News

Riyadh, Opening Ceremony: “These Championships set the bar very high!”

The 2023 edition of the IWF World Championships is officially open after a spectacular ceremony tonight at the venue of the competition. Mixing local traditions, acrobatic performances, and an amazing light show, the moment was attended by Prince Fahd Bin Jalawi Bin Abdulaziz Bin Musaed, Vice-President of the Saudi Arabia National Olympic Committee, by the IWF President Mohammed Jalood and by the Chair of the Organising Committee, the President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation and IWF EB member Mohammed Al-Harbi. With a duration of about one hour, the ceremony highlighted the grandiose nature of these Championships, a mandatory event for all those aiming at getting their place for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (FRA). “Before the start of the competition, we already achieved some records in the IWF history. Firstly, the number of participating countries, 117; secondly, the number of athletes, 719; thirdly, the number of nations that will attend the IWF Congress, on September 12: 150; also, the number of ITOs, a record number of 65; finally, the duration of the championships, 14 days,” recalled Mr Jalood in his speech. “I am sure that given the level of participation, several World Records will be also established in terms of sports performances. Many Olympic and world champions are present in Riyadh and the competition will certainly be very tough,” the IWF President added. “I sincerely thank all the Saudi authorities for their engagement and their support in staging this big event. This is only the start of a bright new road to success for this nation. The way these Championships are organised sets the bar very high. The future hosts will have a very difficult task…” concluded Mr Jalood. Saudi Weightlifting President Al-Harbi also spoke about a “renaissance for the sport in the country thanks to the hosting of this so prestigious event”. Welcoming all participants in Riyadh, the OC Chair underlined that the city will “be the second home for all lifters for two weeks”. The importance of the Olympic qualification through these World Championships – it is one of the mandatory events on the path to Paris, together with the 2024 IWF World Cup – was also highlighted by Mr Al-Harbi. “This is an essential stop before Paris. I wish all the best to the competitors!” The show then proceeded with a performance by local dancers and singers of Saudi traditional music, as well as an acrobatic show displaying difficult and spectacular lifts and throws. All choreographies and music were accompanied by light effects, giving a very special atmosphere to the entire show. The display of the nations’ participating flags was another highlight of the ceremony. The IWF World Championships are held for the first time in Saudi Arabia, from September 4-17. By IWF Communications All photos by Giorgio

Approval of IWF Strategic Plan and further improvement of governance reform among key decisions expected in Riyadh

The IWF is set to take a number of key decisions during the upcoming Congress and Executive Board meeting in Riyadh as it pushes ahead with reforming the organisation and establishing a clear plan for a stronger future. The meetings will take place on the occasion of the IWF World Championships, which will feature around 700 athletes from 120 nations, including all 20 current world champions, as athletes compete for Paris 2024 Olympic qualification. During the IWF Congress on September 12, National Federations will vote to approve the IWF Strategic Plan 2024-2032 which was developed following the broadest-ever consultation in the sport’s history. The plan provides a roadmap for weightlifting’s global development as the IWF looks to shape a new future as a clean, athlete-centred, and well-governed modern sport. The Congress will also vote on proposed amendments to the IWF Constitution to provide better understanding and clarity, ensuring the document serves its purpose as an effective tool of governance. Ahead of the Congress, the IWF Executive Board will approve the implementation process of the Athlete Gender Identity Policy which has been in force since August 1 and aims to promote inclusion while also respecting the integrity of competitions. The EB will also approve the Terms of Reference for the IWF Safety and Integrity Officer which was recently created by the IWF to enhance athlete safeguarding. Speaking ahead of the key meetings, IWF President Mohammed Jalood said: “Riyadh will be a momentous occasion for the IWF both on and off the field of play. Over 14 days of elite competition we will celebrate the world’s very best athletes as they compete for world titles and all-important Paris 2024 qualification. And away from the competition our Congress and Executive Board will take important decisions to safeguard our athletes and deliver the strongest possible future for our sport. “The collaborative Strategic Plan 2024-2032 is critical in providing a clear framework for weightlifting and ensuring clean athletes and good governance are at the heart of our work. The implementation plan of the Athlete Gender Identity Policy and terms of IWF Safety and Integrity Officer also demonstrates our commitment to our athletes and ensuring they have an inclusive, safe, and fair environment to compete in.”

IWF Grand Prix II in Doha (QAT): Preliminary Entries due on September 4!

