World Weightlifting Magazine No. 142

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING No.142

KUO HSING-CHUN, TPE, 142kg Clean and Jerk in 58kg: The year’s first and so far only women’s world record was set by the local favourite at the Taipei2017 Universiade 2017 ANAHEIM WWC 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW TOKYO

TAIPEI2017 UNIVERSIADE

CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

PHOTO: 2017TUOC

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF INTERNATIONAL WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION

Published by International Weightlifting Federation DR. TAMÁS AJÁN IWF President IOC Honorary Member MOHAMMED JALOOD IWF General Secretary Editor-in-Chief KORNÉL JANCSÓ Senior Editor ANIKÓ NÉMETH-MÓRA Communication Director LILLA ROZGONYI Photos JÓZSEF SZAKA Art Editor Crazy Panda Studio Graphic Design Marcell Studio (www.marcelltamas.hu) Spanish & Russian Editions DAVID COLON ARROYO MARINA SHAFIT ÁGNES LUKÁCSFALVI

Printed by TypoNova (www.typonova.hu) All communications: world.weightlifting@iwfnet.net www.iwf.net facebook.com/iwfnet twitter.com/iwfnet instagram.com/iwfnet youtube.com/iwfmedia

CONTENTS No. 142 02-03 | FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT 04 |

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH IWF GENERAL SECRETARY MOHAMMED JALOOD

05-20 |

2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, TOKYO

22-24 |

RETURN TO AMERICA – 2017 ANAHEIM WWC PREVIEW

25 |

INTERVIEW – KARYN MARSHALL

26-31 | 2017 TAIPEI UNIVERSIADE 32-35 |

SUCCESSFUL DEBUT OF WEIGHTLIFTING AT AIMAG, ASHGABAT

36-38 | AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, VACOAS 40-42 | PAN AMERICAN CHAMPONSHIPS, MIAMI 44-45 | ELEIKO EUROPEAN AND OPEN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS, HALMSTAD 46-47 | DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION 48 |

TECHNICAL CORNER

Any articles, results or photos published in WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING may be reproduced without the written consent of the IWF, however, reference should be made to this publication.

ISSN 0230-3035

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 1

› FOREWORD

FOREWORD

O

Dear Readers, Dear Friends,

ne of the hottest topics in international sports circles today is the so-called “good governance”.

Essentially, it comprises the criteria and the best practices of bringing international sport’s management and governance to a higher level from all points of view. The awareness of a need to step forward in this area received a push especially following the election of Thomas Bach to President of the International Olympic Committee. The problems that are waiting to be addressed originate from the different pace the various areas and spheres of the international sport environment have been developing and evolving at.

A different range of issues keeps emerging in the International Sport Federations from those surfacing in the International Olympic Committee or in other sport-related organisations – governance, control, financial, moral, ethical, anti-doping or other – yet many of those are common for all entities. If not for another reason, a harmonization would be highly desirable between and within the individual organisations.

As far as I am concerned, I am committed to achieving significant improvement within the IWF in relation to our affiliated Member Federations. We have 192 national members and a harmonization of the standards of good governance is imminent – in their own interest and in a global interest. When coming to the job to be done we must have a special focus on the five Continental Federations and the nearly two dozens of Regional Federations where the issues of governance, control and management are to be approached in many different ways, at varying levels.

The IWF Executive Board gave an example of good governance at its meeting in Bucharest when making the epic decision of implementing the one-year ban on nine Federations producing multiple doping offences at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games 2 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

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s far as the IWF is concerned, we have already started this procedure and can record significant achievements in the field of good governance. That is proven by a survey made of all the International Sports Federations by a party outside weightlifting, the ASOIF – the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations – at which the IWF received a very high and positive rating. However, an organisation can only be judged as overall well-managed and transparent if its constituents are also well-managed and transparent. And a study where we applied the same – objective – criteria for the entities within our own family (continental, regional, national federations) yet fails to give a satisfactory picture.

Therefore, the process of improvement must be started, as soon as possible, in relation to our constituents, the Member Federations, and, with even more priority, towards the Continental and Regional Federations.

Why? – At the time of the foundation of the 5 Continental Federations (in four of which I was the founder) the circumstances and the international sporting environment were absolutely different. In its early days almost five decades ago, the European Federation, for instance, founded in 1969, used to work in an entirely different structure, with different concepts and objectives from those of today, in 2017. The same refers to the Oceania Federation created in 1980 or the Weightlifting Federation of Africa established in 1978. The Asian and the Pan-American Federations have also experienced massive changes in their environment both outside and inside these organisations.

Naturally, I respect the individual features of each of these Federations as regards their cultural, historic, professional-technical, sporting traditions and heritages. Yet, in the recent fundamental transformations significant differences have developed in the sport entailing major variations also between the Continents in terms of sporting success. The different levels have to be evaluated and acknowledged, however, the same criteria of good management, governance, financial transparency and reliability, and in particular the antidoping activities must be applied for all.

I consider this process as very important and opportune. It deserves our immediate attention and we are planning to put this on the agenda of the Executive Board and upcoming meetings and Congress in Anaheim. All of that should be treated in conjunction with the IWF Development Program, a project judged universally as a success story evolving for the last 12 years. We must find a way and create the opportunities for standardization and find new answers to the question: How to best develop weightlifting on a global scale? The subject is complex, needing a basic document for discussion – that to be elaborated by a Working Group and finally subject for approval by the Congress.

DR. TAMÁS AJÁN IWF PRESIDENT

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 3

› INTERVIEW TEXT: ANIKO NEMETH-MORA

IWF GENERAL SECRETARY MOHAMMED JALOOD “WE ARE FAMILY” His election at Bangkok to General Secretary of the IWF with overwhelming majority may have surprised some, but not those aware of his diligence and full dedication to the sport of weightlifting. He is known for wanting to help everybody everywhere. He is an extremely friendly man and seems to know everyone. But do we really know him? Hardly. Our Exclusive Interview is trying to bring this hard-working and enthusiastic official closer to the Weightlifting Community he likes to call “Family”.

WW: Where were you born and where did you spend your childhood?

MJ: I was born on July 1st, 1961 in Babylon – an ancient city-state of Mesopotamia, fifty-five miles south of modern-day Baghdad, Iraq.

When I was 6 years old, we moved from Babylon to Baghdad with my family where I spent my childhood.

WW: What was your first contact with sport? Which was your favourite sport and how did you get to weightlifting?

MJ: When I was 7 years old, I used to like playing football very much. After that, I became interested in volleyball. In 1974, when I was 13 years old, my friends introduced me to weightlifting and I really liked it. I learnt the correct techniques of how to lift barbells, and in 1979 I participated in the Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships in Manila, Philippines where I won a bronze medal.

WW: What are the major milestones in your sport-diplomatic career?

MJ: In 1989, I became the General Secretary of the Iraq Weightlifting Federation and the Baghdad Weightlifting Club. In 1996, I became President of both of these organisations. Then, in 2003, I became Treasurer of the Iraq National Olympic Committee.

I fulfilled the position of General Secretary of the Asian Weightlifting Federation from 2002-2015 and also General Secretary of the Arab Weightlifting Federation 2009 until now. After I had become IWF General Secretary this May, I resigned from my AWF function and became Asia’s 1st Vice President.

WW: You must be travelling a lot due to your various duties and international functions. How do you manage?

MJ: I love the sport of weightlifting very much. It’s in my blood, and I spend most of my most time with this beloved sport. Four months ago, I became the IWF General Secretary. Certainly, I suffer from having to travel around the world, but I respect all countries who

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have supported and believed in me and in my philosophy I feel I must work as a servant to the people who have helped me to achieve this position. I try to help the entire weightlifting community as much as I can.

“I TRY TO HELP THE ENTIRE WEIGHTLIFTING COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS I CAN.” WW: What is for you the most critical issue in today’s weightlifting?

MJ: Doping is a critical problem in the sport of weightlifting nowadays. We, all of the members of the Executive Board, are trying to solve this problem. We are all working on it and our main aim is to keep our sport clean and save it in the Olympic program.

WW: What do you think is the difference between your last job as AWF General Secretary and being International Federation General Secretary?

MJ: According to my view, in our weightlifting family we have five children – I mean the five continents. I love all my children equally; before I was General Secretary at the AWF, and now the IWF: it is a big family indeed. There are no borders between us as we respect each other; we all work diligently to show that the sport of weightlifting is very strong and dear to the world. In a family it is important to have people to resort to for advice. When I need to resolve urgent questions, I consult with experienced people and discuss with them. Most of all, I discuss everything with Dr. Tamás Aján, IWF President and AWF President Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, and my close weightlifting colleagues and friends.

I always listen to people and share my opinion with them as well.

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEXT: LILLA ROZGONYI PHOTOS: STEVE GALVAN

2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TOKYO, JPN JUNIORS CATCH THE SCENT OF OLYMPICS

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he generation of Olympian aspirants, the under-twenty gathered for their global rendezvous in the Japanese capital between 15th and 23rd June this summer for the 2017 edition of the IWF Junior World Championships.

The metropolis will host the next Olympic Games in 2020, a fact the JWC competitors certainly got a special kick from. It is almost certain that many of the contestants, born between 1997 and 2001, may return to Tokyo in three years to vie for the Olympic honours. Estimation that – should they earn the right to be Olympians in Tokyo – several medal winners of the Junior World

Championships will be awarded medals in 2020 as well carries no particular risk.

As for the quantities: 104 female and 150 male competitors came to the event this year. The women’s fields were dominated by the Chinese both in terms of the team ranking and in the medal tally. China collected 21 medals of which 16 gold (!), 4 silver and 1 bronze. Thailand’s upcoming generation earned four medals each of every type, while Ecuador surprised by taking the third position with a collection of 3 – 1 – 3 medals. Latvia was successful in one category. Of the 29 participating countries altogether 16 won at least one medal.

WOMEN – TEAM RANKING

MEN – TEAM RANKING

Points

Competitors

Points

Competitors

1

CHN

571

7

1

IRI

423

8

2

UKR

509

8

2

JPN

394

8

3

ECU

491

8

3

CHN

391

7

4

USA

432

8

4

COL

346

5

5

RUS

402

7

5

BLR

339

6

6

THA

383

6

6

TPE

330

7

7

JPN

380

8

7

USA

308

8

9

TPE

345

7

9

GEO

278

4

10

CAN

226

5

10

KOR

276

5

It was China that excelled also in the men’s championships, though at a slightly lower margin than the girls. Chinese lifters captured eight medals (5 – 1 – 2), followed by Colombia (3 – 2 – 2) and Uzbekistan (3 – 2 – 0). Armenia collected one silver medal short of UZB and took the fourth place in this ranking. Further six countries were able to hit gold resulting in a much wider spread of the medal allocation than in the women. The ten nations winning gold are: GEO (2 – 2 – 3), IRI (2 –

2 – 2), QAT (2 – 1 – 0), USA (2 – 0 – 0), the host country JPN (1 – 3 – 2) and VIE (1 – 2 – 0). A total of 22 countries clinched a medal of any colour, thus the power relations looked much better balanced in the men.

Representatives of 43 countries stood in the line-ups and to some surprise Iran and even Japan beat China on the team classification. (The latter entering only 7 lifters.)

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› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

As far as the individual performances are concerned, suffice it to highlight the best in the women’s point classification: HUANG Ting, China in 63kg (239kg) and the best in the men: MARTIROSYAN Simon, Armenia in +105kg (426kg). The two still young lifters picked up the IWF Media Award for the Best Lifter of the JWC. The Championships inaugurated two new categories: the women’s 90kg and +90kg – both epic gold medals were won by Chinese lifters: PENG Lina and SUN Yongjie, respectively.

In the lead-up to the 2020 highlight, the Japan Weightlifting Federation under its President MIYAKE Yoshinobu staged a top-level event with high professional level and great hospitality. The contribution of Tokyo 2020 Weight-

lifting Manager CHINEN Reiko must be given special mention: Reiko’s well-known professionalism and exactitude left its mark on the Championships where Japanese art, top-notch technology and visual splendour were also prevalent to leave an unforgettable memory in all participants.

The IWF Executive Board, having its important meeting prior to the Championships, had the opportunity to visit the 2020 Olympic Weightlifting Venue and receive a guided tour of the Tokyo 2020 venues.

Both the participating young lifters and the senior officials were able to smell the scent of Olympics in Tokyo that certainly made all of them wanting to come back in 2020.

