Breaking: IWF Backs Down on Planned Weight Classes Following IOC Decision

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has ditched part of its initial plan for new weight classes following a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to leave certain restrictions in place at the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

• Remind Me: In December of last year, the IWF announced their intention to enact new weight categories effective Jun. 1, 2025, in anticipation of weightlifting having an expanded presence in LA. 

A May 8 press release from the IWF explained that the organization's initial batch of new classes will remain in place except for one — the Men's 98-kilogram class will be replaced by a 94-kilo category instead.

Here are the assumed final batch of new weight classes, plus some background on why this happened and what it means for the athletes.

Here are the IWF's new array of weight classes, which will apply to all international events and member federations starting this summer: 

Junior & Senior Weight Classes | Women

• 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 77, 86, +86

Junior & Senior Weight Classes | Men

• 60, 65, 71, 79, 88, 94, 110, +110

Youth Weight Classes

• Girls: 44, 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 77, +77
• Boys: 56, 60, 65, 71, 79, 88, 94, +94

Of the eight categories for Junior and Senior athletes of each gender, five will be showcased at the Olympics in three years.

The IWF has campaigned to rehabilitate its image in the eyes of Olympic governance for the better part of the last decade. 

Despite significant reforms made during the tenure of IWF President Mohammed Jalood, weightlifting was initially left off the programme for LA2028 after suffering the most constricted representation in the sport's modern history in Paris.

• By the Numbers: 122 weightlifters performed in Paris last summer, the fewest of any Games since 1956. In Tokyo, there were 196; in Rio, 260.

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The IOC reversed course in autumn of 2023, confirming weightlifting as a Games event for LA. This, we believe, put wind in the sails of those steering the IWF, who anticipated receiving a larger athlete quota and more weight class events for 2028. 

Things did not pan out that way — despite "great strides" made by the IWF, an updated Games itinerary published in April revealed that the sport will again field athletes in only five divisions per gender. 

As such, the IWF has opted to adjust its planned Men's divisions to "ensure a fairer and safer qualification for all athletes" due to the Men's classes being "more evenly distributed." 

• Between the Lines: Prior to the IWF's latest announcement, it was speculated that LA would host the Men's 88 and 110-kilogram classes, leaving an untenable 22-kilogram gulf for the athletes. President Jalood remarked on his organization's intent to recalibrate things during the European Weightlifting Championships in Moldova last month.

No changes to the Women's weight classes were announced, and the divisions to be showcased in LA have not yet been chosen. 

The IWF last shuffled its weight classes in 2018. In the process, existing records became frozen in time, new "world standards" — benchmarks put forth by the IWF that an athlete must lift above in order to claim an inaugural world record — were published, and athletes who had made homes at certain bodyweights had to relocate. 

It'll be more of the same over the next few years. Here's what we're keeping on our radar:

• The 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships, which start this week, is the final opportunity for an athlete to ink themselves into the record books before the current weight classes are sunset. 
• There will likely be a "gold rush" to claim the first batch of world records in the new divisions. 
• However, some of the new divisions are likely to experience a talent drought if they aren't held in LA. The Men's 89-kilogram, currently a hotbed of some of the most thrilling performances in the sport, was mostly vacant until 2022. 
• It's unclear if the newly minted 94-kilogram class will be shown in 2028. If so and if it is the final class before the uncapped super-heavyweights, athletes will need to gain or lose substantial weight if they want to qualify for LA2028.