The preliminary entries for the IWF Grand Prix II, to be held in Doha (QAT) from December 4-14, 2023 are to be sent until September 4, 2023 – three months before the start of the competition, a qualification event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris (FRA). All the IWF Member National Federations have received updated information on this matter, namely the following timeline: September 4, 2023 – Deadline for Preliminary Entries / Whereabouts information November 4, 2023 – Deadline for Final Entries November 14, 2023 – Deadline for participating Member Federations (MF) to transfer 100% of total payment concerning accommodation and entry fees to the Organising Committee. The non-respect of this deadline may lead to the ineligibility of the concerned athletes December 2, 2023 – Verification of Final Entries (online) At the Preliminary Entry stage, MFs can register up to 20 athletes per gender even though the final number of competitors can only be a maximum of 10 athletes (+2 Reserves) per gender, which are to be selected by the Final Entry deadline. After the preliminary registration, no more athletes can be entered by the MFs.ENTRIES CAN ONLY BE REGISTERED VIA THE IWF ONLINE ENTRY SYSTEM AT: https://mf.iwf.sport Relevant documents: COMPETITION REGULATIONS Accommodation & Transportation

Riyadh, Preview: Stellar cast can make it a World Championships for the ages as Saudi Arabia plays host for first time

An impressive array of top-quality athletes, coupled with the event’s wider importance in Olympic qualifying, can make the 2023 IWF World Championships one to remember. Saudi Arabia hosts the IWF’s flagship event for the first time at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh, the capital city, where more than 700 athletes will take part from September 4-17. They include all 20 current world champions, the 13 Tokyo Olympic gold medallists who are still competing, 17 world record holders and a host of continental champions. Everybody who is intent on competing at Paris 2024 must travel to Riyadh because this is the first of two mandatory events in qualifying, where athletes must participate. Those who are not fully fit, or who are going to the Asian Games and worried about competing twice in a month, can choose to weigh in without lifting, which 27 athletes have done. They include champions and record breakers Maude Charron from Canada, Mirabai Chanu from India, Lesman Paredes from Bahrain, Loredana Toma from Romania and Karlos Nasar from Bulgaria. Despite their absence, the line-up in Riyadh is of the highest quality. China, the sport’s global powerhouse, sends its strongest team and unlike last year all the big names are expected to lift. Shi Zhiyong (CHN) There is a welcome return for Shi Zhiyong, who has been injured and has not lifted since winning gold at 73kg in the Tokyo Olympic Games more than two years ago. He is due to compete in the 81kg C Group. Whether because of fitness concerns or tactics, Shi is not the only Olympic champion listed in a C Group. Kuo Hsing-Chun from Chinese Taipei, the 59kg winner in Tokyo, is another, and several more big-name athletes are in B and C Groups. One, the 55kg world champion and multiple junior world record holder Seeraphong Silachai from Thailand, is in the 61kg D Group. The A Groups could be closely contested classic sessions regardless. At 102kg, five men have posted entry totals of 400kg or more, including the Olympic champion Meso Hassona from Qatar and two Armenians, Samvel Gasparyan and the teenager Garik Karapetyan. Nobody eligible for Paris has yet made 400kg in qualifying. There is an Uzbekistan head-to-head between an Olympic champion and a world record holder when Akbar Djuraev and Ruslan Nurudinov contest the men’s 109kg. In the men’s super-heavyweights all eight athletes in the A Group, the final session of the Championships on September 17, have entry totals of 440kg or more. There is quality in the lighter weights too. In the women’s 49kg three women in the simplified rankings for Paris have made 200kg or more, one of whom, Chanu, has declared that she will not lift. Seven women have posted entry totals of 200kg or more in Riyadh. Only two men have made 300kg or more in qualifying at 61kg. Even though one of them, Eko Yuli Irawan from Indonesia, has gone up to 67kg at the World Championships, 10 athletes have an entry total of 300kg or more. Besides Saudi Arabia, the only two nations sending maximum teams of 20 are the United States and Colombia, while Korea and Mexico send 19 athletes, and China and Spain 18. Canada, Armenia, Japan, Thailand, Hungary, Iran, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Turkmenistan have teams of 14 or more. The 20-year-old Korean Park Hyejeong will be one to watch as she attempts the rare feat of making a 300kg total in the women’s super-heavyweights, having made 295kg last time out at the Asian Championships. Park Hyejeong (KOR) Colombia’s team includes the 59kg world champion Yenny Alvarez and Olympic silver medallist Luis Javier Mosquera, who has not made a lift in qualifying to date because of a serious wrist injury and is due to compete in the 73kg B Group. Egypt appears to have the strongest team from the Arab world and should get plenty of support. Its top hopes are Sara Samir at 76kg, Neama Said at 71kg and Karim Abokahla in the men’s 96kg. The International Technical Officials are going to be busy. There are 66 sessions, and the longest days will run from 0700 until about 2330, from first weigh-in to last lift. By Brian Oliver, Inside the

