IWF president praises Doha standards at World University Weightlifting Championship

DOHA — International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) President Mohammed Jalood praised the organisational and technical standards at the 10th FISU World University Weightlifting Championship in Doha, saying the opening day’s competition matched the level of major international events.

Jalood said close cooperation between the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation (QCSF), the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the IWF had helped ensure a successful start to the championship.

The cooperation also provided what Jalood described as an ideal environment for the participating athletes and helped deliver competition befitting the event’s international status.

Jalood said Doha’s hosting of the championship was an important step in bringing university weightlifting back to the international calendar. The competition had been suspended after the 2018 edition before returning in Doha this year.

He said the championship’s return represented an important milestone for the sport, while the standard of competition on the opening day demonstrated its value.

Several athletes with previous world championship medals are competing in Doha, adding experience and raising the competitive level, Jalood said.

The IWF president also praised Qatar’s experience in hosting major sporting events and its ability to provide the technical and organisational infrastructure required for international competitions.

“Qatar has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to host sporting events to the highest organisational standards,” Jalood said, adding that the World University Weightlifting Championship continued that tradition.

The championship features 116 athletes from 21 countries competing across 16 men’s and women’s weight categories through Sept. 12.