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Greek legend Pyrros Dimas signs the Olympian’s Wall in Lausanne

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By IWF

Pyrros Dimas is the most Olympic medalled lifter in the history of the IWF and also the most successful Greek athlete in the Games history (all sports included). Today, he received a special tribute at the Olympic House in Lausanne (SUI), where he had the honour to sign the Olympian’s Wall. In a ceremony attended by IOC President Kirsty Coventry and the IWF President Mohammed Jalood, the immense champion could not hide his emotion and happiness for this recognition. The IWF General Secretary José Quiñones and the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic in Switzerland, Ms Ekaterini Simopoulou were also among the guests at the IOC Headquarters.

From left to right: José Quiñones (IWF General Secretary), HE Ekaterini Simopoulou (Greek Ambassador in Switzerland), Pyrros Dimas, Kirsty Coventry (IOC President), Mohammed Jalood (IWF President), Nicolas Dimas, and Achilleas Tsogas (IWF CEO)

With three gold medals – 1992, 1996, and 2000 -, and a bronze lining at home, at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Dimas is a reference in the Sport and a Hellenic inspirational hero. His third place in the Greek capital was perhaps the most inspirational moment of his rich career, with the local fans applauding him for long minutes, during the medal ceremony. After that, he announced his retirement.

Pyrros Dimas with IOC President Kirsty Coventry

“It has definitively been a great trajectory, full of beautiful and rewarding memories. I was very privileged to live such moments and to succeed at this level. Weightlifting has been an essential part of my life, and even today I get emotional when receiving these tributes. I would like to thank the IOC and its President Kirsty Coventry for this initiative. I also express my gratitude to the IWF for accompanying me during my entire career!” considered the Hellenic ace.

Also member of the IWF Executive Board and leading our International Federation’s Innovation Committee, Dimas believes he can still bring many positive outcomes to the Sport. “I am now on the ‘other side’, and I feel I can bring my experience and expertise to the benefit of our athletes, and events. Weightlifting undertook a lot of changes in recent years, and we are now a valuable and respected partner within the Olympic Movement. We need to continue the good work, and I am proud to be part of this team!” also stated Dimas.

At the IOC Headquarters, next to Pierre de Coubertin’s statue

Born in 1971 in Himara (Albania), to ethnic Greek parents, he soon demonstrates a great ability for the sport and moves in the beginning of the 1990s to Athens. At his first Olympic participation – Barcelona 1992 – Dimas gets the gold in the 82.5kg, with a total of 167.5-202.5-370. After this success, he is received like a hero at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens (the one hosting the 1896 first Olympics of the modern era), but the world (and Greece) had only witnessed the start of a legendary journey that would include two more gold (Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) and one bronze medal (Athens 2004).

With personal bests of 180.5kg in Snatch, 215kg in C&J, and 392.5kg in Total, Dimas was also world champion on three occasions (1993, 1995, and 1998). In 2009, he was inducted into the Weightlifting Hall of Fame and between 2012 and 2015, he was a member of the Hellenic Parliament.

On the ceremony at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne, Dimas was happy to add his name to a Wall of many legends in Sport. “What a nice feeling to share this space with so many other champions and Olympians! Each one of them is an example of determination, passion and devotion to his/her respective sport. It was also my case and I am very honoured to have my name in this so prestigious Wall,” concluded the Greek legend, who had a special witness at the ceremony in Lausanne: his 16-year-old son Nicolas.

Signing the Olympian’s Wall

While in Lausanne, the champion also had the opportunity to visit the Olympic Museum, where he was invited to sign the Golden Book of the institution.

Congratulations Pyrros Dimas!

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Final Entries – 2026 European Championships

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Please be informed that the Preliminary Entries for the 2026 European Championships, to be held in Batumi (GEO), are available. 
 
Regulations for the 2026 European Championships can be found at the following link.
 
Please note that all official correspondence regarding the Championships will be conducted exclusively through @ewf.sport email addresses. The Local Organizing Committee will use batumi2026@ewf.sport 
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Preliminary Entries – 2026 European Championships

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Please be informed that the Preliminary Entries for the 2026 European Championships, to be held in Batumi (GEO), will be open from 16 February to 19 February 2026.  
 
