News

3rd World University Championships taking off in Eilat

In Eilat, Israel’s popular and pleasant resort by the Red Sea, 145 competitors are ready to take on the challenge for the honours of the 3rd edition of the FISU World University Championships in weightlifting. The Start List includes 52 female participants from 19 countries and 93 male lifters from 26 countries, among them former Youth Olympic Champions and Junior World Champions as well as Universiade participants. Competitions will run from 6th to 9th November and a live scoreboard will be available on this

OCA to award 20 Olympic gold-winning athletes

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has named 20 Asian athletes who put in great performance at the 2012 London Olympic Games and won gold medals at the prestigious Games. The OCA will award the 20 gold medal-winning athletes at the OCA Banquet in Macau, China in a bid to celebrate their great success achieved at the summer Games. The athletes, including 10 female athletes and 10 males, will attend the ceremony along with the Asian NOCs’ officials scheduled to be held on November 8 to receive their prizes. Four weightlifters will be awarded: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Un Guk Kim, men’s 62kg weightlifting gold medalist Iran’s Behdad Salimi Kordasiabi, men’s +105kg weightlifting gold medalist Kazakhstan’s Ilya Ilyin, men’s 94kg weightlifting gold medalist Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Chinshanlo, women’s 53kg weightlifting gold medalist Asia claimed 214 medals at the Olympic Games, with 20 countries winning 74 golds, 62 silvers and 78 bronze medals. Check the OCA website for more information. By Sarah Alambeigi, Member ISJA for

Electoral Congress of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation

The Turkish Weightlifting Federation held its Electoral Congress on 31st October 2012 in Ankara. 234 Congress delegates voted to elect the Executive Board members of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation for the next 4-year cycle. Two candidates run for the President position. Dr. Hasan AKKUS took 135 votes and the three times Olympic Champion Mr. Halil MUTLU took 99 votes. Dr AKKUS has been elected for the third time since

Key IWF Dates in 2013

The dates of the major IWF events in 2013 are herewith reconfirmed as listed in the IWF Calendar: 6-13 April - IWF Youth World Championships - Tashkent, UZB 3-11 May - IWF Junior World Championships - Lima, PER 20-21 May - IWF Electoral Congress - Moscow, RUS 16-23 October - IWF World Championships - Warsaw,

5th International Tournament Vladan Mihajlovic Memorial

The 5th International Tournament held in the dear memory of Vladan Mihajlovic, legendary International and European official (Yougoslavia/Serbia) was held beginning of October in Belgrade, Serbia. 30 lifters from 6 countries took part in the Tournament organised by the Serbian Weightlifting Federation, under the capable leadership of Milan Mihajlovic, SSDT President. The competition was supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia. The IWF was represented by Mrs. Eva Moska who also awarded the Team Trophies to Bulgaria, who ended up first, Serbia and Turkey. Prof. Dr. Milan V. MIHAJLOVIC said: “We are very grateful to the IWF, in particular to its President Dr. Tamás Aján for the ongoing support to this Tournament, which is now an annual, regular Calendar Event and we are doing our best to further upgrade its quality for the years to come.” The next edition is planned to take place in the capital, Belgrade under the increased support of the Serbian Olympic

Weightlifting shone in St. Petersburg

A year after Belgorod, the second edition of the Russian President's Cup moved to the banks of the Neva. It was a great challenge for the organizers to build up such an outstanding event so close to the London 2012 Olympic Games. At the end of this season, reaching a high level of preparedness is not an easy task for the top class athletes. On stage competing besides well known Russian lifters such as Tatiana KASHIRINA, Silver Medallist in London or David BEDZHANIAN; young and promising athletes stood up on the podium in St. Petersburg. At the Closing Ceremony, the Medal Winners were awarded the Prize Money from the Russian Weightlifting Federation and the main sponsors of the event. In the presence of Mr. Pavel Belov, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of the Government of St. Petersburg, all dignitaries expressed their commitment to carry on the tradition of hosting this high international level competition. The participation and great support of Mr. Alexandr Gerasimenko, President of the Euro-Asian Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Sergey Syrtsov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Andrey Rybak, Vice Presidentof the RWF and Mr. Anton Kislyakov, Executive Manager of the RWF contributed to the success of the event. IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan expressed his contentment with regard to the outstanding organization of the event involving spectacular visual effects and impressive showcase of the sport. “The spectacle provided by the Russian Weightlifting Federation contributes to building a strong and modern image of our sport.” – He added. See you at the 2013 President’s Cup to be held in Moscow! Photos by Katerina