IWF President Dr. Tamás Aján thanked the Tokyo Government for its help to the JWC

48kg medal winners 6 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN 48KG – SUKCHAROEN DEFENDED HER TITLE

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016 Junior World Champion SUKCHAROEN Thunya (THA) had no contenders in the Women’s 48kg. She showed her supremacy in the snatch and only came out for one successful attempt in the clean and jerk making it a good lift at 97kg.

She won the three available gold medals leaving second place to her fellow Thai teammate NANTHAWONG Chirapan. With her total of 174kg – 5kg less than SUKCHAROEN – she finished ahead of OLIVEIRA MADEIRA Luana (BRA) ranking only 6th in the Clean and jerk. The advantage earned by the Brazilian lifter in the snatch seemed to be enough for the third place in the total with 169kg.

48KG 1 SUKCHAROEN THUNYA

21.04.1997 THA 47.83

82

97 179

2 NANTHAWONG CHIRAPHAN

17.08.1999 THA 47.95

78

96 174

3 OLIVEIRA MADEIRA LUANA

31.01.1998 BRA 47.69

79

90 169

4 SANMARTIN M. C. ELIZABETH

04.04.1997 ECU 47.94

73

93 166

5 TAKAHASHI IBUKI

24.03.1997 JPN 47.67

70

96 166

6 SEEGERT MEGAN MARIE

07.07.1998 USA 47.91

75

90 165

ZHU Qiaoling won easily

53KG – CHINA TAKES OVER

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nding the snatch with 88kg, ZHU Qiaoling (CHN) came out at 105kg for her first attempt in the clean and jerk. Securing the victory with this first lift, she reappeared to give 109kg a try – successful. She missed her third lift at 111kg but won the gold easily anyway.

Surprisingly, HANHUR Mariia (UKR) reached only a 3rd and 4th place and that result (188kg) was still enough for a silver medal in the total while 4th and 3rd placed PANKOVA Liudmila (BLR) won the Bronze medal with 186kg.

Earning Silver in the Snatch but ending 7th in the Clean and jerk, NOVITSKAIA Kristina (RUS) missed the podium by 1kg and landed off the dais in 4th position.

After an unfortunate start and three missed attempts in the snatch (85kg-85kg-87kg), LANDOULSI Nouha’s (TUN) starting weight in the clean and jerk also seemed too high.

Missing the 105kg once, her second attempt was finally a good one and earned her a silver.

53KG 1 ZHU QIAOLING

25.02.1999 CHN 52.91

88 109 197

2 HANHUR MARIIA

24.08.2000 UKR 52.87

84 104 188

3 PANKOVA LIUDMILA

25.03.1997 BLR 52.93

81 105 186

4 NOVITSKAIA KRISTINA

22.09.1999 RUS 52.95

85 100 185

5 DELACRUZ J. ELIZABETH

20.05.1998 USA 52.78

81 102 183

6 KHAMBAO SURODCHANA

23.12.1999 THA 52.87

80 100 180

Making 3rd and 4th places into silver: HANHUR Mariia, UKR WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 7

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

58KG – PERSONAL BEST CROWNS KOHA REBEKA WORLD CHAMPION

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mpressive competition with tension until the end as KOHA Rebeka (LAT) European Junior and Youth Champion and 4th place winner at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Rose to prominence. To do so, she needed to reach new heights and be successful with 6 lifts.

Changing bodyweight category after the Olympics, she is now reaching to the top in the Women’s 58kg. With two silver medals in the snatch (99kg) and the clean and jerk (120kg), she stood on the highest step of the podium to receive the gold for her total of 219kg. She won the first

ever women’s champion title for Latvia.

Ending 1kg ahead of KOHA in the Snatch, YANG Chunyan (CHN) missed only one lift – a clean and jerk at 120kg – maybe the most important one. With 218kg, she took silver in the total with 218kg.

Youth Olympic Champion in 2014 and silver medallist at the 2016 IWF Junior World Championships, PAKKARATHA Rattanaphon’s (THA) last lift in the clean and jerk (121kg) ensured her gold, and a bronze for her total of 213kg.

58KG 1 KOHA REBEKA

19.05.1998 LAT 57.61

99 120 219

2 YANG CHUNYAN

13.03.1997 CHN 57.77 100 118 218

3 PAKKARATHA RATTANAPHON 14.06.1997 THA 57.81

92 121 213

4 SANCHEZ FERRER ALBA

90 110 200

10.01.1998 ESP 57.24

5 MORALES DEL AGUILA R. ESTELA

14.11.1998 COL 58.00

85 110 195

6 LEVENT NURAY

08.05.2000 TUR 57.67

87 106 193

KOHA Rebeka: Latvia’s super girl

Missing the gold by 1 kilo: YANG Chunyan, CHN

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› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

63KG – AS EXPECTED, CHINA DOMINATES

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ith two strong contenders in the line-up, China was expected to dominate the 63kg – and it duly did. ZHOU Xiaojing missed her second attempt at 105kg and it seemed that HUANG Ting can win the snatch Gold, but raising the bar to 106kg the former won over her Chinese compatriot.

Interesting to note that except for ZHOU and HUANG, all the athletes in the Women’s 63kg missed their third attempts.

The lean and jerk competition was more than tense as ZHOU and HUANG kept fighting for the gold. Both athletes showed huge superiority over the other athletes competing.

ZHOU Xiaojing missed her last attempt at 134kg so it was all or nothing for HUANG who had to make her third attempt a good lift.

With 6 successful attempts, HUANG Ting, 2015 Youth

World Champion and 2016 Asian Junior Champion eventually won the gold for her total of 239kg.

All three bronze medals went to different athletes!

The snatch was awarded to LLAMOSA MOSQUERA Nathalia (COL) while DURAN AYON Ana Lilia (MEX) took the one in the clean and jerk. As for the total, HULPAN Florina-Sorina (ROU) placed 4th in the snatch and 5th in the clean and jerk got the overall bronze with 213kg.

63KG 1 HUANG TING

16.01.1999 CHN 62.87 105 134 239

2 ZHOU XIAOJING

29.01.1998 CHN 62.64 106 130 236

3 HULPAN FLORINA-SORINA

07.03.1997 ROU 63.00

93 120 213

4 MYERS MADELEINE ISABEL 04.01.1997 USA 62.38

91 122 213

5 DURAN AYON ANA LILIA

16.11.1997 MEX 62.42

89 122 211

6 LLAMOSA M. NATHALIA

14.06.1997 COL 61.56

94 115 209

A podium of five shared the medals

HUANG Ting “The most memorable moment for me in Tokyo was when I heard my name announced as the Best Female Lifter of the Championships.

I am not sure I can qualify for Anaheim but if I am there I will go for the gold.

Naturally, my biggest dream is to take part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and stand on top of the podium.

The happiest time for me is to be together with my family. As I spend most of my time in training I cherish every moment which I can spend with my family.”

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 9

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

69KG - HAT TRICK BY YI

Y

I Chuwei (CHN) missed two of her attempts but still managed to keep her leading position until the end. She won the three gold medals with 104kg-126kg-230kg.

The competition for the silver was close between TILER Rebekah Jade (GBR) and PANOVA Hanna (UKR).

Only 5th in the snatch, PANOVA came up second in the clean and jerk but was caught up by TILER – 3rd in the snatch – also lifting 123kg for her second attempt.

In the end, TILER won the silver medal with 225kg while PANOVA the bronze with 223kg.

PALACIOS DAJOMES Angie Paola (ECU) missed the podium only by 1kg.

At 17 years of age, PALACIOS DAJOMES Angie Paola got near the podium

The young ladies in this category may have been too ambitious in their choice of closing attempts as no athlete competing in the 63kg was able to make a good lift on the last clean and jerk.

69KG 1 YI CHUWEI

09.02.1997 CHN 67.73 104 126 230

2 TILER REBEKAH JADE

13.01.1999 GBR 68.84 102 123 225

3 PANOVA HANNA

25.06.1998 UKR 68.28 100 123 223

4 PALACIOS D. ANGIE PAOLA

12.09.2000 ECU 67.36 102 120 222

5 KOZLOVA ALEKSANDRA

24.04.1997 RUS 65.52 103 118 221

6 SHEVKOPLIAS ALONA

03.04.1998 UKR 68.80

98 114 212

A confident victory by YI Chuwei in 69kg

TILER Rebekah Jade “I had an amazing experience in Tokyo. It was my first world juniors so to get 3 medals was brilliant. Also it was good rehearsal for the 2020 Olympics and I share with you my secret dream: I want to become Olympic champion!

I’m not like a normal girl who goes out shopping and buying clothes. I would rather do quad biking and go on adventures; also I am really into wolfs: they are my favourite animals. “

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› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

75KG - STRENGTH AND POWER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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er sister competing in the 63kg could not reach such heights, but DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia (ECU) lifted for her, too and got the best out of her performance.

Following a well set strategy, she took the victory step by step. Making the hat trick with 108kg as her best snatch and 134kg as her best clean and jerk, she mounted the top of the podium for her total of 242kg.

SHYSHANOVA Anastasiia (UKR) trailed her in the snatch with 107kg. Though only 4th in the clean and jerk she however got sufficient advantage to grab the silver in the total with 230kg.

The third place was awarded to POGHOSYAN Sona (ARM) in the Total with 223kg, but she also got a silver in the clean and jerk.

TRETYAKOVA Maria (RUS) landed 6th in the Total but still got a bronze in the Snatch while the second Ecuadorian lifter in this bodyweight category SALAZAR ARCE Tamara Yajaira (ECU) won the one in the Clean and jerk.

75KG 1 DAJOMES B. N. PATRICIA

12.05.1998 ECU 74.52 108 134 242

2 SHYSHANOVA ANASTASIIA

02.12.1998 UKR 73.81 107 123 230

3 POGHOSYAN SONA

29.06.1998 ARM 73.67

98 125 223

4 SALAZAR ARCE T. YAJAIRA

09.08.1997 ECU 74.60

96 124 220

5 TRETYAKOVA MARIA

22.10.1997 RUS 74.49

99 110 209

6 CHINEN HIMENO

12.08.1997 JPN 74.62

90 117 207

DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia “It is a unique experience to be able to go on the platform and show the work I am doing with my coaches Mayra Hoyos and Walter Lllerena, and be part of the Ecuadorian team since in a World Championships many times one does not have the opportunity to be on the podium and give that happiness to the country.

In these 8 years of my sports career as a weightlifter I have learnt that dreams can be fulfilled with dedication, persistence and much effort. I feel very proud knowing that I am an example for my siblings who are also doing this sport and to highlight one of them, Angie Palacios who was Youth World Champion in Bangkok 2017 and the best female athlete.”

A crowded podium in 75kg

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 11

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

90KG – FIRST EVER 90KG JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION: WHO ELSE BUT CHINESE?

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A historic first 90kg Junior World Champion: PENG Lina, CHN

ENG Lina’s (CHN) first attempt in the snatch at 100kg was perfectly controlled and lifted with ease just like the second and third one at 105kg and 107kg.

Taking her turn straight after the Chinese lifter, KISIL Valentyna (UKR) just added a couple of kilos each time. She missed her last one at 108kg and left the snatch gold to PENG. Trying to grab the second place CIKAMATANA Eileen Floanna Maria (FIJ) missed her second and third attempts at 101kg and 103kg and finished third far behind the leading duo.

However, the clean and jerk gave CIKAMATANA a great chance to come up second and she even took the ultimate lead for a couple of minutes (with 132kg) until PENG came out for her last attempt at 133kg.

PENG making 3 good lifts in the clean and jerk once again showing her impressive technique was rewarded with all three gold medals available in the brand-new 90kg bodyweight category and thus making history in the sport.

Ending only 1kg behind the Chinese, CIKAMATANA stood proudly on the second place of the podium.

Making it to 121kg and a 5th place in the clean and jerk, KISIL managed to secure the third place in the Total with 227kg.

CIKAMATANA Eileen brought glory to Fiji in 90kg

90KG 1 PENG LINA

19.05.1999 CHN 88.56 107 133 240

2 CIKAMATANA E. F. MARIA 18.09.1999

12 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

FIJ 79.66

97 132 229

3 KISIL VALENTYNA

05.07.1998 UKR 81.74 106 121 227

4 RIAZANOVA DARIA

24.08.2000 RUS 89.36

95 127 222

5 NEMTSEVA ANASTASIIA

07.02.1997 RUS 83.40

95 124 219

6 GOMEZ D. ERNA DINORA

27.08.1997 MEX 88.74

90 111 201

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

+90KG – ANOTHER FIRST – ANOTHER CHINESE

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nother epic title to grab in the new women’s superheavyweight category: the door was open to China, Thailand or Ecuador. Eventually, no surprises came as, making impressive jumps between her lifts, SUN Yongjie (CHN) executed three good attempts -115kg-123kg130kg – taking a 19kg advantage over AYOVI CABEZAS Lisseth Betzaida (ECU) finishing as runner-up.

