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Dr. Tamás Aján, President of the International Weightlifting Federation was in Vancouver last week to review the plans for the Championships and, among others, declared:

“ I am pleased to be able to return to the beautiful city of Vancouver to review the preparations to host the 2003 World Weightlifting Championships. I can tell you how delighted we are with the progress on communications, volunteers, sports management, broadcasting and marketing. The organizing committee, supported so generously by the Federal and Provincial governments, as well as the corporate supporters, are poised to deliver an outstanding Championship.”

“As an IOC member, I can say how pleased I am with the selection of Vancouver as the host city for the 2010 Olympics. The 2003 World Weightlifting Championships are just one of a number of world championships that will be held here in the lead up to the Olympics, and I can proudly say that our Championships this November will showcase how well Vancouver, BC, and Canada can deliver these events and the Olympics.”

The 6th Men’s and Women’s University World Weightlifting Championships were held in Pavia, Italy between 10 and 13 July with a record number of participants. Up to expectations the Asian competitors have achieved the greatest success. Thailand won the nations’ competition of the women before China. Among the first 6 placed there were 4 Asian and 2 American countries. As to the men, China became the first, and Turkey the second. We can find 3 Asian 2 European and 1 American countries among the first 6. The medal table shows also an Asian advantage. This continent has got all the (21) gold medals in the competitions of women through China, Thailand and Kazakhstan. As to the men, China’s share was 13 gold medals; Asia let Europe and America collect only 5 gold medals. The sole Olympic champion among the participants, the winner of the women’s +75 kg competition, the Chinese Ding Meiyuan however getting by 12.5kg behind the world record: the 300kg, won by an advantage of 72.5kg, accordingly she is now 9 times University World Champion. Besides she has further 1 Olympic, 3 Senior and 3 Junior World Champion’s titles. Among the men also a Chinese, Dong Feng of body weight 128.76kg became a winner in the heaviest weight category. He won again 3 gold medals like previous year in Izmir. He, as the best male competitor received the AIPS-Eleiko cup. In the competition of the women this title was given to Thongsuk Pawina from Thailand, who got ahead of the second placed by 65 kilos in the competition of the 69 kg category. At the World Championships for University and College Students 3 senior world records were established. In the 48 kg category the Chinese Li Zhuo improved on the world record to 93 kg in snatch and 116 kg in clean and jerk. In the 69 kg category Thongsuk Pawina from Thailand set up a new world record in snatch by 116 kg. The 7th University World Weightlifting Championships will be held from 1 to 4 July 2004 in Frederick, in the United States.

Results

The series of world championships this year opened in Hermosillo, Mexico, by the 29th Men’s and 9th Women’s Junior World Championships. The next worldwide rendezvous will be held in Pavia, Italy, for University and College Students, with this sequence culminating in the World Championships in Vancouver, this coming November. That particular event is at the same time the main Olympic Qualification competition, which is expected to draw a new record number of participating countries and athletes. The Junior World Championships in Hermosillo were attended by 129 young male and 100 female weightlifters from 40 countries. As expected, the Chinese played the protagonist’s role, having collected 8 gold medals among the men, and 13 gold medals among the women. Thirteen new world champions were awarded in the men’s field and seven in the women’s competitions. The biggest sensation of the Junior World Championships were provided by the successful Egyptian team. 18-year old Nahla Ramadan established Junior world records in the 75 kg and pocketed the gold medals. This young woman, who is not only strong but very good-looking as well, is the first ever African woman to become world champion in weightlifting! She is unanimously regarded as a great talent and a hopeful for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Hermosillo resulted in the following ranking of nations: Men: 1st RUS (522 points), 2nd CHN (481), 3rd EGY (463) Women: 1st CHN (553 points), 2nd TUR (477), 3rd COL (426).

The 4th Stian Grimseth Cup held for the first time also as IWF Super Heavyweight Gala and Olympic Qualification Event was traditionally organized in Forde, Norway, on the 14th of June 2003. The Organising Committee, with its enthusiastic leader and competitor, Stian Grimseth provided perfect conditions to a high level competition, and even more. On the day before the competition a friendly excursion was organized to meet the wonderful nature around the fjords. The local meal was especially prepared by a chefs’ World Champion. 2 Olympic Champions, Hossein Reza Zadeh from Iran and Andrei Chemerkin from Russia, as well as Continental Champions attended the competition organized in the local sports hall filled to capacity. The Iranian lifter achieving 455kg in the Total won the first place, and he also achieved a special record, because nobody before lifted 250kg in the clean and jerk in Norway. Please find the results HERE.

On the eve of the 2003 Junior World Championships, the IWF held its meetings and Congress in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Among the many items discussed was a first review of the proposed modifications of the IWF Constitution and Rules, due to be introduced in the next quadrennial.

The Junior World Championships is an important step on the road towards the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, because its results are included in the Olympic qualification.

The next, major, step in the Olympic qualification, however, is the 2003 World Championships coming up this November in Vancouver, Canada, about which a report was heard from the Organising Committee. “The World Championships in Vancouver will be the best ever,” said Mike Talic, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee.

At the Federation’s Congress two new members joined the IWF: East Timor and Macao. The two additions bring the number of members in the IWF to 169.

