul in 1988 winning the Olympic Medal in the men’s 60 kg category. He became an Olympic Champion in 1992 and 1996, World Champion in Total in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995; only to mention his biggest achievements. He set world records multiple times but at the very first one, he was only 16 years old. After retirement, he became the Best Weightlifter of the Century and he received the Olympic Order in 2001. He is also member of the IWF Hall of Fame. Happy Birthday to Naim