On 16 November, a delegation from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) visited Shilong, Dongguan, where they donated a collection of significant artifacts to the Shilong Weightlifting Museum, China’s first institution dedicated entirely to the history and development of weightlifting. For the Asian weightlifting community, the visit marked a meaningful step in expanding international cooperation and safeguarding the sport’s historical legacy.
The event was attended by Liu Chengliang, President of the Chinese Weightlifting Association, along with two of China’s current Olympic champions:
• Hou Zhihui, women’s 49kg gold medalist at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
• Luo Shifang, women’s 59kg gold medalist at Paris 2024
Their participation highlighted China’s continued leadership in global weightlifting and reinforced Shilong’s importance as a cultural center for the sport.
This visit was the first to Shilong by IWF Vice President and AWF General Secretary Mohammed Al Harbi, who expressed admiration for the museum and its mission. “Seeing a museum dedicated to weightlifting makes me deeply proud,” he said. “This is by no means my last visit here. I will come again and again, and I will invite more weightlifting federations to come.” He also noted his intention to encourage federations worldwide to contribute artifacts, further strengthening the museum’s international collection.
The donation ceremony formed a central part of the program. The IWF presented several historically valuable items, including:
• A 2012 London Olympic Games jacket
• Mascots of the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games
• Medals from the 2021 World Junior Weightlifting Championships
• Medals from the 2023 IWF World Championships
These contributions enrich the museum’s archive and help document key milestones from the sport’s modern era.
As part of the cultural exchange, IWF representatives signed red-lacquered wooden clogs, an item recognized as a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage of Shilong. This symbolic gesture connected visiting officials with the local traditions that form an integral part of the town’s identity.
The delegation also visited classrooms within the museum complex, previously part of Shilong’s sports school, where they met with students and young athletes. During an interactive session, IWF President Mohammed Jalood shared his personal journey from athlete to administrator.
“I started weightlifting training in 1974, participated in international competitions in 1979, and now I am the IWF President,” Jalood told the students. “In the future, perhaps some of you young weightlifters will also become IWF Presidents.”
IWF Secretary-General Mohammed Al Harbi emphasized the long-term significance of the museum’s role, noting that such initiatives preserve the sport’s history, honor the achievements of champions, and chronicle the evolution of weightlifting across generations.
The visit strengthened ties between the IWF and the Chinese Weightlifting Association while underscoring the importance of cultural institutions in promoting the sport’s heritage. By bringing together international leaders, Olympic champions, and young athletes, the event highlighted the growing global effort to protect and celebrate the legacy of weightlifting.