Regulations for the 2026 European Championships can be found at the following link:
 
Please note that all official correspondence regarding the Championships will be conducted exclusively through @ewf.sport email addresses. The Local Organizing Committee will use batumi2026@ewf.sport 
 
Please find below the key dates related to the event:
LA2028

Qualification System for the Olympic Games LA 2028 has been approved

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By IWF

The Weightlifting Qualification System for the Olympic Games LA 2028 has been approved by the IOC Executive Board, after extensive consultation and collaboration with the IWF.

The sport of Weightlifting will be represented at the upcoming edition of the Olympic Games by 120 lifters (60 men and 60 women), competing in 12 bodyweight categories (six for men and six for women). From this total number, 108 athletes will be selected through quota places (including 96 through a Qualification ranking, and 12 from continental representation), six can be selected as Host Country representatives, and another six will come through Universality quota.

The qualification timeline will run from July 27, 2026 though May 7, 2028 and will include two main qualification periods and events:

Period 1 / 6 events

▪ 2026 IWF World Senior Championships

▪ 2026 IWF Qualifier I

▪ 2027 IWF Qualifier II

▪ 2027 Continental Senior Championships (or Continental Senior Games)

▪ 2027 IWF Qualifier III

▪ 2027 IWF World Senior Championships

Period 2 / 4 events

▪ 2027 IWF Qualifier IV

▪ 2028 IWF Qualifier V

▪ 2028 Continental Senior Championships

▪ 2028 IWF World Senior Championships

In order to be eligible for the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking, lifters must achieve three Total results during Period 1 and two Total results during Period 2

The full details of the Weightlifting Qualification System can be found here

 

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IWF launches dedicated Athletes Commission webpage

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By IWF

In a significant step to enhance the visibility and impact of its Athletes Commission (AC), the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has launched a dedicated webpage for this key body within its main website, following an initiative led by the IWF Athletes Commission itself to strengthen communication and engagement with athletes worldwide.

The new AC portal (ac.iwf.sport) is accessible directly from the IWF website via a newly added main menu item at the top of the homepage titled “AC Portal.”

This microsite outlines the structure, mission, and objectives of the IWF Athletes Commission and serves as a central hub for sharing information on activities, events, and initiatives relevant to the global weightlifting community. Developed at the request of the Athletes Commission, the platform is designed to provide athletes with direct access to resources, updates, and key policy information. It also offers important insights into the IWF’s anti-doping framework, as well as tools dedicated to athletes’ health and wellbeing.

“This is an important milestone for our sport and for our athletes,” said Forrester Osei, Chair of the IWF Athletes Commission. “The Athletes Commission identified the need for a direct and transparent channel of communication between lifters and the leadership of the IWF, and this portal is the result of that initiative.”

“This platform gives us a concrete tool to fulfil our mission,” Mr Osei added. “It will provide our community with valuable resources and information that will help athletes perform better – not only on the competition platform, but also in their personal lives.”

Looking ahead, the Athletes Commission is eager to see how the platform develops, particularly in the lead-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. “We thank everyone who supported and contributed to turning this Athletes Commission initiative into reality. Their commitment will help make the IWF and the sport of weightlifting stronger on a global scale,” Mr Osei concluded.

As a dynamic and evolving space designed to engage lifters worldwide, the Athletes Commission warmly welcomes suggestions and feedback to help enrich and update the portal’s content.

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The 2025 European Junior & U23 Championships Successfully Concluded

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After eight days of intense and exciting competition, the 2025 European Junior & U23 Weightlifting Championships have come to a successful close in Durres, Albania.

This year’s event stood out for its remarkable level of performance — in every junior weight category, at least one European record was broken. The competition even saw a world records achieved by Albania’s Enkileda Carja, who, competing in the Women’s 63 kg Junior category, set new European records in all three lifts (snatch, clean & jerk, and total), as well as a world record in the clean & jerk and total.

RESULTS

These outstanding results demonstrate not only the event’s excellent quality but also the athletes’ and their teams’ effort and preparedness.

