Introduction

An ancient sport as old as mankind, embodying the most direct manifestation of human strength, weightlifting has not only flourished, but developed into a modern sporting discipline for the 21st century. The apparent simplicity of lifting the barbell from the ground and over the head in one or two movements is deceiving. Weightlifting requires a combination of power, speed, technique, concentration and timing.

Super heavyweight lifters normally claim the title of World's Strongest Man or Woman. However, kilo per kilo, the lightest weightlifter is often the strongest.

Men's weightlifting was on the programme of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, and women participated for the first time ever at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

Understanding Weightlifting

The basic items of equipment for competition Weightlifting are:

   

Rules

Weightlifting consists of two movements: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Athletes compete in categories according to their body weight. According to International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) rules, in competitions the athlete's performances in both movements are put together to determine the final placement.

The techniques for the two Weightlifting movements are as follows:

Snatch:

The competitor lifts the bar overhead in a single motion. In the attempt to lift the bar, the knees may bend, and the legs may split, but no other part of the body may touch the ground.  Once the bar is lifted overhead, the competitor must remain motionless, arms and legs extended, with bar and body in a straight line, until given the green light by the referees.

Clean and jerk: 

This is a two-part lift.  In the first (the 'clean') part, the weight is brought from the ground to shoulder-level in one motion.  In the attempt to lift the weight, the knees may bend and the legs may be split.  In the second (the 'jerk') the competitor bends the knees, at the same time extending the arms upwards, thus lifting the bar overhead. When the movement is complete, the competitor must remain absolutely motionless until the signal from the referees is green.  

Athletes are separated into categories according to their body weight. Since 1 January 1998, the body weight categories are as follows: