Weightlifting History
31st May 1890
 Vienna
The “Österreichischer Athleten Bund” (founded in December 1889) is officially recognised by the Imperial and Royal Governorship and became the first world’s national governing body for weightlifting Click to read the full article
28th March 1891
 London
In an international competition with seven athletes from six countries, Levy Lawrence Edward (GBR) gained the title “Amateur Champion Weightlifter of the World”. Click to read the full article
7th April 1896
 Athens
Weightlifting is in the program of the first Olympic Games of the modern times. One-hand snatch and two-hand clean and jerk formed the program for six athletes from five countries. Click to read the full article
10th June 1905
 Duisburg
Foundation of the „Amateur-Athleten-Weltunion“, predecessor of the IWF, with responsibility for weightlifting and wrestling.

Three body weight categories are realised: 70 kg Lightweight, 80 kg Middleweight and over 80 kg Heavy-weight. Four exercises have to form the program in international competitions: right- and left-hand snatch, two-hand press and two-hand clean & jerk. Click to read the full article
10th July 1910
 Frankfurt
A barbell with discs (20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 kg) and a revolving bar is introduced by the company Kaspar Berg. Click to read the full article
15th July 1912
 Stockholm
The organization’s new name is “Internationaler Weltverband für Schwerathletik”. Click to read the full article
6th–7th July 1913
 Berlin
The organization’s new name is "Internationaler Amateur-Weltverband für Schwerathletik“.

Five bodyweight categories are approved: 60 kg - Featherweight, 67.5 kg - Lightweight, 75 kg - Middleweight, 82.5 kg - Lightheavyweight, over 82.5 kg - Heavyweight. Click to read the full article
23rd August 1920
 Antwerp
The organization’s new name is "Fédération Internationale Haltérophile", in short FIH. Click to read the full article
15th March 1925
 
FIH published the first authentic list of world records in the following exercises: right and left hand snatch, right and left hand clean & jerk, two hands press, snatch and clean & jerk. Click to read the full article
17th May 1928
 Amsterdam Olympic Games
Only a triathlon consisting of press, snatch and clean & jerk with both hands has to be executed in the weightlifting program. Click to read the full article
13th September 1937
 FIH Congress, Paris
When, during an international competition, a lifter fails by a small margin (not more than 5 kg) a world record, he may be granted, at his request, a fourth attempt outside the competition. Click to read the full article
17th October 1946
 FIH Congress, Paris
World records in the Olympic Triathlon (sum of results in press, snatch and clean & jerk) are recognised and registered. Click to read the full article
1947
 
A new bodyweight category up to 56 kg (bantamweight) is created. Click to read the full article
7th August 1948
 FIH Congress, London
For the team classification 5-3-1 points are distributed for the 1st to the 3rd place. Click to read the full article
12th October 1950
 FIH Congress, Paris
At Olympic Games and World Championships, seven lifters per country may participate, with a maximum of two lifters per category.

The organization’s new name is “Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste", in short FIHC.

A time limit of 3 minutes is allowed for competitors. Click to read the full article
1951
 
New categories are introduced: 56 kg - Bantamweight, 60 kg - Featherweight, 67.5 kg - Lightweight, 75 kg - Middleweight, 82.5 kg - Lightheavyweight, 90 kg – Middleheavyweight and over 90 kg - Heavyweight.

28th February, Buenos Aires: Foundation of the “Pan-American Weightlifting Federation”. Click to read the full article
7th November 1957
 FIHC Congress, Teheran
For the team classification, there are distributed 10-6-4-3-2-1 points for the first to the sixth place.

Diameter of the bar is 28 mm; distance of the bar between the discs is 1.31 m; height from the ground 21 cm; length of the bar 2.20m. Click to read the full article
24th May 1958
 Tokyo
Foundation of the “Asian Weightlifting Federation”.