The Thai lifter CHAIDEE Duangaksorn almost missed to register a total since she could save her 110kg in snatch only at her third attempt. Even with this single lift she won the bronze and recorded a 4kg advantage over 4th placed KO A-Rang (KOR).

SUN and CHAIDEE came out for their first clean and jerk attempts so high that all athletes already finished their competitions when they were just about to start.

CHAIDEE managed to lift the necessary 150kg at her second attempt. Wishing to finish with 153kg, that weight proved to be too heavy. With only two good lifts she won the silver medal in the Total with 260kg.

AYOVI CABEZAS got 3rd place with 246kg – way ahead of 4th place DALAYAN Arpine (ARM) registering 234kg.

Waiting for the rest to finish, SUN came out for 151kg and that being successful she already had the winning total of 281kg. There was no point in taking her last two lifts. The ultimate winner of the last women’s competition in the second new category was Chinese – to no-one’s surprise.

Runner-up in +90kg: CHAIDEE Duangaksorn, THA

+90KG 1 SUN YONGJIE

12.01.1998 CHN 118.16 130 151 281

2 CHAIDEE DUANGAKSORN 11.08.1997 THA 112.01 110 150 260 3 AYOVI C. L. BETZAIDA

07.08.1998 ECU 120.02 111 135 246

4 DALALYAN ARPINE

18.02.1999 ARM 107.64 100 134 234

5 BARANOVA YELYZAVETA

05.11.1998 UKR 103.80 103 130 233

6 KO A-RANG

16.08.1997 KOR 111.22 106 122 228

China took the first +90kg title with SUN Yongjie

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 13

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56KG – JOY AND PRIDE FOR JAPAN TO OPEN WITH MEDAL

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rowing an advantage of 11kg in the Snatch with 120kg, the Chinese lifter WANG Hao (CHN) won the gold easily even if he only managed to grab third place in the clean and jerk.

After a bronze in the snatch, LAI Gia Thanh (VIE) won the gold in the clean and jerk with 140kg. MASHIKO Hiroyuki (JPN) having 6 straight lifts made the Japanese hosts happy and proud as he won the bronze medal in total of 244kg.

Third in the Snatch with 109kg, GUNGOR Isa (TUR) only reached the 9th place in the Clean and jerk and slipped back into 6th in total.

56KG 1 WANG HAO

16.08.1998 CHN

55.97 120 138 258

2 LAI GIA THANH

03.05.1998

VIE

55.30 109 140 249

3 MASHIKO HIROYUKI

08.10.1997 JPN

55.85 105 139 244

4 LIM KANGHUN

29.06.1998 KOR

55.78 103 138 241

5 SCHEDLER LEON

01.06.1998 GER

55.92 104 132 236

6 GUNGOR ISA

13.09.1998 TUR

55.81 109 126 235

Asian dominance in 56kg

MEN

An overwhelming victory by WANG Hao, CHN thanks to strong snatch

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

62KG – ROUTINE WIN BY LIN

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t was an easy win for LIN Zhixiang (CHN) – having no challenger in the men’s 62kg. With 130kg-160kg290kg, he came out only once in the clean and jerk and won all the gold medals available.

After a third place in the Snatch, his fellow countryman WEI Chengzuo (CHN) started too high in the clean and jerk and missed to lift 159kg three times thus not being able to secure a total.

This passed the clean and jerk bronze medal to MAU Jon Luke (GER). With three good lifts and a last one at 154kg, he only ended 1kg behind silver medallist HIGUITA BARRERA Luis Fernando (COL).

Third place in the Total went to KUVANC Cumali (TUR) also missing two attempts in the clean and jerk – one at 148kg and the other at 150kg.

62KG 1 LIN ZHIXIANG

04.02.1998 CHN 61.79 130 160 290

2 HIGUITA B. L. FERNANDO 10.01.1997 COL 61.68 126 155 281

Colombian silver by HIGUITA BARRERA Luis Fernando

Hat trick by LIN Zhixiang, CHN in 62kg

3 KUVANC CUMALI

01.10.1998 TUR 61.95 127 146 273

4 LAPTSEU HENADZ

15.12.1998 BLR 61.98 125 146 271

5 MAU JON LUKE

02.10.1998 GER 61.88 117 154 271

6 ZURITA V. C. DAVID

10.02.1998 ECU 61.40 120 150 270

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 15

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

69KG – CUMMINGS JR DEFENDED HIS TITLE

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hina disappointed: Three missed lifts in the snatch by LIU Weijian opened the chance to the other athletes competing in the 69kg bodyweight category.

The Japanese public gave a real boost to MIYAMOTO Masanori (JPN) who secured the gold in snatch with 147kg. He was followed by ZANNI Mirko (ITA) at 140kg and MOSQUERA LOZANO Jose David (COL) only 1kg behind. Missing his third attempt at 141kg, CUMMINGS JR Clarence (USA) landed in a – temporarily disappointing – 4th position.

The clean and jerk, however, brought a change in the order and it was time for CUMMINGS JR Clarence (USA) to shine. After a first successful lift at 173kg, he waited to take his second one.

Setting a Japanese National Record, MIYAMOTO Masanori (JPN) was the only one still in the game to keep it up with CUMMINGS. With two good lifts (168kg and 173kg), the Japanese athlete only missed his last attempt at 178kg.

CUMMINGS came out for 183kg and a good lift to take 186kg as his last attempt. He already had the gold medals safe in the bank in both clean and jerk and total, however, he challenged two existing Youth World Records. In the end, he was unable to break his own clean and jerk Youth World Record of 185kg and the total Youth World Record of 322kg set by Shagir Taner (TUR), but his courageous attempt gave the public an incredible performance.

CUMMINGS JR Clarence “The Junior Worlds in Tokyo were just amazing. The whole setup of the event was great. I really enjoyed the experience. Tokyo was a beautiful city and I look forward to coming back there. My second attempt at the clean and jerk attempt was definitely the most memorable moment. It was a great feeling to be able to make that lift and win gold.

My mid-term goals are to keep setting personal and world records. I am also looking forward to starting college next year. In the long-term, I plan to compete at the 2020 Games and my goal is to medal.

One of my other interests besides weightlifting is acting.

One day I hope to star in a movie or TV show.”

16 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

CUMMINGS JR continues to reign in both the Youth and Junior age groups

69KG 1 CUMMINGS JR CLARENCE

06.06.2000 USA 68.56 138 183 321

2 MIYAMOTO MASANORI

03.02.1997 JPN 68.92 147 173 320

3 BAK JUHYO

29.06.1997 KOR 68.72 138 167 305

4 ZANNI MIRKO

16.10.1997

ITA

68.60 140 164 304

5 MOSQUERA LOZANO J. DAVID

09.10.1998 COL 68.00 139 163 302

6 DUMITRASCU PAUL

31.01.2000 ROU 68.85 127 171 298

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

77KG - LOPEZ LOPEZ YEISON HAD NO PAIR

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OPEZ LOPEZ Yeison (COL) was the only athlete winning three medals in this competition and all of them gold. Several times Youth and Junior World Champion, his results are constantly improving. With his total of 356kg, he

LOPEZ LOPEZ Yeison (COL) can relax after taking 3 gold medals

registered his best result ever achieved at an IWF sanctioned event. With impressive lifts – all of them good – he lifted 18kg more than the silver medallist ending with a result of 338kg.

Ranking 5th in the snatch, KHUDAYBERGANOV Shakhzod (UZB) came up in the clean and jerk and even made a high jump between his second and third attempts going from 186kg to 193kg but the weight was way too heavy for him to succeed.

However, he still kept his second position in both in the clean and jerk and in the total. Reaching 338kg, he was followed by IARKIN Viacheslav (RUS).

IARKIN won with two 4th places adding up to bronze and outscoring SUHAREVS Ritvars (LAT) by 1kg for the podium. The Latvian lifter won a bronze in the snatch while in the clean and jerk 3rd place went to KIM Sungmin from Korea.

77KG 1 LOPEZ LOPEZ YEISON

09.01.1999 COL 76.35 161 195 356

2 KHUDAYBERGANOV SHAKHZOD 19.04.1997 UZB 76.95 152 186 338 3 IARKIN VIACHESLAV

19.11.1997 RUS 76.74 152 183 335

4 SUHAREVS RITVARS

11.01.1999 LAT 76.55 154 180 334

5 RODALLEGAS C. B. SANTIAGO

15.11.1997 COL 76.85 152 181 333

6 KIM SUNGMIN

25.02.1997 KOR 76.34 147 185 332

Six medallists on the podium in 77kg!

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 17

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

85KG QATARI GOLD – ELBAKH FARES IBRAHIM JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION

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old medallist in the snatch with 162kg, DAVITADZE Revaz (GEO) couldn’t transform his advantage into a victory. Missing two clean and jerk attempts, he failed to get close to the leading lifters in the clean and jerk where he finished 9th.

However, with many lifters missing their attempts, DAVITADZE suddenly found himself in third position with his total of 347kg.

The incredibly talented ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim E. H. (QAT) was crowned 2017 Junior World Champion. He won the 2016 Asian Championships with 352kg and lifted 353kg here in Tokyo. Placed 7th at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, ELBAKH might be a real hope for a Qatari medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The silver medal went to melodically named VALLENILLA SANCHEZ Keydomar Giovanni (VEN) winning three medals altogether – a bronze in the snatch (156kg), a silver in the clean and jerk (192kg) and another one in the total (348kg).

RIVAS MOSQUERA Jhonatan (COL) ended 5th in the Total but still got a bronze medal in the clean and jerk with 191kg.

Qatar wins with ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim

85KG 1 ELBAKH FARES IBRAHIM E. H. 04.06.1998 QAT 84.75 160 193 353 2 VALLENILLA S. K. GIOVANNI

08.10.1999 VEN 84.27 156 192 348

3 DAVITADZE REVAZ

16.10.1998 GEO 84.70 162 185 347

4 LU XINGYU

18.01.1998 CHN 84.50 156 190 346

5 RIVAS MOSQUERA JHONATAN 11.07.1998 COL 84.19 155 191 346 6 HOVHANNISYAN DAVIT

14.01.1997 ARM 83.91 155 185 340

ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim E. H. “I can’t describe the feeling when I achieved the gold medal.

It was the moment when I realized that am moving in the right direction on the path the federation and my father and coach (c. Ibrahim Hassouna) designed for me.

Competing in Rio 2016 and as I was the youngest lifter and still achieved 7th place motivated me to put a strategy for Tokyo. It was an experience that made me 10 years older and very proud of myself.

I born in a family where my dad, my brothers were all great lifters so weightlifting for me is not just a sport, it’s really my family, my job, life style & passion.”

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Gold medallist in snatch: DAVITADZE Revaz, GEO

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

94KG – UZBEK SOBIROV CONFIDENT IN BOTH LIFTS

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A smooth victory by SOBIROV Farkhodbek, UZB

aking 170kg as a first lift, the Uzbek lifter SOBIROV Farkhodbek made it three good ones going for 175kg and 180kg. Taking a 9kg advantage over TSIKHANTSOU Yauheni (BLR) and an 11kg one over third place PYROHOV Kyryl (UKR), he started the clean and jerk with great confidence.

His first attempt at 200kg was impressive and he kept moving on until reaching 210kg. Silver medallist at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and 2016 Junior World Champion, he defended his title and defeated all opponents in the 94kg bodyweight category.

With his total of 378kg TSIKHANTSOU Yauheni (BLR) registers his first result achieved at an IWF competition.

He won 3 silver medals in a row.

After a 5th place in the snatch, OURAMEH Rahman (IRI) lifted 205kg in the clean and jerk and besides winning a bronze medal for that he won another one in the total for 364kg.

