Why doesn't the IWF adopt the 2011 IPF weight classes?

[NotSwoleBrah]

I think Olympic weightlifting could fare a little better, especially for the guys who weigh 100+ kilos. Instead of changing every few years and reducing the weight classes, the IWF should share the same weight classes as the IPF.

Post 2011 IPF Weight Classes

Men; 59 kg, 66 kg, 74 kg, 83 kg, 93 kg, 105 kg, 120 kg, 120 kg+
Women; 47 kg, 52 kg, 57 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg, 84 kg, 84 kg +

As compared to the current IWF weight classes...

Men; 56 kg, 62 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 85 kg, 94 kg, 105 kg, 105+ kg
Women; 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, 75+ kg

[CHS55]

It would make a greater spread of weight classes (especially for women! 75 kilos shouldn't be considered a super heavy) but I don't necessarily think that it should necessarily be synced with powerlifting if that makes sense.

[WHT_LIGHTNING]

nooooooooooooooo

then i would have to cut an extra kilo, lol

I do think they should add a 120 or a 125 class and then a shw class though

[fraverdenstreet]

we fear change.
id say not to because they might wipe the records again. fk that

[jagboy]

It would make a greater spread of weight classes (especially for women! 75 kilos shouldn't be considered a super heavy) but I don't necessarily think that it should necessarily be synced with powerlifting if that makes sense.

this they should just add a 120kg class to the mens. But i like the womens spread from the IPF

[MikeWittmer]

I think Olympic weightlifting could fare a little better, especially for the guys who weigh 100+ kilos. Instead of changing every few years and reducing the weight classes, the IWF should share the same weight classes as the IPF.

Post 2011 IPF Weight Classes

Men; 59 kg, 66 kg, 74 kg, 83 kg, 93 kg, 105 kg, 120 kg, 120 kg+
Women; 47 kg, 52 kg, 57 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg, 84 kg, 84 kg +

As compared to the current IWF weight classes...

Men; 56 kg, 62 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 85 kg, 94 kg, 105 kg, 105+ kg
Women; 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, 75+ kg

There are over 200 member countries in the IWF and many, if not most, have smaller people than the US. Look at the Asians. As it is, the SHWT class probably has the least depth worldwide, the 105s may be next.


I expect it would be very similar for the women. Our top supers place fairly high internationally, there just are not a lot of big, and athletic, women.

Besides, there is no way the IPF will drive the IWF.

[disgorge89]

adding 115-117kg between shw and 105 seems pretty reasonable. Hopefully they could maintain all the records and make no other changes though.

[SquinkysGhost]

These would be my choices:

-Under 60, 60-80, 80-115/120, over 115/120 in all smaller meets, nationals, world championships etc.
-1 open class for olympics! Olympics are for the best of the best. No need to equalize.

[codordoa]

the current womens shw is ridiculous, it could definitely use an intermediate class besides just 75 and +75

[CHS55]

The records would have to be changed if the weight classes changed. You can't really add a weight class; weightlifting only gets so about 450 spots in the Olympics (don't quote me on this number as it might not be exact) so just adding a weight class would reduce the number of lifters in other classes.

[Torrtrefireto]

There are over 200 member countries in the IWF and many, if not most, have smaller people than the US. Look at the Asians. As it is, the SHWT class probably has the least depth worldwide, the 105s may be next.


I expect it would be very similar for the women. Our top supers place fairly high internationally, there just are not a lot of big, and athletic, women.

Besides, there is no way the IPF will drive the IWF.

A grand majority of powerlifting in the IPF also occurs outside the United States. The IPF weight classes are similarly more stacked towards the bottom. Your stereotypical fat bald 'hardcore' powerlifter does not lift in the IPF.

I think if anything the IPF should've changed theirs to more closely resemble the IWF, especially for women's. I wouldn't be surprised if over half of IPF women were under 60kg and the classes should reflect that

[feces99]

it would **** up EVERYONE's training. if they would change it, it would be after the Olympics.

[MikeWittmer]

The records would have to be changed if the weight classes changed. You can't really add a weight class; weightlifting only gets so about 450 spots in the Olympics (don't quote me on this number as it might not be exact) so just adding a weight class would reduce the number of lifters in other classes.

Interestingly, because of the numbers game, there was talk, just talk, of alternating weight classes each Olympiad.

For example: 56, 69, 85 and 105 in 2016 and 62, 77, 94 and 105+ in 2020. Can't beleive that would ever happen, but they did talk about it. Probably in response to the possibility that weightlifting slots woud be cut further.

[fraverdenstreet]

Interestingly, because of the numbers game, there was talk, just talk, of alternating weight classes each Olympiad.

For example: 56, 69, 85 and 105 in 2016 and 62, 77, 94 and 105+ in 2020. Can't beleive that would ever happen, but they did talk about it. Probably in response to the possibility that weightlifting slots woud be cut further.

eww. i hope not.