Best Athletes

  • Best Junior Athletes:

    • Aleksandra Grigoryan (Armenia)

    • Tigran Karapetyan (Armenia)

  • Best U23 Athletes:

    • Mihaela Valentina Cambei (Romania)

    • Yusuf Fehmi Genc (Türkiye)

Team Rankings

Junior Women’s Team Rankings:

  1. Ukraine

  2. Türkiye

  3. Spain

  4. Poland

  5. Armenia

  6. Great Britain

U23 Women’s Team Rankings:

  1. Poland

  2. Türkiye

  3. Germany

  4. Italy

  5. Spain

  6. Ukraine

Junior Men’s Team Rankings:

  1. Türkiye

  2. Georgia

  3. Ukraine

  4. Armenia

  5. Romania

  6. Poland

U23 Men’s Team Rankings:

  1. Türkiye

  2. Armenia

  3. Georgia

  4. Ukraine

  5. Poland

  6. Azerbaijan

An innovation introduced during the competition, proposed by the EWF President, was the organization of medal ceremonies in a dedicated zone. This approach ensured a more efficient competition schedule and allowed medalists and their teams the opportunity to celebrate their success in a dignified and festive setting.  

The Championships concluded with a magnificent closing banquet that celebrated the achievements of all participants, while gracefully highlighting the host nation’s culture and hospitality.  

The Albanian Weightlifting Federation, as the host of the event, once again demonstrated its professionalism, hospitality, and organizational capabilities, confirming its status as one of the most active and capable federations in hosting major weightlifting events.

Next on the calendar come the Balkan Championships, an IWF calendar event — and once again, we look forward to warmly welcoming you in Albania.

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IOC approves two additional bodyweight categories for LA2028

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The IWF is pleased to announce that the IOC Executive Board approved today the inclusion of two additional bodyweight categories (one for men and one for women) in the programme of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

This significant and important decision follows the recommendation of the Olympic Programme Commission and the request of our International Federation. Moreover, the quota of 120 lifters (60 men and 60 women) remains unchanged – these athletes will therefore compete in 12 bodyweight categories (six per gender), with a total of 10 weightlifters per event. Finally, these two additional categories will be incorporated in the number of sessions and days previously established for these Games (the weightlifting competition in Los Angeles will be held in five days, from July 25-29, 2028).

This improvement in the programme was essentially requested by the IWF Athletes Commission, and of course supported by the IWF leadership. The lifters’ representatives estimated that a higher number of bodyweight categories would provide a more balanced gap between each of them, thus minimising the possible health impact and injury risk on the athletes.

“The IOC has positively taken into account our important arguments and we are extremely happy with this step forward. We will definitively deliver a more exciting programme in Los Angeles and our athletes’ community receives this news with immense satisfaction. I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the IOC Executive Board, the IOC Olympic Programme Commission, the IOC Sports Department, and of course to the Organisers of the Los Angeles Games. Together with the IWF teams, we could improve the IWF presence in the event, thus meeting also the expectations of the protagonists of our Sport. In less than three years, the world will celebrate a great Olympic show in Los Angeles and we are very excited to be part of that success,” considered the IWF President Mohammed Jalood.

The IWF will now have until the end of 2025 to define the six categories for both men and women to be contested at the 2028 Olympic Games.

By IWF Communications

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EWF Announces First Athletes’ Commission Members Following Vetting Process

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The European Weightlifting Federation has officially announced the members of its newly formed Athletes’ Commission, following a thorough vetting process that concluded.

The athletes elections took place immediately after the EWF Congress, during the 2025 EWF Senior European Championships, hosted in Chișinău, Moldova, from April 13 to 21, 2025. Athletes voted for athletes, casted their votes on-site in the presence of the Moldova Public Notery, marking a historic step in strengthening athlete representation within European weightlifting.

After the final eligibility checks and confirmation procedures, the following athletes have been confirmed as members of the EWF Athletes’ Commission:

  • Ivona Gavran (CRO)

  • Kiara Klug (GER)

  • Despina Polaktsidou (GRE)

  •  Sean Brown (IRL)

  • Vasil Marinov (BUL)

  • Levan Ochigava (GEO)

The Commission will serve as a direct link between athletes and the EWF leadership, providing a platform for athlete input on key decisions and initiatives across the sport.

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Daily Routines

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When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

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Marketing Ideas

by with No Comment Uncategorized

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.