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Marcin Dolega after surgery

Current World Champion Marcin Dolega (105 kg) spent his week end in a Lodz hospital as his shoulder had to be operated. The procedure was performed arthroscopically. The first stage of rehabilitation should last two weeks. Back to light training should take place for about a month. If everything will proceed as it should and Dolega quickly returns to his full health and fitness he can start his normal training and preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games on 1

Iran’s greatest hopes

Iran's national team is trained by head coach Koroush Bagheri (34), world champion in 2001 in Antalya (94 kg). His team's strongest point is World Champion and Asian Games gold medallist Behdad Salimi (22) in superheavy category. World's strongest man proved himself a modern Hercules lifted 214 kilograms for his second snatch. He managed to elevate 217 kilograms overhead in his third attempt at Takhti Stadium of the provincial capital Sanandaj located 1800 meters above the sea level as ISNA reported. The current world record set by Iranian icon Hossein Rezazadeh, who had snatched 213 kilograms in 2003. Salimi lifted personal record 256 kg in clean and jerk and reached 473 kg in total, one kg more than Rezazadeh's current world record set up in Sydney in 2000.Salimi's main goal in Paris is to set up official world records in snatch and total, along with winning three gold medals. Iran's other favourite is Kianoush Rostami (20) in 85kg category. He won the bronze medal in Antalya in 77kg category. He was then crowned as junior world champion in Malaysia in 85 kg (on bodyweight). He is now working hard to win the senior championships title. During his trainings he has lifted 170-175 kilogram in snatch, and 210-215 in clean and jerk. Iran's third greatest hope is Saeed Mohammadpour junior world champion in Malaysia in 94 kg category. He is in top shape, his training results are 180 kg in snatch and 215-220 in clean and jerk. His results in Penang were 175 kg and 210 kg. His strong rival is Asghar Ibrahimi, silver medalist at Asian Games in 94 kg category. Sajad Behrouzi (22), who participated in 2005 Qatar WWC at his age of 16 years old, will compete in 69 kg. (by Mohammad Reza

A blind lifter on the platform in Paris

Malek Chamoun (22) qualified to compete at the world championships in Paris next month. Chamoun was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of seven and by 15 was declared legally blind. The condition has continued to deteriorate over time and today he must use a cane to get around. Yet with his father George, a former Australian weightlifting representative, as his coach and with mother Rita supporting on the home front, Malek took up weightlifting at age 12 and, after many frustrations and setbacks. "To learn the lifts, other people do it by seeing it done, but I learned to do it all by feel. I use my other senses. Balance is an issue I seem to have worked out" - he explained. He placed second, just 6kg in total, behind Commonwealth Games gold medallist Simplice Ribouem, in the 85kg bodyweight category at the recent nationals. Chamoun tallied 319kg with competition personal-best lifts of 140kg for the snatch and 179kg for the clean and jerk. Then the weightlifting training starts at home on the most inspirational stage imaginable: the actual Sydney Olympic weightlifting platform, which his father bought at auction. "The weights are easier to see than the bar. But I know the bar is going to be in the middle of the platform. I walk forward up until my legs touch the bar. And I can feel markings on the bar so I can adjust my grip." To the best of anyone in Australian weightlifting's knowledge, Chamoun will be the first blind person to compete at the world championships.(based on the story written by Mike Hurst, The Daily

Godelli: A young Albanian on his way

Albanian Daniel Godelli had his first international appearance five years ago in Sweden when he became bronze medallist at European Championships U17 in the 50kg category. This year is extremely successful for 19 years old talented lifter. Godelli introduced himself among senior in Russia in April (European championships) and won 2 bronze medals, in Malaysia in June (World Junior Championships) won 1 gold and 2 silver medals (although he lost the gold medal both in the snatch and clean and jerk on bodyweight, he emerged the winner in the total with 309 kg), and finally in Romania in September (European Junior championships) another gold enriched his collection in 69kg snatch. In clean and jerk Godelli had a serious injury in the left elbow and after his first attempt (166 kg) he had to stop competing. According to Albanian Weightlifting Federation's report however he recovered but not able for record results during his trainings two times a day. Godelli has a strong wish to qualify for London Olympic Games with a goal of fighting for a medal. The young lifter wants to continue his studies at University of Sport in

2010 IWF World Championships – Qualification Team Classification updated

The results of the 2010 IWF World Championships are updated.Please note that this classification is not final and will be updated accordingly. The updated Qualification Team Classification can be found here:Men / Women

Dmitriy Berestov believes in massive Russian results

Berestov, Olympic Champion in 2004 became Vice President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation last year and works also as a Director of a sports school in Moscow. As an athlete he popularizes weightlifting at different competitions where Olympic and World Champions take part and a great number of spectators attend. As a sport leader his intention is to develop children's and youth weightlifting not only in Moscow but all over Russia. He holds master classes at schools where the athletes and Berestov himself take an active part. „The development of weightlifting is in the focus of our Government's attention and of course it is the main task of the Russian Weightlifting Federation. We expect the mass media should pay more attention on our sport. Promotion is important to attract more young people and show them that weightlifting is the basis of all other sports which develops all the muscles. The President's Cup in December will be the best occasion to prove the excellence of our sport." Talking about the chances of the Russian weightlifters at the forthcoming World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games, he expects medals in four categories both among men and women. The results at the World Championships in November in Paris will give a clear picture about it. (based on