94KG 1 SOBIROV FARKHODBEK

10.09.1997 UZB 92.86 180 210 390

2 TSIKHANTSOU YAUHENI

04.11.1998 BLR 93.65 171 207 378

3 OURAMEH RAHMAN

01.11.1998

4 PYROHOV KYRYL

24.05.1998 UKR 93.21 169 194 363

IRI

93.99 159 205 364

5 SANTAVY BOADY ROBERT

22.05.1997 CAN 90.61 160 195 355

6 REN XIANGLIN

22.05.1999 CHN 93.57 150 190 340

105KG 1 BEIRALVAND REZA

01.04.1997

2 KHETSURIANI DATO

05.06.1997 GEO 104.14 173 195 368

IRI

96.75 163 206 369

3 GASPARYAN SAMVEL

24.11.1997 ARM 102.73 160 205 365

4 CHKHEIDZE IRAKLI

05.01.1999 GEO 99.65 161 195 356

5 TOUAIRI AYMEN

11.09.1998 ALG 103.43 155 201 356

6 DJURAEV AKBAR

08.10.1999 UZB 100.30 162 190 352

Iran’s time came with BEIRALVAND Reza in 105kg who worked off 10kg minus from the snatch

Happy medal winners in 94kg

105KG – FIRST GOLD FOR IRAN

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uite a few people were in the game for the snatch medal – from IRI, UZB, GEO, JPN and ARM. It was however an easy first place secured

by KHETSURIANI Dato (GEO) lifting 165kg170kg-173kg all good lifts. BEIRALVAND Reza (IRI) and IWASAKI Takayuki (JPN) followed with 163kg for both.

2015 Youth World Champion TOUAIRI Aymen (ALG) ranked only 8th in the Snatch and lagged by 18kg behind KHETSURIANI. The Georgian missing a clean and jerk attempt at 195kg and another one at 201kg had to report absent from that particular medal distribution.

5th place at the 2016 Junior World Championships with 370kg, he reached a Total of 368kg here in Tokyo and got the Silver medal for that.

Third place at the 2016 IWF Junior World Championships, BEIRALVAND Reza (IRI) lifted 1kg more than KHETSURIANI and after a silver in the snatch, he got 2 gold medals. Coming up from a 6th place in the snatch, GASPARYAN Samvel (ARM) was promoted to silver and bronze medallist – 205kg in the clean and jerk and 365kg in the total. TOUAIRI managed to grab a bronze medal in

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 19

› 2017 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

+105KG – ARMENIA’S YOUNG GIANT MARTIROSYAN TO WIN THE LAST EVENT IN TOKYO

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he first lift at 186kg seemed so easy for MARTIROSYAN Simon (ARM), but he couldn’t control the bar loaded to 190kg. He soon corrected the mistake and lifted 191kg on his third attempt.

2016 Youth World Champion DAVOUDI Ali (IRI) missed his last attempt in the Snatch and ended 4kg behind MARTIROSYAN for a silver but he lost his chance for an overall rank bombing in the second act.

Junior World Champion in 2016 with 379kg, CHKHEIDZE Giorgi (GEO) secured himself two third places (Snatch and Clean and jerk) and while missing twice on 221kg, his total of 406kg resulted in a Silver.

Not surprisingly, the superheavy title was now attributed to Rio 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist, Youth Olympic Champion Armenian superstar MARTIROSYAN Simon. With 426kg, an impressive 20kg more than

The young King and his Princes: medals in +105kg

Simon MARTIROSYAN “My most memorable moment in Tokyo was to win the Gold Medal in a Championship so excellently organized.

I am preparing to participate in the coming World and European Championships and later on to obtain the quota place for participation in XXXII Olympic Games in Tokyo.

I am sure that, if the coach and the athlete together plan the training and preparation process in a correct way, the athlete can perform top level results without 20 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING usage of any stimulators.”

CHKHEIDZE, the Armenian champion won all three gold medals at this last competition of the 2017 IWF Junior World Championships Tokyo, JPN. The three good lifts of KAJDOCI Tamas (SRB) in the snatch and his only successful lift in the clean and jerk (223kg) enabled him to take the third place in the total with 403kg. +105KG 1 MARTIROSYAN SIMON

17.02.1997 ARM 113.45 191 235 426

2 CHKHEIDZE GIORGI

30.10.1997 GEO 128.25 184 222 406

3 KAJDOCI TAMAS

21.04.1997 SRB 144.33 180 223 403

4 ZIAZIULIN EDUARD

29.10.1998 BLR 129.95 181 200 381

5 LEBEDZEU ILLIA

28.07.1997 BLR 139.50 165 211 376

6 COULLET A. J. PIERRE

10.01.1997 FRA 138.74 160 204 364

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 21

› 2017 IWF WWC ANAHEIM PREVIEW TEXT: KORNÉL JANCSÓ

83RD MEN’S AND 26TH WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

A RETURN TO AMERICA

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he statement is valid for more than one reason: at the end of November 2017 the world of weightlifting returns to the United States.

It fits because the last World Championships prior to the 2016 Olympic Games, in 2015, were held on American soil: in Houston, Texas; and also because the “homecoming” of the women’s world championships is closing a special cycle. Though the numbering of the Women’s Worlds indicates the 26th edition only, the series of the world challenges for the ladies was launched 30 years ago, in 1987, in the very same country, the United States of America. Back then exactly 100 female competitors from 22 countries gathered in Daytona Beach, Florida, to capture medals at what was their first ever officially IWF-sanctioned championship.

On the other hand, the men have had even more opportunities to meet for their global challenge in the USA. For the first time at the 26th World Championships in 1947, just two years after World War 2, that time in Philadelphia, with 39 competitors from 12 countries in attendance. When the US welcomed the weightlifting summit next was in 1970: the 44th World Championships in Colombus, Ohio – with 129 competitors representing 28 nations. Eight years later, in October of 1978, the USA came to the rescue of the World Championships (following a late removal of the event from Teheran) and Gettysburg, PA played host to 185 weightlifters from 35 countries.

SRISURAT may have to face competition from TPE or her own country, THA

22 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

HSU Shu-Ching from Chinese Taipei is number one favourite in 53kg

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hat was the 52nd World Championships. In 1984 the Olympic Games in Los Angeles still qualified as World Championships and it was marked as the 56th. In spite of the boycott by the Soviet-bloc countries, record participation was registered: 187 competitors from 48 nations.

Since the first joint World Championships, when for the first time the men and the women were together racing for the medals, the USA saw its next term come in late November 2015. The urge of Olympic qualification left its mark on the Houston, TX, turnout: 585 starters gathered from 94 countries in the capital of Texas.

Thus, we are now looking at the seventh weightlifting world championships to be held in the USA. As for the expected number of competitors: before the final entry deadline we can only make an estimate but we reckon with less nations and certainly over three hundred contestants. By all means, the Anaheim Convention Center will be very busy between 28th November and 5th December.

› 2017 IWF WWC ANAHEIM PREVIEW

A

t the time of writing these lines the line-ups are not yet final, yet the preliminary entries do offer a chance for calculation and estimates. Some important and traditional weightlifting nations are absent from the Preliminary Entry list, e.g. Indonesia. And on 5th November we got an explanation for the ABSENCE of NORTH KOREA: the PRK declared it decided to stay away from the 2017 IWF World Championships. It did so despite the fact that – notwithstanding the global political tension in the area – the United States repeatedly confirmed that the PRK team was welcome to Los Angeles and their undisturbed participation was guaranteed. The door was thus open for the North-Korean weightlifters who are undoubtedly among the best in the sport. Therefore, the ABSENCE OF DPR KOREA IS ESPECIALLY REGRETTABLE. North Korea was expected to finish top of the medals table in Anaheim as it had lifters ranked Number 1 in seven bodyweight categories. Most certainly, they are missing their chance for glory, including the supremacy in the team ranking in both genders.

Another factor that might have made North-Korea’s job even easier is that its fiercest rival nations would not – cannot – be present in Anaheim. As it is known: as a consequence of multiple doping offences in the reanalysis by the IOC of the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games samples, the IWF Executive Board imposed a oneyear ban on nine nations: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.

On top of it all – just to make our overview even more complicated – after the 2015 World Championships a total of 25 competitors had to be stripped of their results due to doping offences…

All in all, a number of factors must be considered when trying to assess the odds of defending titles in the individual categories. World Champions in Houston, the following lifters will not be in a position to defend their titles in Anaheim: among the women 48kg JIANG Huihua (CHN), 58kg KOSTOVA Boyanka Minkova (AZE), 63kg DENG Wei (CHN), 69kg XIANG Yanmei (CHN), 75kg KANG Yue (CHN) and in the new superheavyweight category, the +90kg KASHIRINA Tatiana (RUS). The men’s line-ups will have to miss CHEN Lijun (CHN) in 62kg, SHI Zhiyong (CHN) in 69kg, RAHIMOV Nijat (KAZ) in 77kg, OKULOV Artem (RUS) in 85kg, STRALTSOU Vadzim (BLR) in 94kg and ZAICHIKOV Alexandr (KAZ) in 105kg.

In fact, it would be more simple to write: the only women’s world champion who has a chance to defend her title from 2015 is HSU Shu-Ching in 53kg. Taiwan’s superstar, meanwhile also Olympic Champion of Rio 2016, has a strong chance to win the gold medal again in Anaheim, though she might have to be confronted with challenge from TANASAN Sopita, Thailand’s Olympic Champion in 48kg who will lift in this higher category, as well as from DIAZ Hidilyn of the Philippines, Rio’s second and Houston World Championships bronze medallist.

Benefitting from the absence of former winners, in the women’s 48kg we might see Vietnam’s VUONG Thi Huyen, 2015 silver medallist, as the main favourite. In 58kg we might witness a duel between Rio’s gold medal winner SRISURAT Sukanya’s compatriot Olympic second SIRIKAEW Pimsiri, and Chinese Taipei 2017 Universiade Champion KUO Hsing-Chun. The latter’s position is reinforced by the fact that up to Anaheim she has been the only female lifter capable of setting a new world record (in 58kg with 142kg clean and jerk at the Universiade).

Anyone wishing to stop VALENTIN Lidia will have a tough, if not impossible, job

Absolute favourite for the 85kg gold: ROSTAMI Kianoush, IRI

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 23

› 2017 IWF WWC ANAHEIM PREVIEW

W

ith no absolute favourites around in the 63kg, time may come in 69kg for 19-year old Olympic third AHMED Sara from Egypt. In contrast, the 75kg will certainly belong to the “older” generation represented by the irresistible and unstoppable Spanish icon, VALENTIN Perez Lidia. The new category of 90kg offers an open door to several candidates vying for the sport’s epic first ever world championships medals. In the closing women’s category, the +90kg the main contenders are HARIDY Shaimaa (EGY), PULSABSAKUL Chitchanok (THA) and the local favourite ROBLES Sarah.

In the men’s 56kg category the gold medal could have been awarded blindly in advance to the sport’s undoubtedly greatest star, OM Yun Chol – had PRK’s Olympic and world champion come to the USA to capture yet more glory. Under the circumstances, however, he left the stage free for the rest of the field! Less influenced by the North Korean absence, the 62kg offers a momentum for Colombian MOSQUERA VALENCIA Francisco Antonio who tied in Houston with the other MOSQUERA (FIGUEROA Oscar) and won bronze due to the bodyweight disadvantage, because the latter family member has since retired from the sport, upon winning the Olympic title in Rio. In the 69kg category Tunisian BEN HNIA Karem has the best prospects for gold: he might make an advance to the top from Houston’s fifth position. In the 77kg the odds favour Egypt’s rising star, bronze medallist of Rio and Houston second MAHMOUD Mohamed Ihab. Representing a nation that may draw the most benefit from the forced nonappearance of several rival nations, ROSTAMI Kianoush is

94kg MORADI Sohrab, IRI tuned in for Anaheim with world record

24 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

the uncontested favourite in the 85kg. World Championships runner up last time but since then Olympic Champion, ROSTAMI would surprise by not capturing the 2017 world title in the USA.

Very similar is the outlook for the 94kg, where another Iranian, recent world recorder MORADI Sohrab (Rio Olympic Champion as well) might have to look twice to find any worthy challengers. In contrast, in the 105kg there is no absolute favourite in sight: anyone might step on the top of the dais. In stark contrast, in the plus 105kg it is almost impossible for anybody else than Georgian TALAKHADZE Lasha to triumph. The title defender cum Olympic Champion who reconfirmed his supremacy by setting a new world record earlier this year is known to be ready to lift for the crown of the superheavies. Let us, however, note here that there is another very famous name on the preliminary entry list. That of SALIMIKORDASIABI Behdad. About to return to the world stage, the Iranian giant – as we remember – first snatched a world record in Rio, but later was eliminated in the clean and jerk. Question is which face the double world and 2012 Olympic Champion will show in Anaheim?

The 2017 World Championships is expected to mark special milestones for both genders. Counting the medals awarded since the very beginning, we shall first see the 1,800th Women’s World Championships medal being earned: by the winner in total in 58kg. The men’s competition will register an even more special landmark: the winner of the silver in snatch of 77kg will be able to take over the 4,000th World Championships medal in the history of weightlifting!

TALAKHADZE Lasha, GEO warned potential rivals early in 2017 with world record that he would claim the crown in +105kg

SALIMIKORDASIABI Behdad, IRI wants to regain his supremacy?

