Nagoya, Japan: From July 1st to 4th, representatives from the Asian Weightlifting Federation and the Japan Weightlifting Association visited city Nagoya to inspect the competition and training venue for the upcoming XX Asian Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The visit included prominent figures such as AWF General Secretary Mr. Mohammed Alharbi and AWF Technical Committee Member Mrs. Reiko Kato Chinen, who serves as the Technical Delegate for the event. The travel of officials has started from Osaka to Nagoya. Nagoya Station, that is the main train station for many venues, is accessible from Osaka Station (50 min) and Tokyo Station (1h 30 min) by bullet train.
Venue Inspection and Preparations
The delegation, which also included officials from AINAGOC, SPT, VNI, OFS, and Nagoya City Hall, toured the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Centre that will be the venue for weightlifting events. The type of venue is Standalone, with total area of 28,172㎡ and having 3 large indoor spaces for weightlifting competition and training site and the back of house.
Competition and Training Venue will be in one of those 3 spaces, “Fukiage Hall”, having 5,327 ㎡ area, concrete floor, 5t/㎡ floor load capacity and 11.5m ceiling hight. The other 2 spaces (with 1,838㎡ and 915㎡) will be used for back of house purposes only. The General Secretary commented that the sizes of the area and the height of Fukiage Hall is enough for weightlifting competition, although AWF has to inspect onsite.
Planning for Test Events
In general, AWF praised the venue and agreed to cooperate for further discussion. On the occasion of Q&A session of the site visit, JWA requested AINAGOC for the option and the cost which AINAGOC may cover for the test event. Among all parties, National Championships, JPN-KOR-CHN Friendship Tournament, East Asian Championships were raised as example for the options plus Mr. Alharbi suggested hosting Grand Prix with less bodyweight categories and less participating nations.
Regarding the cost which AINAGOC covers, AINAGOC clarified that it will cover venue rental fee and the cost for testing items only. The scheduled venue for weightlifting is Nagoya City Trade and Industry Centre. The venue is located within central area of Nagoya City.
Accommodation and Logistics
AINAGOC explained that Accommodation (ACM) FA has been allocating Teams to different hotels including cruise ship by sport, and ACM FA is trying to achieve keeping same services level among all hotels / cruise ship(s).
Mr. Mohammed Alharbi emphasized the need for International Technical Officials to be accommodated in single rooms due to their varying work schedules and stressed that the commute for weightlifting participants should not exceed 30 minutes between the hotels and the Competition/Training venue. “Efficiency and comfort for our officials and athletes are top priorities,” stated AWF General Secretary.
Collaborative Efforts for Success
The visit concluded with a productive meeting between AWF delegates and AINAGOC officials, including Secretary General Mr. Satoshi Murate and Deputy Secretary General Mr. Kazuhiro Yagi. Mrs. Reiko Kato Chinen highlighted the importance of these collaborative efforts, stating, “Our joint commitment and cooperation are crucial for the successful delivery of the Asian Games. We look forward to working together to achieve this goal.”
Mr. Alharbi echoed this sentiment, saying, “The partnership between AWF and the Japan Weightlifting Association is strong. Together, we are confident that we will deliver an exceptional event that will be remembered for years to come.”
This visit marks a significant milestone in the preparations for the XX Asian Games 2026, underscoring the importance of detailed planning and international cooperation. With continued efforts, Nagoya is poised to host an outstanding event, showcasing top athletic talent and organizational excellence.
The AWF in cooperation with AINAGOC are committed to making the weightlifting competition a highlight of the Games, ensuring a memorable experience for all involved.
Successful Completion of Technical Visit
The officials who conducted a technical visit to Nagoya City for the meticulous preparation of the XX Asian Games have successfully completed their mission. As they departed, they wished AINAGOC the best of luck in preparing the weightlifting competition and training venues to the highest standards. In turn, AINAGOC officials bid farewell to their guests, extending a warm invitation for future visits.