The Federation has announced that in the lead-up to the World Championships and the Olympic Games, it will step up its anti-doping program – already the strictest among all sports – and subject prospective Olympic participants to repeated tests both in and out of competition. “We shall again do everything in our power in order to ensure that weightlifting stays clean,” said Dr. Tamas Ajan, President of the Federation and IOC Member, “and convey a clear message to all athletes, coaches and national federations that we just cannot tolerate the abuse of drugs in our sport!”

A fascinating field of athletes competed on 10th May, 2003 at the 4th IWF BorsodChem Hungarian Grand Prix, held traditionally in Kazincbarcika, Hungary. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the organisers, athletes from 18 countries and 3 continents participated, including two Olympic Champions, Hossein Reza Zadeh and Hossein Tavakoli from Iran; as well as several World and Continental champions. The competitors were prized according to the Sinclaire Points chart, with the total amount of prize monies amounting to nearly 30,000 EUR. In the women’s contests Egyptian Nahla Mohamed set up new Junior World Records in order to win the competition. Eszter Krutzler from Hungary achieved the second place, with an unsuccessful World Record attempt in the Snatch; third was Vanda Maslovska from Ukraine. In the men’s competition, not surprisingly, Hossein Reza Zadeh won, achieving a 450 kg Competition Record in the Total equalling the mark set by Ronny Weller in the previous year. The second became Bulgarian Zlatan Vanev and the third place went to Bakhytbek Akhmetov from Kazakhstan. Thanks to the unusually warm weather, the 4th IWF BorsodChem Hungarian Grand Prix was closed with a pleasant garden party.

Applications are invited for the post of NATIONAL WEIGHTLIFTING COACH FOR WALES. The successful applicant will be responsible for improving the performance of weightlifters in Wales. The position will require a shared commitment in time between North and South Wales. It is envisaged that the applicant will have a thorough knowledge of modern training methods coupled with international experience. It is hoped that the person appointed will commence work in September 2003. The salary, which is grant aided by the Sports Council for Walres will be Ł22,533 + pension contribution if applicable.
A letter giving details of qualification and experience together with a CV should be sent to: Myrddin John, Pennant, Blaenau, Ammanford, Carms, SA18 3BZ, Wales, UK E-mail: myrjohn@aol.com before 1 June 2003.

In agreement with the Chinese Weightlifting Association, the Macao Weightlifting Federation is now returning to the IWF family.
With Macao's reaffiliation, the IWF membership consists of 168 nations.

Just one month after the IWF had visited Vancouver; Jon Curleigh, CEO of 2003 World Weightlifting Championships, paid a short visit to the IWF Headquarters in Budapest. Detailed discussions were held with Dr. Tamás Aján and with the IWF Secretariat members. Mr. Curleigh left together with the IWF delegates for Loutraki, Greece, where he studied the organisation of the European Championships.

Jon Curleigh, Dr. Tamás Aján

The Presidents and the General Secretaries of the Continental Federations were invited by the IWF to attend a Meeting with the President and General Secretary of the IWF in Loutraki, on the occasion of the European Championships. Gamil Hanna President, Samir Hanna General Secretary of the Weightlifting Federation of Africa (WFA), Monico Puentevella President, Ali Moradi General Secretary of the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF), Waldemar Baszanowski President, Marino Casadei Ercolani General Secretary of the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF), Murray Levin President, Fredy Peccerelly General Secretary of the Pan American Weightlifting Confederation (PAWC) were present, Paul Wallwork President and Paul Coffa General Secretary of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation (OWF) were unable to attend.
Beside the co-ordination of several actual questions, discussions were focused on the various issues of qualification for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. The participants were also provided an opportunity to visit the Nikaia Hall, which will be the venue for the weightlifting competitions of the Olympic Games.

The European Championships in Loutraki were organised – not surprisingly – on a very high level. The Organising Committee, with its President, Yannis Sgouros supplied what was yet another example of perfection, professionalism and traditional Greek hospitality. The technology and information facilities, provided by Galanis Sports Data was completed with the improved IWF Technology and Information System, this co-operation resulting in the best ever in technology and information service in the history of the sport.
European Championships results

Following the retirement of Qatar, the 2004 Junior World Championships for Men and Women will be held in Minsk, Republic of Belarus, in the month of June.

On the occasion of the Junior Pan American Championships Attila Adamfi, Assistant to the IWF President paid a visit to Hermosillo, Mexico in order to check the preparations of the Junior World Championships.
The Organising Committee is co-operating closely with the Local Sport Authority and the University of Hermosillo for the successful organisation.
The city and the OC is experienced in hosting international sports events, the Modern Pentathlon World Cup was perfectly organised recently.
Detailed discussions were held about technical and guest related questions.
The results of the Junior Pan American Championships are available in the RESULTS.

Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President and his Assistant Attila Ádámfi paid a short visit to Vancouver, BC, Canada, on 18-21 March, to discuss and check the preparations of the 2003 Weightlifting World Championships, which will take place there, this November.

The competitions will take place in the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Center (VCEC) through 9 days, from 14 to 22 November 2003.

At what is going to be the Main Qualification Event for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the hosts expect a record turnout of over 600 participating athletes and major media and broadcasting interest from all over the world.

The Organizing Committee called “2003 WWC” started to work at full speed under the guidance of Chairman Kyle Washington and CEO Jon Curleigh.

The Technical Regulation, the Timetable and other details are now being finalized and soon you will find this information under our “Upcoming Events” section on this homepage.