› INTERVIEW TEXT: ANIKO NEMETH-MORA

KARYN MARSHALL, FIRST WOMAN WORLD CHAMPION OF THE USA In 2017 with the Anaheim World Championships we also celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 1st Women’s World Championships in Daytona Beach. Our interview features US female weightlifting legend, IWF Hall of Fame Member Karyn MARSHALL. WW: Quite a long and winding road led to the 1st edition of the IWF-sanctioned Women’s World Championships. Were you involved in the quest leading to this WWC? What was your “past” before Daytona Beach?

KM: It has been a quite a journey! And I am grateful to have played a role in the evolution of women’s weightlifting. I began lifting in 1978 and competed in the first US Women’s Nationals in 1981.

Since that start, I immersed myself in the sport to help advance women’s weightlifting as best I could. As an athlete, as a Women’s Committee member, as a Women’s Sports Foundation member, I tried to be the best athlete I could be and represent the sport in a positive way. Before there were any official IWF world records for women, I broke several Guinness Book World Records for the greatest overhead lift by a woman. I became the first woman in the world to officially clean and jerk more than 300 pounds (137.5 kg).

As a result of that I received quite a bit of positive publicity in the US, appearing on TV, magazines, newspapers and giving speeches about our sport and how to advance it. While I by no means did all of this alone, others also contributed, I feel that I played my part in the history of women’s weightlifting.

“I FEEL THAT I PLAYED MY PART IN THE HISTORY OF WOMEN’S WEIGHTLIFTING.” WW: Who taught you to lift weights in the “Olympic” style?

KM: I was introduced to weightlifting by Marc Chasnov and Tom Tarter. They encouraged me and coached me to try out this new sport for women. When I started we had no women’s division at any level. I competed and trained with men, in men’s classes. I did not know any other women lifting. As time went on, I had the opportunity to work with other great coaches who helped me over the years. Artie Drechsler, Naum Kelmansky, Mark Cohen, and I even worked with a short while with Angel Spassov.

WW: I still remember the general atmosphere: it was kind of euphoria among the participants. How much was the 1987 WWC a happy happening and how much a serious competition?

KM: The atmosphere was electric. I was in awe, I think we all were. I felt a sense of calm determination, knowing how important it was to do my best and take home the gold. This was the most serious and important competition of my life and I was enjoying every minute of it!

WW: You had quite a few victories in your life. But you also had other battles: first battle to win over sexism in a preconception of female weightlifters, later to defeat cancer.

KM: There were many sacrifices made in my pursuit of weightlifting. But it has given back so much more in terms of a feeling of achievement and confidence and knowing the value of hard work.

I suppose I enjoy challenges in life, ones that I accept willingly and others not by choice. Playing a role in breaking down barriers in women’s weightlifting has been a highlight of my life. I have applied that same work ethics to my career, currently as a Doctor of Chiropractic and running a multi-disciplinary health care office.

I was given the opportunity to do a TedX talk about women’s sports and the battles we face. I also now participate and compete in the new sport of CrossFit, another hard sport that I enjoy. My battle with breast cancer was the most devastating challenge I have faced. But again I faced it like I have other challenges in my life, with determination and a will to survive and succeed. I believe that weightlifting has helped give me that strength on the inside to face those battles.

WW: What did the 1987 Daytona Beach WWC on “home ground” mean to you and the US team?

KM: The First Women’s Worlds meant so much to me, it was the realization of a dream come true. Having it and winning it in the US made it even more special. I also remember all of the other members of Team USA. I did not train with them other than just before the Worlds. We came together and we were all very proud to represent the USA in a sport we all loved.

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 25

1987 - Karyn Marshall wins 82.5

› 2017 SUMMER UNIVERSIADE TEXT: ANIKÓ NÉMETH-MÓRA, FISU TECHNICAL DELEGATE PHOTOS: 2017TUOC

2017 SUMMER UNIVERSIADE, TAIPEI, TPE

EXCELLENCE IN MIND, BODY – AND ORGANISATION

‘E

xcellence in Mind and Body’ is the slogan of FISU, the organisation in charge of the biannual Universiades, the students’ Games. Well, just like in Shenzhen 2011, Kazan 2013 when weightlifting featured for the first and second time on the Summer Universiade program, the 2017 edition held in Taipei left no doubt that ‘excellence’ also refers to the standard of organisation...

This August the metropolis in Taiwan welcomed over 8,000 academic student athletes, among those 150 male weightlifters from a record 43 countries and 126 female weightlifting competitors from 39 nations. Both training and competition were served by the Tamkang University Gymnasium that became the comfortable and hospitable home of the sport for six competition days from 20th to 25th August. The conditions offered were truly amazing – in general opinion of top Olympic quality. The Chinese Taipei organisers went beyond the obligatory with attention to every detail, including providing full comfort and excellent catering in both the Universiade Village and all venues. A bustling modern metropolis, the City of Taipei embraced the Universiade and warm hospitality and kindness seemed to characterize everyone, from the Mayor to the people in the streets. In many ways

26 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

the cradle of computer science and state-of-the-art Information Technology, Taiwan offered a stupefying Opening Ceremony combining top-notch technology with old Chinese traditions.

Weightlifting, though just an optional sport on the Universiade program, stole the show more than once and made headlines in the papers – not in the last place thanks to the huge success of the host Chinese Taipei weightlifters.

TPE men’s team turned out to be the best ahead of Kazakhstan and Iran, with Russia and USA following. In women the PRK was irresistible and scored the maximum points in five out of the eight categories. The host nation TPE finished in second place – certainly due to the absence of HSU Shu-Ching and Indonesia brought the third most successful squad to Taipei.

Universiade Records began to shower on the very first day and their abundance did not stop until the women’s 90kg – making the sum of 18. Weightlifting made sensation by delivering one of the altogether 2 world records of the entire University Games: local superstar KUO Hsing-Chun claims this record in 58kg clean and jerk (142kg).

› 2017 SUMMER UNIVERSIADE

PRK SWEEPS FIRST DAY OF TAIPEI UNIVERSIADE

T The 56kg medal podium

he 2017 Taipei Universiade commenced with weightlifting producing the first medal winners of the Games. FISU President Oleg MATSYSIN presented the gold medal to Olympic champion superstar OM Yun Chol who excelled with 5 new Universiade records and a very nearly missed world record at 172kg in clean and jerk in the 56kg category.

OM opened the streak of victories for DPR Korea that continued in the women’s 48kg and the men’s 62kg – all completed on the same day.

In 48kg RI Song Gum was dominant, twice rewriting the Universiade total record and finishing with 193kg ahead of PIRON Beatriz of DOM and Olympic silver medallist AGUSTIANI of Indonesia. No less supremacy was shown in the 62kg by PRK lifter SIN Chol Bom (303kg) and a new Universiade record in clean and jerk of 171kg. The silver went to VAZQUEZ MENDEZ Antonio of Mexico and TPE athlete KAO Chan-Hung took the bronze.

KUO HSING-CHUN PINS NEW WORLD RECORD IN FRONT OF ROARING HOME CROWD

Kuo Hsing-chun and her prize money for breaking world record Taiwanese weightlifter Kuo Hsing-Chun received NT$1 million (US$32,997) from the Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung for breaking a clean and jerk world record. For the Universiade gold medal win, she has been awarded another NT$900,000. Kuo teared up when receiving the NT$1 million award along with her coach Lin Jing-Neng, saying “it was the people of Taiwan who helped me lift 142 kilograms.” Kuo said she views weightlifting as a coach, a parent and a friend through which she continues to search for the meaning of life. A decorated weightlifter, Kuo has previously donated her winnings to her former High School in Taitung County and once bought an ambulance vehicle for Taitung Hospital.

She chose to donate an ambulance after a weightlifting injury in 2014 left her wheelchair-bound for a month. Kuo said the accident allowed her to better understand how people feel when waiting for an ambulance.

Growing up in a low-income neighbourhood, she is now giving back to her community and will once again be donating her prize from this most recent win to help children in need, Kuo said. She cites her coach as the one who has taught her the importance of being thankful and continues to express her gratitude by giving back to the local community.

W

eightlifting served the highlight of Day 2 at the Universiade with home favourite KUO HsingChun not only shattering the Universiade record tree but also pleasing the crowd with a sensational new world record clean and jerk of 142kg in the 58kg category. She finished with a 249kg total beating challengers by a huge margin from THA – none less than SRISURAT Sukanya, 2016 Rio Olympic Champion(!) by 28kg – and PRK. Her outstanding performance was also a consolation to the host nation for the nonappearance of Olympic champion HSU Shu-Ching in 53kg (due to a recent injury).

The chance thus opened was best utilized

by PRK lifter RI Su Yon who triumphed with 208kg, just one kilo over silver medallist LIU Feng from China.

The men competed in 69kg where Kazakhstan’s LINDER Albert eventually defeated North-Korean KIM Myong Hyok by 2kgs in total. Three competitors produced a series of new Universiade records in this category, as well.

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 27

Kazakhstan winning 69kg with LINDER Albert

RI Song

OM Yun Chol, PRK supreme in 56kg

KAZAKHSTAN AND PRK HIT FURTHER GOLD MEDALS

I

n the men’s 77kg Kazakhstan’s KAZOV Aidar, after having been outsnatched by 5kg by Russian IARKIN Viacheslav, made a big advance in the clean and jerk; so big in fact that in the end he managed to beat his opponent with 331kg against the latter’s 330kg.

Canada rejoiced with BELLEMARRE Alex’s bronze medal.

Women’s 63kg: PRK expectations were once again met in this category where RIM Un Sim, younger sister of Olympic champion RIM Yong Sim, towered above the field with 236kg. The second place went to world championship silver medallist TURIEVA Tima of Russia. Two Universiade records fell again, one in snatch (106kg) and one in total (236kg).

An encore for KAZ in 77kg by KAZOV Aidar

The top three in 94kg

ANOTHER LOCAL GIRL SNAPS GOLD MEDAL FROM KAZAKH FAVOURITE

I

n the women’s 69kg GORICHEVA Karina of Kazakhstan, Olympic bronze medallist of Rio in 63kg was in the line-up and until the last lift she was hopeful to win. But HUNG Wan-Ting TPE, former Universiade runner-up, in an amazing effort worked off 7kg of disadvantage from the snatch and triumphed with 227kg on the Kazakh’s 226kg. JONG Chun Hui, PRK took the bronze.

In a joint press conference with 58kg teammate star KUO Hsing-Chun, both Chinese Taipei Universiade champions, CHANG Chao-Kuo, Honorary Vice President of IWF, and YANG Po-Lien, CTWA President expressed their pleasure and pride over the splendid victories of their fledglings on home soil at the largest sporting event Taiwan has ever held.

28 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

Silver for LIU Feng, CHN in 53kg

The podium

ULANOV WINS AND TAKES COURAGEOUS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

g Gum opened the gold medal bag for PRK in 48kg

I

n the men’s 85kg category KARAPETIAN Andranik, the Armenian who had suffered an elbow dislocation at the Rio Olympics, pulled off with a splendid 170kg snatch, 5 kilos more than the next best, ULANOV Denis of KAZ. In the second act, however, ULANOV became superior and secured the win with 200kg which he made in a correction. With the Universiade gold medal safely in his pocket, ULANOV surprised by asking for a 221kg world record weight in his third attempt. Eventually, this weight is yet to be mastered by the Kazakh, but the effort was certainly commendable. The bronze went to JANG Yeonhak from Korea.

in 75kg

SURPRISE IN MEN’S 94KG – NO SURPRISE IN WOMEN’S 75KG

A

very close race was in sight in the 94kg where all 11 lifters in Group A represented a balanced high standard. Accordingly, the competition was full of unexpected turns and surprises, whereby top favourite, 85kg world champion OKULOV Artem (RUS) soon left the scene with a lowly result and having taken only 3 attempts in all, due to a 2-weeks old injury. Two Lithuanian competitors, DIDZBALIS Aurimas (Olympic bronze) and STANULIS Zygimantas duelled for the top positions but these were eventually captured by the surprise man of the category, KLIMONOV Egor of Russia, confidently beating Kazakhstan’s SYBAY Rustem by one kilo on total (383kg – 382kg). In third place another unexpected athlete: Rio 4th SUMPRADIT Sarat of Thailand.

In contrast to the men’s 94kg, the ladies’ 75kg category revealed significant differences between the contenders. The biggest gap could be noted between Olympic champion from PRK, RIM Jong Sim and the rest of the field. RIM did not disappoint and started both movements when all the others had done their jobs. In snatch, RIM finished with 120kg, three kilos short of the Universiade record, and in the jerk she left no doubt about her dominance, totalling a comfortable 260kg, 20 kilos more than the next best. Behind her, YAO Chi-Ling of TPE was fighting hard to please the spectators but in the end had to settle for bronze, ceding the silver to NAUMAVA Darya of Belarus.

