News

[Hawkpeter]

IWF Athlete Commission now has its own web page - can anyone actually see on this page how an athlete would contact the AC or anyone who sits on it? I feel like that is kind of important.

https://ac.iwf.sport/

[erpel]

You write an individual's IG message (the IG is not linked).

(I have no idea, doesn't seem to be any new @iwf.net email address)

[strapping]

IWF Athlete Commission now has its own web page - can anyone actually see on this page how an athlete would contact the AC or anyone who sits on it? I feel like that is kind of important.

https://ac.iwf.sport/

Instagram DM would be my best guess as per Erpel.

I see the electoral/representative democracy of the athlete's commission as a sham. In reality, most of the time elected representatives differ in words and not deeds, as they are beholden to those who feed them (i.e. federation political interests). The people get a vote on representatives, just not democracy of anything meaningful. No forms of direct democracy, no structural guarantees of equitable representation and so on.

In rare scenarios, you can get elected representatives who really truly do care about reaching out to the people and handling their grievances equitably. The problem also remains that those who innocently seek meaningful change against the powers that be frequently find themselves insufficiently fortified against counter-revolution stoked by those former (and again) powers. This is a problem across and beyond sports.

It is not lost on me that the two AC reps initially "elected" were simply appointed out of political convenience to people "formerly" well connected to Ajan.

I don't aim to be pessimistic; I am just describing what I see. If the IWF were to make decisions harmful to the athlete base, I don't expect the AC to have any power to stop it through electoralism. Other means would be needed.

[strapping]

https://iwf.sport/2026/02/02/qualificat ... -approved/

[brian.degennaro]

Lasha appears to be returning to training. Do we think he has any chance returning to 210+/250+ shape or is he washed up?

Personally, I don't think he will return to form like we saw with his 225/267 lifts, but I think he may perform better (healthier?) than some anticipate. I believe the break after Paris likely is a positive for his health and training.

[Hawkpeter]

I dont think the qualification schedule does him any favours. Its true that he doesnt need to go to maximum in 5 qualifiers leading to LA28 but will pride prevent him and Team Georgia from pushing a schedule that leads to break down?

Lalayan and Gor aren't going to get any better however, and unless someone emerges who can be competitive in both lifts he may well be able to total 460 for some time and win. Even when he was clearly injured at 2022 Euros he was able to do 462 for Gold.

[Hawkpeter]

Knowing nothing about this, it seems reasonably serious though.

https://sportintegrity.ca/news/weightli ... rt-program

[strapping]

Knowing nothing about this, it seems reasonably serious though.

https://sportintegrity.ca/news/weightli ... rt-program

I have heard the story behind this is rather dull. Supposedly, WCH simply has a lack of administrative capacity at the moment (due to a member stepping away) leading to failure to comply with reporting obligations to CSSP. They put out an advertisement for an admin assistant role in January this year.

[Hawkpeter]

At the Arnold, Olivia Reeves went 125/154 weighing 72.10kg, missed 160. An an interview previously she mentioned her intention to lift at 69kg for Pan Ams and then revert to 77 for the remainder of the Olympic quad. Given the 69 records are 120/150 currently, I assume if that remains the plan, that she will attempt to reset those world records before moving up.

Some very impressive female results in that competition. Miranda Ulrey 95/115 @ 53, that would have been good enough for Silver in the total at Worlds and Gold in the snatch.

Sophia Shaft 107/133 @ 63kg (weigh 62.45). That would have been good enough to beat Maude in Norway for Silver.

Mattie Rogers still consistently putting up competitive reps. Went 6 for 6 at 113/143 @ 77kg. That would have won Silver at worlds behind Reeves.

[strapping]

125/154 exactly matches Liao Guifang at 2025 Asian Champs, weighing 74.84. Liao missed 157 at that competition, but made 158 at Chinese National Games. I think if Reeves can really get her bodyweight up, she'll have a slight advantage but only slight. Certainly not enough to count out Liao. Exciting times.

I think the USA will be quite strong if the Olympics go ahead as planned; still many open questions that make one nervous.