The biggest competition in weightlifting outside of the Olympics themselves is headed to South America. According to an Apr. 25, 2022 press release issued by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the organization has selected Bogota, Colombia as the confirmed host location for the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships (WWC).
The IWF mentioned that while Colombia is confirmed as the host country, the organization hasn’t yet determined specific dates for the event. Their event calendar only states that the WWC will be held sometime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022.
USA Weightlifting along with seven other governing bodies submitted bids to claim the competition after China, on Mar. 23, 2022, reneged on its commitment to facilitate the event due to growing COVID-19-related logistical concerns in the country.
The IWF’s presser detailed its selection process, in which all prospective countries were to submit their proposals for review by Apr. 22, 2022. After each submission and a subsequent Q&A, the IWF Executive Board selected Colombia via a majority vote secret ballot.
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Speaking on the matter, Interim President of the IWF Dr. Michael Irani had this to say:
“Colombia has provided a consistent stream of strong weightlifting champions through the years and it brings us immense pleasure to be able to take the IWF Senior World Championships there … this event will prove to be significant in the growth of the sport within the country.”
President of the Colombian Weightlifting Federation (CWF) William Peña also echoed his enthusiasm for Bogota’s selection, remarking:
“Sensational news. A recognition of a country that transforms lives through weightlifting. With articulated work and a lot of love we will make the best World Championships in history. Thank you IWF, for trusting us.”
Weightlifting in Colombia
2022 will be the first time in history that Colombia has played host to the Senior WWC. However, the country is no stranger to the international stage. Colombia has hosted several prominent weightlifting events in the last two decades:
Major Weightlifting Competitions Hosted in Colombia
- 2004 Cali — Pan-American Weightlifting Championships
- 2008 Cali — Junior World Weightlifting Championships
- 2016 Cartagena — Pan-American Weightlifting Championships
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Moreover, Dr. Irani’s sentiments about Colombia’s athletes rings true. Although the country ranks 26th in terms of overall Total medals won at a Senior World event, Colombian weightlifters have bagged some big wins — and huge lifts — in recent years.
At the 2021 WWC in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 96-kilogram lifter Lesman Paredes Montaño set a 187-kilogram world record snatch on his way to winning the competition overall.
Of the three weightlifters Colombia sent to partake in the 2020 Summer Olympics — Luis Javier Mosquera, Brayan Rodallegas, and Mercedes Pérez — Mosquera was the only one to take to the podium for his home country when he won silver in the Men’s 67-kilogram event. With Bogota on the horizon, Mosquera, Paredes Montaño, and the rest of the Colombian roster are sure to be training hard to ensure a strong performance on their home turf.
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