KUO Hsing-Chun making history in 58kg

A surprise present for the host: gold medal in 69kg by HUNG Wan-Ting

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 29

MARTIROSYAN DOMINATES THE 105KG – DEKHA THE 90KG

A MARTIROSYAN Simon of Armenia superb in 105kg

rmenia’s still rising star, this year’s Junior world champion (+105kg) and 2016 Rio Olympic second MARTIROSYAN Simon (just 20 years old!) overpowered the field.

Although he failed twice with a new Universiade record of 192kg, the initial 180kg plus his only valid clean and jerk of 221kg, making 401kg in total were more than enough to capture the gold medal ahead of Russian BOCHKOV Rodion, who finished with 390kg. MARTIROSYAN tried for a new snatch Universiade record of 192kg – not successful – before attempting to slam two records at a time with 233kg in clean and jerk – also missed, but followed with excitement and expectation from the crowd. After losing the 2017 European Championships on a failed clean and jerk, Ukraine’s DEKHA Iryna decided to try her luck in the new 90kg category. With a bodyweight registered at 78.91kg at this Universiade she is just “growing into” the category, yet she took the gold medal dominating in both parts of the competition.

Silver medal for MSTIEVA Diana, Russia and the host country clinched the bronze thanks to LO Ying-Yuan.

TPE CHEN Shih-Chieh wanted to pro home ground in +105kg: silver meda

MINASYAN AND KIM WRAP UP SPLENDID WEIGHTLIFTING EVENTS IN DUE FASHION

T

o win the +105kg looked like a piece of cake for MINASYAN Gor, ARM, Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist. However, as it often happens in sport, despite a 200kg snatch and a last-to-open 230kg, he was almost taken by surprise by local star, former Asian champion CHEN Shi-Chieh, who made it a matter of personal prestige to beat the Armenian leaving him two attempts for the required 241kg clean and jerk. In the end, the expected pattern did work and MINASYAN remained in first position while – unusually for Taipei 2017 – no Universiade records were shattered.

The women’s last category, the new +90kg also featured one competitor standing out from the field: Rio Olympics silver medallist (+75kg) KIM Kuk Hyang from PRK. She also delivered what was expected from her and wrapped up the women’s competitions with an impressive 132kg in snatch and 160-167kg, both good and 170kg just missed = 299kg in total. Behind the North-Korean, several contenders were fighting for the medal positions. Among them, former Universiade second and World University champion from Thailand, PULSABSAKUL Chitchanok was most successful with her 270kg, taking silver. Great Britain’s BROWN Mercy was happy to pick up the bronze. Universiade records, once set by the mighty KASHIRINA, were not in danger in this category.

MINASYAN Gor, ARM secured the last title for men

PULSABSAKUL Chitchanok, THA this time only silver medallist 30 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

› 2017 SUMMER UNIVERSIADE

IWF THANKS TAIPEI 2017 SU ORGANISERS

ove his worth on al

O

n the stage of the 2017 Taipei Universiade, on behalf of the International Weightlifting Federation its 1st Vice President Maj. Gen. Intarat YODBANGTOEY presented a diploma of appreciation to FISU President Oleg MATYTSIN for the successful and close cooperation between both organisations since 2008.

“Through all 6 days of exciting competitions the Organising Committee of the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade did an excellent job, for which they deserve our highest recognition and gratitude,” – said Dr. Michael IRANI, IWF Executive Board Member, who also served as Doctor on Duty during the weightlifting competitions. “Us, Technical Officials, were treated with extraordinary and warm hospitality,” – he added. He, alongside Matyas LENCSER, IWF Technical Delegate and Aniko NEMETH-MORA, FISU Technical Delegate presented a diploma of appreciation on behalf of the IWF to the huge group of 2017TUOC people and wonderful volunteers who made weightlifting one of the most successful sports at the Taipei 2017 Universiade.

IWF thanked the Organising Committee and FISU

MEN

WOMEN

56KG

48KG

1

OM YUN CHOL

18.11.1991

PRK 55.89

129 165 294

1

RI SONG GUM

17.10.1997

PRK

47.84

86 107 193

2

GARCIA BRITO L. ALBERTO

19.04.1995

DOM 55.97

119 144 263

2

PIRON C. B. ELIZABETH

27.02.1995

DOM

47.98

85 103 188

3

CHONTEY ARLI

01.07.1992

KAZ 55.90

115 143 258

3

AGUSTIANI SRI WAHYUNI

13.08.1994

INA

47.96

77 100 177

62KG

53KG

1

SIN CHOL BOM

15.06.1990

PRK 61.93

132 171 303

1

RI SU YON

11.01.1996

PRK

52.43

90 118 208

2

VAZQUEZ MENDEZ ANTONIO 12.08.1993

MEX 61.94

125 165 290

2

LIU FENG

23.06.1995

CHN

52.49

90 117 207

3

KAO CHAN-HUNG

TPE 61.75

131 158 289

3

KAEWKHONG SUPATTRA

11.03.1996

THA

52.44

86 111 197

03.10.1993

69KG

58KG

1

LINDER ALBERT

13.01.1996

KAZ 68.95

148 185 333

1

KUO HSING-CHUN

26.11.1993

TPE

57.83 107 142 249

2

KIM MYONG HYOK

03.12.1990

PRK 68.98

153 178 331

2

SRISURAT SUKANYA

03.05.1995

THA

57.64 100 121 221

3

MIYAMOTO MASANORI

03.02.1997

JPN 68.96

145 179 324

3

KIM CHUNG SIM

28.09.1995

PRK

57.88

1

KAZOV AIDAR

21.02.1995

KAZ 76.91

145 186 331

RIM UN SIM

05.07.1996

PRK

62.79 106 130 236

2

IARKIN VIACHESLAV

19.11.1997

RUS 75.79

150 180 330

2

TURIEVA TIMA

22.06.1992

RUS

62.41 102 124 226

3

BELLEMARRE ALEX

22.06.1998

CAN 76.51

147 169 316

3

CHIANG NIEN-HSIN

29.04.1997

TPE

60.78

1

ULANOV DENIS

28.10.1993

KAZ 84.82

165 200 365

HUNG WAN-TING

21.06.1990

TPE

68.65 101 126 227

2

KARAPETYAN ANDRANIK

15.12.1995

ARM 83.64

170 194 364

2

GORICHEVA KARINA

08.04.1993

KAZ

67.71 108 118 226

3

JANG YEONHAK

14.02.1997

KOR 83.93

163 191 354

3

JONG CHUN HUI

04.03.1998

PRK

67.32

1

KLIMONOV EGOR

24.08.1992

RUS 93.84

168 215 383

RIM JONG SIM

05.02.1993

PRK

74.72 115 145 260

2

SYBAY RUSTEM

25.06.1993

KAZ 93.87

170 212 382

2

NAUMAVA DARYA

26.08.1995

BLR

74.96 105 135 240

3

SUMPRADIT SARAT

17.04.1994

THA 93.33

167 214 381

3

YAO CHI-LING

31.03.1993

TPE

74.72 105 131 236

77KG

90 127 217

63KG

85KG

1

97 126 223

69KG

94KG

1

97 121 218

75KG 1

90KG

105KG

1

MARTIROSYAN SIMON

17.02.1997

ARM 104.90 180 221 401

1

DEKHA IRYNA

14.05.1996

UKR

78.91 111 135 246

2

BOCHKOV RODION

27.09.1993

RUS 104.25 180 210 390

2

MSTIEVA DIANA

25.11.1994

RUS

89.21 110 132 242

3

GHADAMI KIA

26.01.1991

IRI

3

LO YING-YUAN

07.05.1996

TPE

88.73 105 130 235

20.04.1993

PRK

99.51 132 167 299

104.06 170 211 381

+105KG

+90KG

1

MINASYAN GOR

25.10.1994

ARM 138.84 200 230 430

1

KIM KUK HYANG

2

CHEN SHIH-CHIEH

27.11.1989

TPE 151.63 190 225 415

2

WEIGHTLIFTING / 31 PULSABSAKUL CHITCHANOK WORLD 04.11.1993 THA 122.91 120 150 270

3

HWANG WOOMAN

12.07.1995

KOR 130.67 183 216 399

3

BROWN MERCY OPEYEMI

20.06.1996

GBR

95.53

98 136 234

› 5TH ASIAN INDOOR AND MARTIAL ARTS GAMES TEXT: ATTILA ÁDÁMFI

WEIGHTLIFTING MAKES AMAZING DEBUT AT AIMAG

T

he event organized in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan was historic for two reasons. First of all, this was the first time weightlifting was on the program of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, being one of the few sports with Olympic disciplines and events. In the end the organisers welcomed the impressive field of 188 athletes from 38 countries.

Secondly, this was the first edition of the Games where athletes from Oceania were also invited to participate in all 21 sports, making the participating NOCs’ number as high as 65 (55 athletes representing 13 countries from Oceania in weightlifting).

A Magnificent Opening Ceremony being the biggest event

in Turkmenistan’s history launched the Ashgabat 2017 Games in the packed Ashgabat Olympic Stadium.Weightlifting competitions and training were held in the Ashgabat Olympic Complex, a recently completed “sport city” that hosted the majority of the sports. Of the standard of staging weightlifting – and fellow sports – we can only speak in the language of superlatives. The Athletes Village (and the Satellite Village hosting Technical Officials) were just a few minutes’ walk away – but connected with a monorail as well for even more convenience.The weightlifting venue was described “simply gorgeous, one of the best, if not the best” by a veteran Australian coach, where seats were filled with enthusiastic crowd in almost all sessions cheering for local athletes.

The IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan, OCA President Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Turkmenistan Weightlifting Federation President Berdyniyaz Myatiev presenting in the medal ceremony

32 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

› 5TH ASIAN INDOOR AND MARTIAL ARTS GAMES

W

48KG

eightlifting was one of the highlights of 1 XIAO HUIYING the whole Games for many reasons: 2 DZHUMABAYEVA YULDUZ REJEPOV Rejepbay in the men’s 3 VUONG THI HUYEN 77kg category delivered the hosts’ only gold medal in an Olympic event, and 53KG Turkmenistan gave proof of its top-standard weightlifting 1 LIAO QIUYUN sport with additional 3 silver and 2 bronze medals.

2 DIAZ HIDILYN CIKAMATANA Eileen representing Fiji in the women’s 90kg won the only gold medal for Oceania considering all 3 SHERMETOVA KRISTINA sports.

58KG Last but not least, the only world record in any sport at the Games was achieved by MORADI Sohrab from I. R. 1 LUO XIAOMIN Iran in the men’s 94kg. MORADI making 413kg in the total 2 NABIEVA MUATTAR surpassed Akakios Kakhiasvilis’ 18-year old record!

