2028 Olympic Qualifying

[Hawkpeter]

https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Doc ... System.pdf

The LA 28 qualification system has been released.

Some interesting Easter eggs in the announcement of this system-

And overall total will be used for final rankings.
3 totals will come from 'Period 1'
2 totals will come from 'Period 2'
Best overall lifter of each gender can earn a '4th quota spot' for their country.

If I have interpreted it all properly, it would seem that it will create overall more conservative attempts rather than yeeting for a big total every competition - that's a good thing. It will probably mean that there is less likelihood of direct battles at the final qualifying event like the Rahmat v Riski episode we saw in Thailand.

The 4th quota spot will be attractive for the USA, North Korean & Chinese women's team, on the men's side I'd have to put some thought to the implications.

[erpel]

What is the "official IWF Formula" used to determine the best lifter - ROBI points?

I think it's weird to add +1 via athlete and not NOC. Shouldn't the best country be rewarded with one more spot?

Five mandatory events within two years is going to be (too) expensive (for some countries) again.

The 2028 WWC is set for April - when are the EWC/AWC etc. then?

[strapping]

https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Doc ... System.pdf

The LA 28 qualification system has been released.

Some interesting Easter eggs in the announcement of this system-

And overall total will be used for final rankings.
3 totals will come from 'Period 1'
2 totals will come from 'Period 2'
Best overall lifter of each gender can earn a '4th quota spot' for their country.

If I have interpreted it all properly, it would seem that it will create overall more conservative attempts rather than yeeting for a big total every competition - that's a good thing. It will probably mean that there is less likelihood of direct battles at the final qualifying event like the Rahmat v Riski episode we saw in Thailand.

The 4th quota spot will be attractive for the USA, North Korean & Chinese women's team, on the men's side I'd have to put some thought to the implications.

I am surprised this was let through despite the IOC style guide regarding simplicity and cost of qualification (!!). I hope that there are no issues of athletes not being able to qualify due to things like nationality changes or inability to travel like in Tokyo.

We are going to see some lifters going to 10 events, which is not sustainable and does not allow for time to build the foundations to be able to peak.
Given the issues with competing being making a total, we are going to see some more 40+40 totals from injured or otherwise uninterested and unthreatened athletes.

My prediction as it was for Tokyo and Paris, with this high frequency of competition qualifying system is that the lifters who perform best in the end (certainly relative to capability) will be the ones who prioritise and peak for their important competitions, rather than throwing haymakers for 1.5 years.

What is the "official IWF Formula" used to determine the best lifter - ROBI points?
I think it's weird to add +1 via athlete and not NOC. Shouldn't the best country be rewarded with one more spot?
Five mandatory events within two years is going to be (too) expensive (for some countries) again.

Stop talking sense. It's possible that certain members in the IWF have talked about dropping Robi points (completely nonsensical system), but I won't hold my breath.

The best team award makes far more sense than best lifter, but nothing new. I would struggle to look at any countries other than Indonesia amongst the men that could make use of the best lifter clause but even then, they have great depth but narrow breadth (of categories) in the men. Nasar is a shining star amongst a weakened Bulgaria.

The 2028 WWC is set for April - when are the EWC/AWC etc. then?

February is my best guess.

[erpel]

Aren't five additional qualifiers overkill?

The requirement is 3+2 attendances. This includes WWC+EWC+WWC (=3) in period I and EWC+WWC (=2) in period II.

90% of lifters aiming for the OG will attend the above in any case. Qualifiers are expensive to host (and attend*). With this "dilution" it seems like poor entries - both quantity and quality - will occur.

Why not 2+1 extra events instead of 3+2?

*a MF/NOC can justify sending someone to e.g. the EWC because after all you can call yourself "Euro Champion" in theory. what do you get for winning a qualifier?

[strapping]

Aren't five additional qualifiers overkill?

The requirement is 3+2 attendances. This includes WWC+EWC+WWC (=3) in period I and EWC+WWC (=2) in period II.

90% of lifters aiming for the OG will attend the above in any case. Qualifiers are expensive to host (and attend*). With this "dilution" it seems like poor entries - both quantity and quality - will occur.

Why not 2+1 extra events instead of 3+2?

*a MF/NOC can justify sending someone to e.g. the EWC because after all you can call yourself "Euro Champion" in theory. what do you get for winning a qualifier?

Revenue raising pigs; these events have been advertised to member federations for quite some months with encouragement to make a financial bid to the IWF.