The preliminary start list for the 2026 AWF Asian Senior (Men & Women) Weightlifting Championships has been finalized following the completion of the athlete registration process through the AWF A-Entry system. The continental competition will take place in Gandhinagar, India, from 1 to 10 April 2026, and the current start list provides the first detailed overview of the athletes expected to compete in one of the most important weightlifting events in Asia this year.
The Asian Weightlifting Federation confirmed that all participating Member Federations submitted their registrations through the digital entry platform, marking another step in the modernization of competition administration. The preliminary start list reflects the declared athlete entries submitted by national federations and forms the basis for the final verification process that will precede the championship.
Strong Continental Participation
According to the registered entries, the 2026 Asian Championships will feature approximately 260 athletes from 30 Member Federations, illustrating the wide competitive reach of weightlifting across the continent. The participation numbers confirm the championship’s status as the most important annual continental event in Asian weightlifting.
The athlete distribution between the two competitions shows a strong representation across both genders.
• 155 athletes are registered in the men’s events
• 105 athletes are entered in the women’s categories
These figures demonstrate the continued expansion of women’s participation in the sport while maintaining a balanced and competitive field across all weight categories.
Host Nation India Among the Largest Delegations
As host nation, India has entered one of the largest teams in the competition, reflecting both national engagement with the event and the country’s growing role in Asian weightlifting development.
India shares the largest delegation size with Chinese Taipei, with both federations registering 20 athletes (16 main athletes and 4 reserves) across the men’s and women’s divisions.
Several other major weightlifting nations have also submitted strong teams, including China, Iran, Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, and Syria. These federations have historically played prominent roles in continental competitions and are expected to influence the overall medal standings in Gandhinagar.
Distribution Across Weight Categories
The preliminary start list also provides insight into participation trends across the official bodyweight categories.
In the men’s competition, the middleweight divisions show the highest number of entries, reflecting a pattern commonly observed in international competitions.
• The 79 kg category currently has the largest field with 24 athletes
• The 88 kg category follows with 22 athletes
• The 65 kg, 71 kg, 94 kg, and 110 kg categories each include approximately 19 athletes
These divisions often produce some of the most competitive sessions due to the balance between strength and technical efficiency typical of middleweight lifters.
The men’s super heavyweight category (+110 kg) also stands out with several athletes declaring exceptionally high entry totals, suggesting that the category may produce some of the most anticipated contests of the championship.
In the women’s competition, strong participation is visible in both lighter and middleweight divisions.
• The 53 kg category currently includes 16 athletes
• The 48 kg category has 15 athletes
• The 63 kg category also counts 15 athletes
• The 58 kg category features 14 athletes
These categories have traditionally produced highly competitive sessions in Asian championships, where technical precision and tactical lifting strategies often determine the final podium results.
Elite Athletes in the Heavyweight Divisions
Among the most closely watched competitions will be the men’s super heavyweight category, where several internationally recognized athletes have declared some of the highest entry totals of the championship.
The preliminary entries include:
• Gor Minasyan (Bahrain) – declared entry total 450 kg
• Alireza Yousefi (Iran) – 410 kg
• Hwang Wooman (Korea) – 410 kg
• Song Yeonghwan (Korea) – 410 kg
• Chen Po-Jen (Chinese Taipei) – 400 kg
• Liu Huanhua (China) – 400 kg
These athletes represent nations with strong traditions in heavyweight lifting and are expected to produce one of the most competitive sessions of the championships.
Regional Representation
The preliminary start list also reflects the geographic diversity of Asian weightlifting programs. Based on current entries, the approximate regional representation is as follows:
• East Asia: ~35%
• West Asia: ~25%
• Central Asia: ~20%
• South Asia: ~15%
• Southeast Asia: ~5%
This distribution illustrates the broad participation across the continent and highlights the continued expansion of competitive weightlifting programs in multiple regions.
Next Step: Final Verification
It is important to note that the current document represents the preliminary start list based on the entries submitted by Member Federations. The final online verification will take place on 16 March, during which federations will have the opportunity to confirm or adjust athlete information.
Following the completion of this verification process, the official start list and detailed competition timetable will be published, providing the final structure of the championship schedule.