3 JAGADDHITA ACCHEDYA

30.11.-0001 CHN 47.88

80 110 190

22.04.1998 TKM 47.99

82 107 189

22.06.1992

VIE 47.72

85 101 186

13.07.1995 CHN 52.69

93 115 208

20.02.1991 PHI 52.85

90 114 204

25.05.1993 TKM 52.68

89 107 196

14.11.1999 CHN 57.82 100 122 222 02.06.1996 UZB 57.38

94 118 212

12.05.1997 INA 57.41

91 113 204

Gold medal for Oceania: CIKAMATANA Eileen, FIJ

63KG 1 YUAN WANGJIAN

27.09.1992 CHN 62.72 103 120 223

2 SASSER M. LANGTOR

25.12.1996 MHL 62.03

90 120 210

3 AN SISUNG

26.12.1997 KOR 62.74

94 114 208

69KG

90KG

1 SADYKOVA ASSEM

02.08.1993 KAZ 65.79

96 126 222

81.43

111 142 253

2 VAIVAI APOLONIA

05.02.1991 FIJ 68.60 105 116 221

2 TOYCHYYEVA AYSOLTAN

29.05.1996 TKM 78.31

97 118 215

3 MACROHON KRISTEL

02.09.1996 PHI 68.62

3 DAVRONOVA DOLERA

03.11.2001 UZB 84.64

93 117 210

88 121 209

1 CIKAMATANA EI. F. MARIA 18.09.1999 FIJ

+90KG

75KG 1 MUNKHJANTSAN ANKHTSETSEG 25.12.1997 MGL 74.77 105 130 235

1 JIA WEIPENG

08.08.1995 CHN 112.13 120 150 270

2 OTAKUZIYEVA OMADOY

04.04.1996 UZB 74.02 101 130 231

2 ABORNEVA ALEXANDRA

30.10.1986 KAZ 113.30 105 143 248

3 KAMIYA AYUMI

28.03.1992 JPN 74.42 105 119 224

3 SIPAIA IUNIARRA

25.06.1993 SAM 125.01 106 135 241

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 33

› 5TH ASIAN INDOOR AND MARTIAL ARTS GAMES 56KG 1 THACH KIM TUAN

15.01.1994 VIE 55.75 131 151 282

2 TRAN LE QUOC TOAN

05.04.1989 VIE 55.80 124 152 276

3 JIA XIONGHUI

20.01.1998 CHN 55.98 128 141 269

62KG 1 TRINH VAN VINH

17.12.1995 VIE 61.77 136 166 302

2 LEI HAITAO

10.01.1989 CHN 61.98 131 157 288

3 SAHETMYRADOV MERETGULY

26.03.1988 TKM 61.95 132 155 287

69KG 1 DENG SHIWEI

10.11.1990 CHN 68.91 148 179 327

2 YOKUBOV DOSTON

05.04.1995 UZB 68.71 139 177 316

3 ALHUMAYD M. MOHAMMED S 05.09.1993 KSA 68.88 133 174 307

77KG 1 REJEPOV REJEPBAY

23.02.1992 TKM 76.71 162 191 353

2 KHUDAYBERGANOV SHAKHZOD 19.04.1997 UZB 76.88 155 187 342 3 AL-HUSSEIN A. F. GHULAM 15.08.1990 IRQ 76.19 146 177 323

85KG 1 AL-JUMAILI SAFAA

01.01.1990 IRQ 84.60 161 204 365

2 ALIMOV ULUGBEK

06.04.1989 UZB 84.62 164 200 364

3 MIRI ALI

01.08.1995 IRI 84.71 160 201 361

This lift making a new world record total of 413kg: MORADI Sohrab, IRI

Local success in 77kg: REJEPOV Rejepbay, TKM

Gold tastes good – what about a bite in Anaheim?

94KG

105KG

1 MORADI SOHRAB

22.09.1988 IRI 93.95 185 228 413

1 EFREMOV IVAN

09.03.1986 UZB 104.79 190 221 411

2 SOBIROV FARKHODBEK

10.09.1997 UZB 94.00 181 210 391

2 HASHEMI ALI

01.11.1991 IRI 104.00 181 220 401

3 LIU HAO

20.07.1989 CHN 93.38 176 211 387

3 ALAIFURI SALWAN

26.09.1991 IRQ 104.38 176 219 395

34 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

Spectacular Opening Ceremony in Ashgabat

+105KG 1 DJANGABAEV RUSTAM

25.08.1993

UZB

148.10

199

243 442

2 TOYCHYYEV HOJAMUHAMMET

16.01.1992

TKM

144.46

192

239 431

3 TEYMOURI HOMAYOUN

11.08.1994

IRI

138.49

195

235 430

Good-bye and see you again in Ashgabat!

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 35

› 2017 AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, VACOAS, MRI TEXT: KORNÉL JANCSÓ

2017 AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, VACOAS, MRI

EGYPT: NOTHING LESS THAN GOLD

E

gypt’s weightlifters made a smashing performance at this year’s annual African Championships hosted by beautiful Mauritius in July.

In their respective bodyweight categories, competitors of the North-African country swept the floor clean ceding not one gold medal to any other rival nation.

This was the 27th edition of the African Continent’s Championships for men, and the ladies vied for the prestigious title of African champion for the 16th time.

The island nation’s second biggest city, Vacoas-Phenix served as a backdrop for the challenge, a place known to the French as Villes Jumelles and the British also call Twin Cities – for a good reason. This town today counting 110 thousand inhabitants was born in 1963 through a fusion of Vacoas and Phenix and officially became one in 1968. The local football team plays in the Premier League but in July the focus turned on weightlifting for a week when the continent’s best from 14 countries gathered there.

Ten nations had medal-winning representatives but – as mentioned above – Egypt was superior. Though represented only by five lifters in Mauritius, each of those five pocketed all the gold medals in their respective categories, putting Egypt on top of the medal tally. Second best in terms of medals was another leading African weightlifting nation, Tunisia (13 gold, 12 silver, 6 bronze), followed by Algeria (6, 14, 9). The host country, Mauritius finished in fourth position (3, 12, 9), fifth was Madagascar (3, 6, 4) and the sixth place was taken by South Africa and Seychelles in a tie, with their three gold and three bronze medals, respectively.

The hosts winning with RANAIVOSOA Marie (48kg) opened the Championships

58KG

48KG 1 RANAIVOSOA M. H. ROILYA

14.11.1990 MRI 47.73

76 95 171

1 TALJAARD JOHANNI

2 RANDAFIARISON ROSINA

29.12.1999 MAD 44.34

60 70 130

2 LENT KETTY

25.01.2001 MRI 57.33

70

87 157

3 RANDRIANANDRASANA S. N T

22.10.1998 MAD 57.57

65

82 147

53KG

19.08.1984 RSA 57.32

72

93 165

63KG

1 LANDOULSI NOUHA

05.05.1998 TUN 52.58

88 106 194

1 AGRICOLE C. CIANA

18.07.1988 SEY 62.28

86 107 193

2 LAGHOUATI F. ZOHRA

27.02.1999 ALG 51.88

66

78 144

2 BELKHIR GHOFRANE

11.08.2001 TUN 61.40

85 106 191

3 ALINOROSOA SA. A. ABDALLAH 09.06.1993 MAD 52.42

60

76 136

3 LAABIDI YOSRA

02.08.1998 TUN 61.58

76 105 181

36 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

› 2017 AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, VACOAS, MRI

L

ibya collected two gold medals, while Morocco left the 2017 African Championships with three silver and six bronze medals, and 10th-placed Ghana earned three bronze medals.

Given the fact that the last two women’s categories celebrated their African debut, the 90kg saw a historic success by BARAKAT Dina Ahmed Elsayed from Egypt. Equally, the first ever +90kg African champion title went to HARIDY Shaimaa Ahmed Khalaf, another Egyptian, who outlifted the silver medallist by 54(!)kg.

The Olympic fourth of 2016 Rio de Janeiro in +75kg commented on her triumph: “I am very proud of the three gold medals that I won at the African Championships.

But I would be even happier if I had been able to make a record in the new category.”

By the way, each of the category winners scored triple crowns in their respective competitions. Their national variety is indeed colourful. Mauritius rejoiced over the victory of RANAIVOSOA Marie Hanitra in the opening category, followed by Tunisian LANDOULSI Nouha in 53kg. The latter’s dominance was overwhelming: she totalled round 50 kilos over the next best, promising superb form for the year’s highlight to come later, in November. South Africa triumphed next with TALJAARD Johanni in 58kg, and in the 63kg the Seychelles excelled with AGRICOLE Clementina Ciana. Tunisian HASSINE Ghada won the 69kg and Algerian HAMMADI Maghnia the 75kg contests.

Historic gold medal in the new +90kg by HARIDY Shaimaa, EGY

BEN HNIA Karem, TUN, 69kg defended his title held since 2016

69KG

90KG

1 HASSINE GHADA

17.05.1993 TUN 68.80

92 115 207

1 BARAKAT D. A. ELSAYED

20.05.1989 EGY 75.78

2 LABONNE EMANUELLA

04.09.1985 MRI 67.91

91 100 191

2 OUASS SAMIRA

22.04.1992 MAR 79.60

72

98 170

3 CHERARA IKRAM

06.06.1998 ALG 66.02

70

3 IRAM WENDY

08.03.2002 MRI 85.46

40

55

95 165

75KG

95 120 215

95

+90KG

1 HAMMADI MAGHNIA

22.02.2000 ALG 69.69

74

95 169

1 HARIDY S. A. KHALAF

01.01.1991 EGY 126.53 117 158 275

2 SUNEE ALISON

20.07.1999 MRI 69.49

71

80 151

2 JLASSI MARWA

25.09.1991 TUN 126.12

96 125 221

3 LOZAIQUE BRENDA

05.04.1978 SEY 70.33

55

70 125

3 VALAYDON SHALINEE

13.04.1986 MRI 113.89

97 116 213

62KG

56KG 1 BOUHIJBHA AMINE

28.02.1996 TUN 55.92 110 134 244

1 ANDRIATSITOHAINA T. ALAIN 26.02.1995 MAD 61.94 122 150 272

2 ANDRIANTSITOHAINA E. HERMAN 21.07.1991 MAD 55.53 101 133 234

2 KRAYDI FAOUZI

06.04.1997 TUN 61.70 121 146 267

3 FENI RIAD

3 CORET MARC JONATHAN

13.04.1989 MRI 61.50 107 135 242

06.07.1996 ALG 56.00

91 115 206

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 37

› 2017 AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, VACOAS, MRI

A

mong the men all the three winning Egyptians were able to make the hat trick.

First, last year’s Olympic bronze medallist MAHMOUD Mohamed Ihab Youssef Ahmed pocketed all the available awards in the 85kg at Vacoas. Then, in 94kg, Rio fifth ABDALLA Ragab Abdelhay Saad was triumphant; finally their teammate MOHAMED Ahmed Mohamed Abdelaziz could mount the podium three times to pick up his three gold medals in the plus 105kg.

Of the next most successful African nation, Tunisia, two champions were able to sweep the field clean: first a defending African champion, ABOUHIJBHA Amine took the three honours of the snatch, clean and jerk and total in the 56kg, followed by the country’s most renowned weightlifter, 2016 champion and 2014 Junior world champion BEN HNIA Karem accepting three gold medals in the 69kg category.

Two further lifters were superior in the same way in their respective classes: ANDRIATSITOHAINA Tojonirina Alain of Madagascar in 62kg and TOUAIRI Aymen of Algeria in the 105kg.

MAHMOUD Mohamed Ihab of Egypt triumphed

69KG 1 BEN HNIA KAREM

13.11.1994 TUN 68.75 147 180 327

2 SARIAK NAFAA

29.11.1994 ALG 68.68 130 161 291

3 SHUSHU OTSILE GREG

20.08.1980 RSA 68.51 117 150 267

77KG 1 SHREDI ELHANI

25.09.1986 LBA 76.70 146 173 319

2 BAHLOUL RAMI

29.07.1991 TUN 76.14 142 174 316

3 CHOUKAL SMAIL

21.04.1995 ALG 76.40 138 157 295

85KG 1 MAHMOUD M. I. Y. AHMED

21.11.1989 EGY 79.97 158 190 348

2 TLILI WAJIH

07.03.1999 TUN 84.44 146 167 313

3 MESSAOUDI AMEUR

17.01.1996 ALG 83.31 140 170 310

94KG 1 ABDALLA RAGAB A. S. A.

04.03.1991 EGY 93.74 167 195 362

2 MESSAOUI SADDAM

24.07.1991 ALG 92.94 150 180 330

3 MOUM HICHAM

18.08.1998 MAR 89.78 141 174 315

105KG Rio 5th ABDALLAH Ragab, EGY was superior in 94kg

1 TOUAIRI AYMEN

11.09.1998 ALG 103.43 150 180 330

2 FETHI MOHAMMED

17.10.1992 ALG 99.80 141 175 316

3 BERTALI ZAKARIA

07.10.1985 MAR 98.17 130 150 280

+105KG

38 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

1 MOHAMED A. M. ABDELAZIZ

27.04.1988 EGY 143.36 178 235 413

2 JOORON ALVIN

23.06.1986 MRI 111.10 92 135 227

MOHAMED Ahmed wound up the Egyptian victories in +105kg

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 39

› 2017 PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, MIAMI, USA TEXT: ATTILA ÁDÁMFI

2017 PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS MIAMI, USA

HOSTING TOP-NOTCH EVENTS BECOMES ROUTINE FOR USA WEIGHTLIFTING

T

he USA Weightlifting Federation has become a leading nation in organizing international events, having hosted the 2015 World Championships in Houston, organizing both the 2017 World Championships and the 2019 Youth World Championships in Anaheim. Therefore, to carry out the 2017 Pan American Championships in Miami was an easy task for such a professional team.

It was the first time for the Miccosukee Resort, owned by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and known for

its gaming, bingo and poker, to welcome a weightlifting event.

124 men from 21 Member Federations and 115 women from 18 countries participated in the 2017 edition of the Pan American Championships. In total 239 athletes representing 23 nations competed in the 16 bodyweight categories contested for the first time in the history of the continent.