Don’t miss the Anti-Doping Education Seminar in Riyadh!

Less than a week before the start of the IWF World Championships, our International Federation is delighted to be partnering with the International Testing Agency (ITA) at the 2023 IWF World Championships in Riyadh (KSA) to deliver an Anti-Doping Education Seminar, taking place on September 9, at 10am (exact location to be confirmed). An ITA Education Ambassador, two times Olympic medallist from Canada, Ms. Christine Girard will deliver a presentation for all interested about clean sport. Moreover, all participants will leave with a nice surprise gift! Finally, an IWF/ITA Information Booth will be available at the venue from September 9-11 for all those who would like to take part in interesting anti-doping activities! Bring your team and friends and come to learn more about our ILiftClean programme! Quizzes, useful information and practical tips are provided to all lifters and support personnel, giving in a very pedagogic way very useful insights on our anti-doping rules and procedures. A similar initiative was successfully held last March, on the occasion of the IWF World Youth Championships in Durres (ALB). Back then, many young athletes filled the room of the Seminar and made a stop at the informative booth. The 2023 IWF World Championships will be held in Saudi Arabia, from September 4-17, gathering around 700 competitors from 120 nations. It is the most important IWF event of the year and it also constitutes a qualification opportunity for the 2024 Olympic Games in

“Weightlifting Changed my Life”: A lesson of life in Honduras and in Jordan! 

It is often said that sport can be a tool for social success, or even more importantly a way of changing the lives of those practicing it. This is already a nice declaration on paper, but it becomes really interesting when concrete examples of the positive change sport may bring to the athletes are shown. Through an inspiring video – “Weightlifting Changed my Life” – the IWF went to Honduras and Jordan to talk about these young competitors, who saw their lives transformed thanks to their passion for the sport.   In the streets of Tegucigalpa, and in some of the most marginalised neighbourhoods of the Honduran capital, Axel Pavon, Emelin Ortiz, Jorge Hernandez, and Sofia Aleman tell us about their existences before and after weightlifting entered into their lives. Influenced by family or friends, they all underline the powerful impact the sport brought to their existence.   “This sport helped me a lot as it prevented me from going down the wrong path. It also made me a more mature and tougher person,” considers Ortiz, who had also fought against the discrimination against women in weightlifting. Aleman also had a “bumpy road, but it was sure worth it!” In her case, weightlifting decisively helped her overcome a serious depression episode. “It literally saved my life”.   Pavon talks about the power of the sport as a “ray of hope for many people at social risk”, while Hernandez is an athlete, but works at the same time in his own house construction company. “I come from a poor environment, but I didn’t want to remain like that. I wanted to have a better life than the ones my parents experienced. I refused the status of ‘being poor’ for my entire life. Weightlifting was essential in this process.”   On the other side of the planet, in Amman, weightlifting had also a major importance in the lives of many young athletes. Adlah Hasonh, sisters Rama and Rahima Hijazi, and Weam Qandeel are four female athletes that had to overcome the stigmatisation of the sport for women and are today promising talents in Jordan’s national team.   “I didn’t like the sport in the beginning, but when I started competing, I fell in love with it!” confesses Qandeel. “I know that through our example, we are a role model for some people,” she adds. The Hijazi siblings agree that weightlifting reinforced their confidence, while their mother Rania confesses: “I had to research about the effects of the sport on the woman’s body. And it soon became evident that there was absolutely no risk to their health. Today, I encourage my daughters and I am happy with their evolution.”   In Al-Manara, Asem and Raad Alsallaj are brothers and also share a passion for weightlifting. “It’s a family business, our father was a lifter, and we are trained by our uncle. Our destiny was to be in this sport. But we love it and we support each other.”   Get inspired by these examples of devotion and discover the power of weightlifting in the lives of these young athletes! Enjoy our video