Ahmedabad, May 28 (UNI) In a major boost to Indian sport, Ahmedabad will host the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships, marking the country’s return as host of the prestigious continental event after a gap of 44 years, the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) announced on WEdnesday.
The last time India played host was in 1982, when the event was held in New Delhi alongside the Asian Games. Since its inception in 1957, the continental championship has largely eluded Indian soil, making the 2026 edition a historic comeback for Indian weightlifting on the Asian stage.
The tournament, scheduled from April 1 to 10 next year, was initially allotted to Gandhinagar, Gujarat, at the AWF Congress held in 2024 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. However, the venue has now been shifted to Ahmedabad, which is expected to provide enhanced infrastructure and greater logistical support.
This will also be the first Asian Championships to be held under the new weight categories introduced by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), marking a new era for the sport globally. The revised bodyweight divisions come into effect post-Paris 2024 and are expected to reshape the competitive field.
India's recent performances have shown promising signs. At the 2024 edition held in Jiangshan, China, the country fielded a new-look squad. Seram Nirupama Devi, a former Asian youth medallist and National Games champion, impressed in the women’s 64kg division with a fourth-place finish and a 206kg total lift (91kg snatch + 115kg clean and jerk). In the men’s 96kg, Dilbag Singh, also a National Games champion, placed ninth with a 339kg total (147kg + 192kg).
Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu was notably absent from the competition, as she continues to adapt to the IWF's restructured weight classes following her appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
With the sport seeing a strong surge in women’s participation, the upcoming Championships could provide a launchpad for a new generation of Indian lifters.
The return of the Asian Weightlifting Championships to Indian soil is seen as both a recognition of India's growing influence in international sport and a chance to revitalise the domestic weightlifting scene.
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