The athletes’ performance was remarkable, matching the standard of the organization by the US.

The 75kg podium

J

ust to mention a few highlights: PEREZ Mercedes from COL won her seventh straight Pan American title when she took the women’s 63kg crown and said she would be back next year, when she will be 30, for an eighth.

LOPEZ Yeison also from Colombia, who has won all nine international competitions in which he has taken part, broke his own junior and senior Pan American snatch records with 162kg in taking the men’s 77kg title.

40 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

Venezuelan teenager VALLENILLA Keydomar set a junior clean and jerk record with 195kg in men’s 85kg on his way to third place.

Another junior record breaker was Ecuador’s DAJOMES Neisi, who swept all three golds in the women’s 75kg and bettered the snatch record with 110kg.

Actually, the Colombian star MOSQUERA LOZANO Luis Javier’s hands down victory in the men’s 69kg may even be regarded commonplace.

› 2017 PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

48KG 1 SEGURA SEGURA ANA IRIS 26.07.1991 COL 48.00 77 100 177 2 VALENCIA H. CAROLINA

08.02.1985 MEX 47.62 75 98 173

3 RITCHEY ALYSSA LYNN

14.04.1989 USA 48.00 77 95 172

53KG 1 DOS REIS SANTOS ROSANE 20.06.1987 BRA 52.36 88 106 194 2 HOGAN CAITLIN LEIGH

22.05.1988 USA 52.86 86 107 193

3 PIRON C. BEATRIZ ELIZABETH

27.02.1995 DOM 49.46 85 106 19

58KG 1 ESCOBAR G. M. ALEXANDRA 17.07.1980 ECU 57.75 94 117 211

DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia, ECU dominated with a junior snatch record of 110kg

2 LOBON V. MARIA CAMILA

30.09.1995 COL 57.76 93 117 210

3 DOMINGUEZ L. M. PATRICIA

05.03.1988 MEX 57.99 94 115 209

63KG 1 PEREZ T. M. ISABEL 2 SILGADO A. R. ANDREA

30.06.1995 COL 62.85 93 125 218

3 CHARRON MAUDE G

28.04.1993 CAN 62.49 93 122 215

AYOVI CABEZAS Lisseth, ECU finished in fourth position

ROBLES Sarah retained the 1st ever +90kg Pan American title for the USA

69KG

07.08.1987 COL 62.81 97 124 221

90KG

1 SOLIS A. LEIDY YESSENIA 17.02.1990 COL 68.83 107 134 241

1 VALDES PARIS MARIA F.

17.03.1992

2 ROGERS MARTHA ANN

23.08.1995 USA 68.56 100 133 233

2 SANTANA P. C. DOMINGA

20.04.1995 DOM 84.95 113 139 252

3 TORRES W. ANACARMEN

27.11.1995 MEX 67.05

3 NIEVE A. O. SELEDINA

25.11.1977 ECU 88.64 111 132 243

97 126 223

75KG 1 DAJOMES B. N. PATRICIA

CHI 87.96 111 142 253

+90KG 1 ROBLES S. ELIZABETH

01.08.1988 USA 145.59 120 155 275

2 CHIRINOS L. D. ARACELIS 04.10.1991 VEN 74.71 101 129 230

12.05.1998 ECU 74.67 110 131 241

2 SALADIN T. V. ESTELA

21.05.1992 DOM 128.39 119 146 265

3 FUENTES ZAVALA AREMI

3 MASCORRO OSUNA T. G.

24.11.1988 MEX 108.18 118 142 260

23.05.1993 MEX 74.86 101 127 228

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 41

› 2017 PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, MIAMI, USA

T

he United States won six gold medals on the last competition day, taking their overall tally to 10, five each for men and women. The host nation collected a total of 24 medals, 10 less than Colombia, who topped the men’s, women’s and combined medals tables and won 21 golds.

Altogether eleven nations won medals, eight of them gold medals.

The enthusiastic crown had to miss C.J. CUMMINGS, the 17 year old American, who – understandably – focuses on the World Championships in Anaheim.

USA Weightlifting may have used the Pan American Championships as a “warm-up” because as soon as the Championships had been successfully concluded, the same venue was quickly transformed into hosting the American Open, where 782 lifters(!), aged from 13 to 74, competed over 3 days.

56KG 1 BERNA G. CARLOS ANDRES 21.01.1990 COL 56.00 119 151 270 2 GARCIA B. LUIS ALBERTO

19.04.1995 DOM 55.77 118 150 268

3 FERRUZOLA A. R. PATRICIO 16.10.1997 ECU 55.99 108 135 243

62KG 1 VAZQUEZ MENDEZ ANTONIO 12.08.1993 MEX 61.95 121 161 282 2 HIGUITA B. LUIS FERNANDO 10.01.1997 COL 61.82 123 158 281 3 LOPEZ PENA R. SHERLOCK

21.10.1992 VEN 61.65 120 154 274

69KG 1 MOSQUERA L. LUIS JAVIER 27.03.1995 COL 68.82 145 180 325 2 MAYORA P. JULIO RUBEN

02.09.1996 VEN 68.65 143 172 315

3 MUNOZ M. J. ANTONIO

10.11.1995 MEX 68.89 137 171 308

77KG 1 LOPEZ LOPEZ YEISON

09.01.1999 COL 76.94 162 190 352

2 BIANCO III ANGELO

24.06.1993 USA 76.72 145 188 333

3 RODALLEGAS C. B. SANTIAGO 15.11.1997 COL 76.97 152 179 331

85KG 1 HERNANDEZ P. YOELMIS

25.04.1986 CUB 83.45 158 203 361

2 MORENO T. J. ESNEIDER

02.10.1995 COL 84.84 160 200 360

3 VALLENILLA S. K. GIOVANNI 08.10.1999 VEN 84.36 156 195 351

94KG

Colombia was again the leading Pan Am nation to which LOPEZ LOPEZ Yeison also contributed

1 BURNS COLIN THOMAS

26.09.1983 USA 93.92 169 197 366

2 GREGORIO M. M. TULIO

03.11.1991 BRA 93.49 166 195 361

3 QUINONES B. V. MANUEL

03.01.1992 CUB 92.80 166 191 357

105KG 1 ARROYO V. JORGE DAVID

23.09.1991 ECU 104.30 182 200 382

2 KITTS WESLEY BRIAN

22.05.1990 USA 104.63 175 200 375

3 COLUMBIE JUAN

24.01.1995 CUB 102.71 167 206 373

+105KG

VALLENILLA Keydomar is Venezuela’s No.1 hopeful

42 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

1 WILKES CAINE MORGAN

10.07.1987 USA 149.96 175 219 394

2 SALAS M. F. FABRICIO

10.02.1988 ECU 165.45 178 215 393

3 GREGORIO M. M. FILIPE

05.07.1993 BRA 113.39 176 202 378

The medallists of 77kg with the fabulous youngster LOPEZ LOPEZ Yeison, COL winning by 19kg

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 43

› 2017 EUROPEAN MASTERS & OPEN INTERNATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP TEXT: DENISE OFFERMANN, MÁTYÁS LENCSÉR

2017 EUROPEAN MASTERS & OPEN INTERNATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP HALMSTAD, SWE ELEIKO MAKES NEW HEADQUARTERS OPENING A TRUE WEIGHTLIFTING FESTIVAL

H

almstad, a city of 66,000 inhabitants on the South-West coast of Sweden, has already entered its name into the Golden Book of Weightlifting by being the place where the famous ELEIKO Barbells are made – in fact for several generations. Therefore, no wonder that the championship in Halmstad at the brand-new ELEIKO Headquarters attracted an entry of 499 Masters athletes from 45 European and other nations of the world. Erik Blomberg, CEO, the ‘ELEIKO Son” and Johan Erling, former ELEIKO Sales Manager, the actual organizer behind this event, openheartedly welcomed all Masters. successful in one category.

August turned out to be the perfect month and so many Masters lifters arrived with a huge number of supporting families and friends to the newly-built ELEIKO Headquarters. ELEIKO were also kind enough to organise daily tours to the factory to enable many Masters to see

44 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

exactly how their bars and barbells are manufactured.

The Mayor of Halmstad showed great interest and gave his support throughout the championship week. As for the interest, the number of women participants has been rising yearly and even more has their standard of lifting been improving. Dr. Mark Lavallee, now IWF Medical Committee Member, was also present with his three medical assistants to ensure that any medical need was met and attended to. ELEIKO thus inaugurated fantastic new headquarters open to high quality training, seminars, competition events of any kind. The weather was stable and all Masters enjoyed their stay in the beautiful city of Halmstad and its nearby beaches.

On this occasion the European Masters Weightlifting Committee and also the IWF would like to thank the Company for providing this dream opportunity of lifting the ELEIKO barbell in its home town. All Masters worldwide look forward to a return visit in the future.

› 2017 EUROPEAN MASTERS & OPEN INTERNATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 45

› DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION TEXT: TÍMEA HORVÁTH

DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION: THIS COUPLE WALKS HAND IN HAND

I

t is of course useful to donate weightlifting equipment, barbells, platforms, etc. but you must also learn how to use them. On the other hand, education without the chance of putting the curriculum into practice leads to no success. Therefore, these two main branches of the Program must walk hand in hand.

The International Weightlifting Federation has a very diverse Development Program and spends a lot of money on development.

First of all the IWF provides significant support to the Continental Federations (CFs), even though it is not the IWF’s duty to ensure the financial resources for the operation of a CF, but rather to assist the CFs in their developing the sport. A condition attached to the IWF funds is that each Continent has to organize an Anti-Doping Seminar and a Technical Officials’ Seminar every year. Naturally, the CF is free to stage additional courses or seminars.

Secondly, the IWF supports its Member Federations (MFs) with seminars or equipment. Fortunately the number of applicant MFs is continuously increasing. The IWF puts a great emphasis on education therefore we regularly organize major Education Seminars at our World Championships. We do our best to educate our athletes and officials, but at the same time we need our Member Federations to cooperate with us and make sure that their athletes and officials participate in these seminars. We must admit that there is still room for improvement in that respect and the IWF is keen on finding new ways to get the knowledge to the targeted groups, i.e. the athletes and their coaches and entourage.

Anti-Doping Seminar, Kenya

Course in Argentina – host of 2018 Youth Olympic Games 46 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

O

ur own Seminars are a perfect complement to the courses organised through the National Olympic Committees in the framework of the Olympic Solidarity. Our cooperation with Olympic Solidarity looks back to a history of four decades.

This year so far we had more than 10 national seminars and equipment was donated to more than 20 Federations. Regarding the Continental contribution, Africa, Asia and Europe were the most active Federations.

In the Continents great seminars were organized thus far; for example in Asia Dr. Patrick Schamasch, IWF Anti-Doping Commission Chairman held an Anti-Doping Seminar at the Asian Senior Championships in Turkmenistan which was followed by a Technical Officials’ seminar in Nepal. Within Pan America a very successful Olympic Solidarity course took place in Argentina. The main aim was to make a long term national development program involving the coaches from the whole country. It was really important as Argentina will be the host of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October 2018.

We are happy that before the World Championships in Anaheim more seminars will be organized both by the Member Federations and by the Continental Federations. Of course the Olympic Solidarity projects are also going on and we will assist in minimum three more projects before the end of the year.

After the previous Education Seminars held in Bangkok and Tokyo this year, we are looking forward to welcoming you in Anaheim at the Senior World Championships. We will publish information about the lecturers, topics on our website, so take an eye on it regularly.

Mahmoud Mahgoub, IWF CRC Chairman lecturing in Egypt

Discipline and diligence shown by Thai TOs

Discipline and diligence shown by Thai TOs

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 47

› TECHNICAL CORNER TEXT: ATTILA ADAMFI

SUCCESSFUL DEBUT OF THE ECOC SYSTEM AT V4 CUP

O

n the occasion of the “Visegrad 4 Cup” held in Prague, Czech Republic, the IWF tested for first time in history the Electronic Change of Call (ECOC in short). In the ECOC tabs-tablets replace the Athletes’ Cards.

All the teams were happily accepting and using the new system and strongly recommended their implementation in future events. The main operation of ECOC is that the coaches use their tablets and can electronically change the weight of attempts for the athletes.

Based on the feedback from the coaches the IWF will further develop the system to give a more user friendly experience. These experiences and feedback will be the subject of discussion for the Technical Committee meeting prior to the World Championships in Anaheim, USA.

48 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

WERK SAN Sport International

Weightlifting

The real power of athletes WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 49

RAISING THE BAR FOR 60 YEARS

50 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING

FOLLOW THE FUTURE OF STRENGTH AT ELEIKO.COM