GANDHINAGAR, INDIA – The Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) has officially released the Start List for the highly anticipated 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships. The event is scheduled to take place from May 9 to May 17 in the city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
With the registration system now closed, the AWF has confirmed that 172 world-class athletes from 28 Member Federations will participate. This gathering represents the very best of Asian weightlifting as the sport looks ahead to the next Olympic cycle.
A Field of Champions
The competition in Gandhinagar promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The verified entry list features a “who’s who” of weightlifting, including several Olympic Gold medalists and current World Champions:
Liu Huanhua (CHN): The Paris 2024 Olympic Champion and 2023 World Champion.
Fares Ibrahim El-Bakh (QAT): The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion.
Park Hye-jeong (KOR): The 2025 World Champion and Paris 2024 Silver Medalist.
North Korean Powerhouses: 2025 World Champions Kang Hyon Gyong (53kg) and Ri Suk (63kg).
Gor Minasyan (BRN): The Paris 2024 Olympic Medalist and heavyweight standout.
Liao Guifang (CHN) & Chen Guan-ling (TPE): Both decorated World Champions returning to the platform.
Important Leadership Meetings
In addition to the action on the lifting platform, the AWF will hold two major administrative meetings to discuss the governance and future of the sport:
Executive Board Meeting: Officials will review hosting bids for the December 2026 Electoral Congress. Four nations are currently competing for the honor: Iran, Maldives, Qatar, and Singapore.
AWF Congress: Delegations from across Asia will meet to discuss the strategic roadmap for the 2028 Olympic Games, focusing on technical rules and strict anti-doping protocols.
Venue and Technical Details
The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) has confirmed that the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre is fully prepared to host the athletes. All technical equipment and facilities are in place to meet international standards.
The AWF expressed its gratitude to the participating national teams for completing their registration and “A-Entry” verification on time, ensuring a smooth start to the tournament.
Get the Full List:
The complete official List of Final Entries, including weight categories and entry totals, can be downloaded by media and federations at the official website: awf.sport.
