The weightlifting news from this week (March 12th – 18th) includes:
- Cancellation of further continental championships and national competitions
- Modification to the Olympic qualification system
- Big lifts from the world’s best
You can listen to the full episode of the news show using the player below, and subscribe to the WH podcast on iTunes here, and on Spotify here.
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Postponements to Further Olympic Qualifying Competitions
The ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is having a big impact on international weightlifting, with competitions being canceled or postponed, the qualification process being thrown into chaos and the Olympic Games themselves in doubt.
In addition to past event cancelations/postponements, this week saw further changes to the Oceana Championships, the South American and Ibero-American Championships, the Pan-American Championships, and the English Age Group Championships
You can check-out a full timeline of events here.
Modification to the Olympic Qualification System
The IWF executive board met earlier this week to discuss amendments to the Olympic qualification system in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. Their plan has been put to the IOC and awaits ratification. You can read the full story here, or read the tldr below.
TLDR
- The date for the end of qualifying will be moved forward to 31 March.
- Athletes who are named on the preliminary start lists for canceled qualifying events will be treated as completed entries – but will be unable to earn further qualifying points.
- The points and ranking system will otherwise remain intact.
Big Lifts from the World’s Best
With the cancellations of April’s continental championships we are seeing many athletes emerge into a directionless taper phase. Though not ideal for them, it has provided the fans of the sport with some entertaining content.
Below are some of the week’s biggest and best lifts
- Li Fabin (61 CHN) – 142kg snatch (he is the current world record holder at 145kg)
- Eishiro Murakami (+109) JPN – 140kg strict press triple PR
- Yauheni Tsikhantsou (96 BLR) – 290kg back squat double
- Toma Loredana (64 ROM) – 180kg back squat 2×2 (90%)
- Boady Santavy (96 CAN) – 172kg snatch (triple), 181kg snatch PR
- Kate Nye (76 USA) – 150kg back squat for 10
- For the rest, listen to this week’s episode of the Weightlifting House News Show (player above)