In a groundbreaking decision, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has opted to streamline the weight categories in both men’s and women’s divisions, effective June 2025. The organization is set to reduce the total number of weight categories from ten to eight for each gender, following recommendations from the IWF Innovation Commission. In the men’s categories, […]
In a groundbreaking decision, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has opted to streamline the weight categories in both men’s and women’s divisions, effective June 2025.
The organization is set to reduce the total number of weight categories from ten to eight for each gender, following recommendations from the IWF Innovation Commission.
In the men’s categories, the 55kg class will be eliminated, with competitions commencing at 60kg, and modifications will also be made to the categories in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
The newly suggested weight classes for men include: 60kg, 65kg, 71kg, 79kg, 88kg, 98kg, 110kg, and +110kg, a change from the previously existing 55kg, 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 81kg, 89kg, 96kg, 102kg, 109kg, and +109kg.
In the women’s division, the 45kg class will be discontinued along with the 49kg category, in which Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu earned a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In place of these, a new 48kg category will be established alongside 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, and +86kg, replacing the former categories of 45kg, 49kg, 55kg, 59kg, 64kg, 71kg, 76kg, 81kg, 87kg, and +87kg.
These adjustments will be enacted from June 2025 and were sanctioned during the latest IWF Executive Board meeting held in Manama, Bahrain.
In addition to the proposed alterations, the IWF Congress has ratified changes to the federation’s constitution.
All members of the IWF have convened in Manama as the World Weightlifting Championships are set to commence today.
