On July 5, 2025, the AWF Executive Board convened at the Hilton Astana Hotel, alongside the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2025 in Astana. This meeting held particular significance as it marked the first time the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) new bodyweight categories were implemented in a major Asian event.
The agenda for the meeting covered a range of crucial topics, commencing with welcome speeches delivered by Mr. Mohammed Yousef Almana, AWF President, and Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi, AWF General Secretary, followed by a welcome address from the Organizing Committee of the championships.
Subsequent discussions included detailed reports from key AWF committees: the Technical Committee, the Coaching & Research Committee, and the Medical Committee. These reports likely provided updates on the latest developments, challenges, and advancements within their respective domains.
Further on the agenda were discussions concerning the IWF Coaching License and upcoming IWF Coaching Seminars, underscoring the AWF’s commitment to enhancing coaching standards and education within the continent.
Important future events were also on the table, with updates and planning discussions around the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. A significant point of discussion was the host presentation for the 2026 Asian Youth & Junior Championships, which is slated to take place in Uzbekistan.
The emphasis throughout the meeting on the adoption of the IWF’s new bodyweight categories highlighted a pivotal moment for Asian weightlifting, aligning the continent with global standards and fostering fair competition under the revised regulations. This gathering in Astana underscored the AWF’s proactive role in the development and governance of weightlifting in Asia.
