The number of weight categories has decreased from 10 to eight for both male and female competitors. Last updated on December 6th, 2024 Olympic Weightlifting is set to introduce new bodyweight divisions for the first time in seven years. On Dec. 5, 2024, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) sanctioned the Innovation Commission’s recommendation to condense […]
The number of weight categories has decreased from 10 to eight for both male and female competitors.
Last updated on December 6th, 2024
Olympic Weightlifting is set to introduce new bodyweight divisions for the first time in seven years. On Dec. 5, 2024, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) sanctioned the Innovation Commission’s recommendation to condense weight classes from 10 to eight for male and female athletes. This change necessitates a modification of the weights within each classification.
All existing male and female weight categories have been eliminated and substituted with the following new categories:
IWF Female Weightlifting Categories
- 48 kilograms
- 53 kilograms
- 58 kilograms
- 63 kilograms
- 69 kilograms
- 77 kilograms
- 86 kilograms
- +86 kilograms
The former bodyweight categories included:
- 45 kilograms
- 49 kilograms
- 55 kilograms
- 59 kilograms
- 64 kilograms
- 71 kilograms
- 76 kilograms
- 81 kilograms
- 87 kilograms
- +87 kilograms
IWF Male Weightlifting Categories
- 60 kilograms
- 65 kilograms
- 71 kilograms
- 79 kilograms
- 88 kilograms
- 98 kilograms
- 110 kilograms
- +110 kilograms
The previous bodyweight categories were:
- 55 kilograms
- 61 kilograms
- 67 kilograms
- 73 kilograms
- 81 kilograms
- 89 kilograms
- 96 kilograms
- 102 kilograms
- 109 kilograms
- +109 kilograms
[Related: The Jump Squat: How, When, and Why Weightlifters Should Include Them In Training]
[Related: Karlos Nasar Smashes 3 Unofficial Records Ahead of 2024 World Weightlifting Championships]
In addition to the changes in weight categories, the classifications for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games are also set to be reduced. Details on these categories were not confirmed at the time this article was published.
This represents a continuation of the streamlined categories from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which included the following:
Men’s Weightlifting
- 61 kilograms
- 73 kilograms
- 89 kilograms
- 102 kilograms
- +102 kilograms
Women’s Weightlifting
- 49 kilograms
- 59 kilograms
- 71 kilograms
- 81 kilograms
- +81 kilograms
BarBend will provide updates to this article regarding the new weight categories and their potential impact on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as information becomes available.
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