Preparing for the 2024 IWF World Championships

Competition Format and Categories

The 2024 IWF World Championships will feature competitions in ten weight categories for both men and women. For men, the categories range from 55kg to +109kg, while for women, they span from 45kg to +87kg. Each category will see athletes competing in two disciplines: the Snatch, and the Clean & Jerk. Medals will be awarded in each discipline as well as for the overall total in each weight category.

Understanding the two primary disciplines in weightlifting, the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk, is essential for anyone looking to bet on the sport. These two lifts are the foundation of competitive weightlifting and are used to determine the strongest and most technically skilled athletes in each weight category.

The Snatch is often considered the most technically demanding. In this lift, the athlete must lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion. The movement requires a combination of speed, precision, and flexibility. The lifter begins by gripping the barbell with a wide grip, then explosively pulls the bar upward, transitioning it past their knees and thighs, and finally extending their body fully to bring the bar overhead in a single fluid motion. The athlete must then stabilize the barbell above their head with their arms fully extended while standing up straight. A successful Snatch demonstrates the lifter’s coordination, balance, and strength.

The Clean & Jerk is often where competitions are decided. This lift is performed in two stages. First, in the “clean”, the athlete lifts the barbell from the ground to their shoulders in a single motion, catching it in a squat position before standing up straight. This requires not only strength but also a great deal of power and technique to get the barbell to rest on the shoulders without losing balance. Following this, the “jerk” involves the athlete then using their legs to push the barbell upwards from the shoulders to above their head, locking their arms out fully to complete the lift. This portion of the lift tests the athlete’s ability to generate explosive power and maintain stability under the weight.

The combined total of the heaviest successful lifts in these two disciplines determines the overall ranking in each weight category.

There will also be trophies awarded to the top six men’s and women’s teams based on their overall performance. Understanding the competition format and categories can help you identify where the value lies in the betting markets.

Notable Athletes and Teams to Watch

The results of the recent 2024 Olympic Games in Paris provide a clear indication of the athletes to watch at the upcoming 2024 IWF World Championships in Manama.

Women’s Categories

In the women’s events, China demonstrated its dominance, securing multiple gold medals. Hou Zhihui of China, who claimed gold in the Women’s 49kg category with a total lift of 206kg, is expected to be a frontrunner. Her performance was closely followed by Mihaela Valentina Cambei of Romania, who lifted 205kg to take the silver medal.

In the Women’s 59kg category, Luo Shifang continued China’s success by winning gold with a total of 241kg. Her consistency and technique make her a favourite in any competition she enters. Maude Charron of Canada and Kuo Hsing-Chun of Chinese Taipei, who secured silver and bronze respectively, are also likely to be key competitors in Bahrain.

Olivia Reeves of the USA was outstanding in the Women’s 71kg category, winning gold with a lift of 262kg. Her victory was followed by Mari Leivis Sanchez of Colombia and Angie Paola Palacios Dajomes of Ecuador. Their performances were closely matched, with Sanchez lifting 257kg and Palacios Dajomes lifting 256kg.

In the Women’s 81kg, Solfrid Eila Amena Koanda of Norway emerged as a strong force, winning gold with a lift of 275kg. This was followed by Egypt’s Sara Ahmed and Ecuador’s Neisi Patricia Dajomes Barrera, who claimed silver and bronze respectively.

Finally, in the Women’s +81kg category, Li Wenwen of China set a high bar with a gold-winning lift of 309kg. Her dominance in this category is undisputed, and she will be a heavy favourite in Bahrain. Park Hyejeong of South Korea and Emily Campbell of Great Britain, who took silver and bronze respectively, are also expected to be strong competitors.

Men’s Categories

On the men’s side, Li Fabin of China showcased his prowess by winning gold in the Men’s 61kg category with a total lift of 310kg. His closest competitor, Theerapong Silachai of Thailand, lifted 303kg to take silver. Hampton Morris of the USA, who won bronze with a lift of 298kg, is another athlete to keep an eye on.

In the Men’s 73kg category, Rizki Juniansyah of Indonesia secured gold with an impressive lift of 354kg. Weeraphon Wichuma of Thailand and Bozhidar Dimitrov Andreev of Bulgaria, who won silver and bronze respectively, are also expected to be among the top competitors in Bahrain.

The Men’s 89kg category saw Karlos May Nasar of Bulgaria dominate with a gold-winning lift of 404kg. His closest competitor, Yeison Lopez of Colombia, lifted 390kg to take silver, while Antonino Pizzolato of Italy claimed bronze with a lift of 384kg.

In the highly competitive Men’s 102kg category, Liu Huanhua of China edged out his rivals with a gold-winning lift of 406kg. Akbar Djuraev of Uzbekistan and Yauheni Tsikhantsou of Armenia were close behind, winning silver and bronze with lifts of 404kg and 402kg respectively.

Finally, in the Men’s +102kg category, Lasha Talakhadze of Georgia reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest weightlifters of all time by winning gold with a staggering lift of 470kg. Varazdat Lalayan of Armenia and Gor Minasyan of Bahrain completed the podium, lifting 467kg and 461kg respectively.

A Competition to Look Forward To

The 2024 IWF World Championships is set to be hugely exciting and here at Galera Bet you will find all the betting markets needed to bet on every moment of it. Visit our sportsbook  as the event approaches to find all the latest odds.