News

Member Federation update

The IWF confirms that it continues to recognise the Cyprus Weightlifting Federation represented by President Dr. Andreas Roumbas and General Secretary Denise Offermann Loizou as its affiliated Member Federation and the sole governing body for weightlifting in

IF Workshop in preparation of Rio 2016

An Interactive workshop was held on 2nd of February 2016 at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne. Representatives from the IOC, ASOIF and Rio 2016 had presentations followed by a question and answer session with delegates from all the 28 Summer Olympic IFs. The main topic of the meeting was the preparation and update information of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. Today’s concerning issues and challenges faced by the Organizing Committee were also discussed during the meeting mainly due to the 30% budget cut. However, it is important to note that according to the previsions, the Olympic experience of the athletes won’t be affected. Weightlifting’s situation is favorable and reassuring. Our venue is within the “Rio Centro” in the Barra Zone; an existing cluster closest to the Olympic Village. Weightlifters can reach the competition venue in 5 minutes. We are also lucky to have Pedro Meloni as Weightlifting Sport Manager, whose devotion and expertise is undoubted. The IWF was represented by Attila Adamfi, Director General and Matyas Lencser, Competition

Updated Regulation for the IWF Grand Prix 1st International Fajr Cup

The 1st International Fajr Cup held in Tehran, IRI will serve as Olympic Qualification Event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Please check out the modified Regulation published on the IWF website for more information. This IWF Grand Prix hosted for the first time by the Iranian Weightlifting Federation will be held at the “Weightlifting Hall of Azadi Sport Complex” in Tehran. The competition will be organized in the following bodyweight categories for Men: 85kg, 94kg, 105kg and +105kg The best 3 athletes will be awarded with prize money. A Methodology and Training Science Course as well as an Anti-Doping Course will take place on every competition day. For further information please contact the Organizing Committee. Make sure to arrange your VISA in

Russian President’s Cup date and place confirmed

The Russian President’s Cup will take place on 19-20 March 2016. This 6th edition will be held in Kazan, city that organized the 2014 IWF Junior World Championships as well. The Regulation will follow

Sam Coffa 80

Facts are facts; still some of them are difficult to accept. Such is for instance the fact that Sam Coffa, IWF Vice President and Chairman of the Technical Committee from Australia, is turning 80 years old. True that he claims seniority in the organisations he holds office in, but it rather refers to rank and wisdom than age. The ultimate Technical Official of unquestionable competence, the National, International and Commonwealth leader of the sport he has a lifelong engagement with, the Olympic Technical Delegate, the weathered and wise Executive of the IWF for decades, etc., etc.; all this coupled with an energetic, passionate character in a youthful man’s body. Dear Mr. Coffa: please continue to live long for many years; enjoy life and work alike to the benefit of the World’s Weightlifting Family! We wish you many happy returns!

Double Olympic Champion Leonid Zhabotinsky dies at 78

Ruslan Zhabotinsky, the son devoted to preserving and fostering his great Father’s heritage announced the death of two-times Olympic Champion weightlifter (+90kg, 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City) Leonid Zhabotinsky. The Ukrainian giant, 4-times World Champion and holder of 19 world records, was rightly called in his time “The Strongest Man of the World” when he collected all the precious titles – then for the USSR – in the superheavyweight category. A role model to the young, he was not only talented but also a hard worker that enabled him to reach the peak of any weightlifter’s career twice. His memorial service will be held at the Leonid Zhabotinsky Weightlifting Sports School in his hometown Zaporozhye, Ukraine, on 16th January