For the team classification 7-5-4-3-2-1 points are distributed for the 1st to the 6th place. Click to read the full article
11th June 1961
 FIHC Bureau Meeting, London
One-hand exercises are deleted. Click to read the full article
1962
 
World records for juniors are recognized and registered.

Referees are classified in Category I and Category II. Click to read the full article
15th October 1964
 FIHC Congress, Tokyo
For the registration of junior world records, a category 52 kg is accepted.

When there are 14 or more athletes in a category the competition has to be carried out in two groups. Click to read the full article
1969
 
The following categories are valid: 52 kg Flyweight, 56 kg Bantamweight, 60 kg Featherweight, 67.5 kg Lightweight, 75 kg Middleweight, 82.5 kg Lightheavyweight, 90 kg Middleheavyweight, over 90 kg till 110 kg Heavyweight, over 110 kg Superheavyweight.

In World and Continental Championships not only the total results but also the individual lifts are honoured with medals.

The organization’s new name is "Fédération Haltérophile International", in short FHI.

20th September, Warsaw: Foundation of the “European Weightlifting Federation”.

Foundation of the AIPS Weightlifting Commission. Click to read the full article
6th September 1972
 Executive Board Meeting
The organization’s new name is "International Weightlifting Federation", in short IWF. Click to read the full article
1973
 
Abolition of the two-hand press. Competitions only with two lifts (Snatch, Clean & Jerk with two hands).

For the team classification 12-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points are distributed for the 1st to 10th place (only for the total). Click to read the full article
5th–12th July 1975
 Marseille
The first Junior World Championships were organized. Click to read the full article
1977
 
The following ten categories are valid: 52-56-60-67.5-75-82.5-90-100-110-over 110 kg.
The three minutes period for the execution of attempts reduced to two minutes.
For the team classification 12-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points are distributed for the 1st to 10th place for the individual lifts and the total.
15th September, Executive Board Meeting, Stuttgart: Provisional creation of a “Special Methodical Commission”. Click to read the full article
10th March 1978
 Alexandria
Foundation of the “Weightlifting Federation of Africa”. Click to read the full article
1980
 
The “Special Methodical Commission”, created provisionally in 1977, found the official recognition in the Constitution as “Scientific and Research Committee”.

6th November, Melbourne: Foundation of the “Oceania Weightlifting Federation”. Click to read the full article
20th–21st January 1981
 Budapest
The first “Barbell-Summit” with the companies manufacturing the weightlifting barbells took place. The IWF used its right to issue licenses and to specify the kind of equipment at important international competitions. Click to read the full article
20th October 1983
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Moscow
Unanimously accepted to control woman weightlifting in principle. Categories for women: 44-48-52-56-60-67.5-75-82.5-over 82.5 kg. Click to read the full article
12th–14th January 1984
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Herzogenaurach
It was unanimously agreed that any lifter caught in Los Angeles at the Olympic Games on the use of doping should be suspended for life.

27th July, IWF Congress, Los Angeles: For the team classification 16-14-13-12-11-10-9- 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points are distributed for the 1st to 15th place. Click to read the full article
23rd March 1986
 Budapest
The first international women tournament took place with 23 athletes from five countries. Click to read the full article
4th September 1987
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Ostrava
The weight increase from the first attempt to the second one in the two competition exercises may be 2.5 kg.

30th October - 1st November, Florida: The first Women World Championships with 100 athletes from 22 countries took place. Click to read the full article
1st December 1988
 IWF Congress, Jakarta
The time limit for the execution of an attempt reduced to 90 seconds. Click to read the full article
11th March 1989
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Tenerife
Lifters setting up world records must undergo doping control.

No fourth attempt for world records permitted. Click to read the full article
8th November 1990
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Budapest
Suspension for life already at the first positive doping cases. Click to read the full article
27th–28th March 1991
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Atlanta
World records can be set up at the following events: World Championships (Men, Women, and Junior), Continental Championships, Continental Games, and World Cup Gala.

An IWF-conducted doping control is a condition for all the events.

