News

Mexican President opened 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara

The Mexican President, Felipe Calderon, declared open in Omnilife Stadium the Guadalajara Pan-Am Games, which will take place until October 30."I solemnly declare inaugurated the XVI Pan-Am Games," said Calderon under the enthusiastic eye of the 49,000 spectators present in the Stadium. Calderon proclaimed his "certainty" that the Games symbolize the "union of fraternity, piece, and prosperity" among the American nations. Weightlifting competition starts on 23 October with 125 athletes (69 men and 56 women). The organization of the quadrennial event, which draw 6,000 athletes from 42 nations in the Americas, is sure to come under intense scrutiny as Mexico plays host to its first major event since the 1986 World Cup, and first big multi-sport competition since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The games offer direct qualification in a dozen sports to next year's Olympics. The Netherlands Antilles will have 11 athletes competing under the flag of the Pan American Sports Organization because the International Olympic Committee no longer recognizes it as an independent country. Next year, athletes from the islands located off the northeast coast of South America will compete under the IOC flag in London.

India’s medals tally swells at Cape Town

India added 56 medals, including 17 gold, on the third day of the Commonwealth (Youth, Junior and Senior) Weightlifting Championship in Cape Town to swell their medall tally to 89.Yukar Sibi won three gold in junior men's 62kg with a total lift of 264kg (116+148). Jagdish and Neeraj Sharma also won three gold each in 69kg and 77kg events of the youth competition with total lifts of 234kg (104+130) and 276kg (125+151).In the senior competition, Rustam Sarang won two gold and a silver in 62kg with a total lift of 268kg (120+148).Youth competition ended in Cape Town, South Africa. Check out the RESULTS

The 4th Vladan Mihajlovic Memorial with world-class lineup

The 4th International Tournament held in the dear memory of Vladan Mihajlovic, legendary international and European official (Yougoslavia/Serbia) in Subotica, SRB boasted a lineup including French world champion Venceslav Dabaya and other renowned Olympians. Lifters from 7 countries took part in the Tournament organised by the Serbian Weightlifting Federation, under the capable leadership of Milan Mihajlovic, SSDT President. The IWF was represented by the President's special envoy Anikó Németh-Móra. The entire French national squad was among the participants and they also took the Best Lifter trophies by the Sinclair point system. "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" - said Mr. M. Mihajlovic - 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

WFA Executive Board Meeting

On the 9th and 10th October, the WFA Executive Board had its meeting on the occasion of the African Championships held in Cape Town, South Africa in the presence of Dr. Tamas Ajan, IWF President. Among others, the Board discussed the date and place of the African Youth and Junior Championships (November 2011, Kampala, UGA) and the IWF African Qualification Event (28th March - 2nd April 2012, Nairobi, KEN). The Executive Board discussed in details the Constitution and approved to be submitted to the WFA Congress. The Executive Board also approved the utilization plan of the CF Contribution funds provided by the IWF presented by the Development Director of

5th International Athletes’ Forum

More than 100 athletes from five continents took part in three days of discussions at the 5th International Athletes' Forum held by the IOC in Colorado Springs, USA. There was a day of joint meetings with the Athletes' Council of the International Paralympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency's Athletes Committee, Continental Associations and athletes' commission representatives from the International Federations. Topics ranged from the International Olympic Committee's Athlete Career Program to athletes' entourages, betting and gambling and anti-doping. Maxim Agapitov, Chairman of the IWF Athlete's Commission participated in these discussions, particularly the discussion on the Career Program, which provides guidance and the necessary tools to successfully manage training, competition and the challenges and opportunities of day-to-day life as an elite athlete. Sports activities were also organized at the U.S. Olympic Committee Training Center. "I believe that, first and foremost, coaches and parents of athletes should be familiar with the Program because they influence athletes at each stage of their career and help them to achieve their goals both inside and outside of sport, particularly in education." - said Mr. Maxim Agapitov, who took part in the Forum on behalf of the International Weightlifting Federation as Chairman of the IWF Athletes'

Record-breaking stunt

„Wyszomirski knows everything" his Polish friends say about him. Stanisław Wyszomirski (71) is really a "Professor" or a "Computer", although Staszek he tries to defend himself against Internet madness as much as he can. The Polish Federation recently celebrated Wyszomirski's 1000. competition he acted as a referee. The first time he worked as a referee was in 1961. This record-breaking stunt held during the 81st Men Polish Championship in Plonsk, so the celebration was unique with lot of wishes, a huge bowl, decorative trays, flowers and perhaps also a tear of emotion.