This week in Lima, Peru, the IWF World Youth Championship brings together the best young weightlifters in the world to compete for a title that brings together 51 countries and a total of 284 participants. This world championship is the prelude to next year’s qualifiers for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in Dakar (Senegal).
This world event follows in the wake of other competitions already organized in Peru and will have two simultaneous platforms: one for the men’s and one for the women’s categories. It is not the first time Peru takes this innovative measure but it is still an innovation. José Quiñones, president of the Pan American Weightlifting Federation, commented to SportsIn that “the two simultaneous platforms give dynamism to the competitions and that points to a better attraction of the public”. In addition, “everyone wins, the public, the television, the federations and, above all, the athlete wins, which is what is really important,” he adds.
Quiñones is very grateful to the IWF, whose president –Mohammed Jalood– and CEO –Achilleas Tsogas– have traveled to the event, for allowing innovations such as the two platforms or even the use of the same referees for both platforms, reducing the cost of refereeing by 50%. These World Cups will be followed through two transmission channels, another of the innovations that have been implemented in these World Cups. “The important thing is to look for innovations without altering the spirit of our sport and that provide a series of benefits to our athletes,” says José Quiñones.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND THE ‘WARMTH’ OF PERU
“Peruvians like to welcome everyone and share our land,” says Quiñones. Peru has always been a welcoming country for big events such as this IWF World Youth Championship. All youth athletes are arriving to the capital of Peru and SportsIn has chatted with one of those participants that are competing this week to learn first-hand about this enriching personal experience, beyond the sporting competition. Mexican Kelly Alexandra Lopez, W55KG weightlifter, says that this “is an experience I will never forget. It’s my first international competition and I’m a little nervous, but I’ll give it my all.
For five days we will see a young generation that will soon be the future of weightlifting in the world.
For more information, check the International Weightlifting Federation website iwf.sport