27th September - 5th October, Donaueschingen: One minute (60 seconds) is given to competitors between the calling of their name and the beginning of their attempt. Click to read the full article
15th November 1992
 IWF Congress in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
The IWF recognizes the masters movement.

When competitors attempt two lifts in succession, they have two minutes (120 seconds) for the succeeding attempt. Click to read the full article
16th–18th February 1993
  IWF Executive Board Meeting, Hurghada
New categories are valid: 54 kg, 59 kg, 64 kg, 70 kg, 76 kg, 83 kg, 91 kg, 99 kg, 108 kg and over 108 kg for Men. 46 kg, 50 kg, 54 kg, 59 kg, 64 kg, 70 kg, 76 kg, 83 kg and over 83 kg for Women. Click to read the full article
9th–16th July 1995
 Warsaw
1st Junior World Championships for women (upper age limit 18 years) with 75 lifters, 17 nations. Click to read the full article
1st May 1996
 IWF Executive Board Meeting, Warsaw
For the team classification 28-25-23-22-21-20-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 points are distributed for the 1st to 25th place.

10th and 11th December, IWF Congress, Athens: Two-Year-Suspension for a first doping offence.

13th December: The IOC Executive Board confirmed it’s decision to include women’s weightlifting in the programme of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Click to read the full article
1997
 
Introduction of women bar to be used at world and continental championships and big international events. Length of the bar is 2010 mm, grip diameter is 25 mm, and weight of the bar is 15 kg. Click to read the full article
24th–25th April 1998
 Ramat Gan
New categories are valid: for men 56-62-69-77-85-94-105-over 105 kg, for women: 48-53-58-63-69-75-over 75 kg.

1st World Championships for University and College Students (Women 37 lifters,11 nations, Men 50 lifters, 11 nations). Click to read the full article
16th–26th September 2000
 Sydney
Weightlifting for women celebrates the Premiere at the Games of the XXVII Olympiad with 85 athletes from 47 countries. Click to read the full article
3rd March 2005
 Istanbul
IWF celebrates its centenary (10 June 1905, Duisburg, Germany).

4th March, IWF Congress, Istanbul: With effect of 1st May, the weight of the barbell must always be a multiple of 1.0 kg.

A World Record is only valid if it exceeds the previous one (individual lift or total) by 1.0 kg. Click to read the full article
25th–28th November 2008
 Komotini, Greece
1st FISU World University Championships (Women 56 lifters, 23 nations. Men 103 lifters, 29 nations). Click to read the full article
20th–24th May 2009
 Chiang Mai
1st Youth World Championships (Women 143 lifters, 30 nations, Men 202 lifters, 42 nations). Click to read the full article
15th–19th August 2010
 Singapore
1st Youth Olympic Games (Women 46 lifters, 40 nations, Men 58 lifters, 48 nations). Approved by the IOC weightlifting featured on the Games with the following criteria: Age group: 16 - 17 years; Categories women: 48-53-58-63-63+ kg; Categories men: 56-62-69-77-85-85+ kg; Six competitions days and a quota of 110 competitors altogether. Click to read the full article
2011
 Shenzhen
26th Summer Universiade featuring weightlifting for the first time on the program. Click to read the full article
7th November 2014
 Almaty
The new IWF logo was approved and introduced at the 2014 IWF World Championships Click to read the full article
2016
 Beijing - Penang
8th women bodyweight category approved by the EB in Beijing, CHN (25 September) and ratified by the Congress in Penang, MAS (19 October) achieving gender equality.
New categories in effect with 1 January 2017 are 90kg and +90kg for Junior and Senior, 75kg and +75kg for Youth. Click to read the full article
2018
 Tashkent - Uzbekistan
Ten (10) new bodyweight categories for women and ten (10) new categories for men were approved by the IWF Executive Board and ratified by the Congress. Seven (7) and seven (7) bodyweight categories were also selected for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Click to read the full article
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