Asian Weightlifting Championship in India Brings Olympic, World Medal Stars to Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad.May 10, 2026: India is set to host one of the strongest continental weightlifting fields in recent years as Olympic champions, world champions, and Asian medal hopefuls arrive for the 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships, scheduled at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, from May 12.

Organised under the aegis of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, the championship is expected to witness participation from 31 nations, with around 200 athletes, 200 team officials, 50 international technical officials and 50 VIP guests and dignitaries, including senior functionaries of the International Weightlifting Federation and Asian Weightlifting Federation.

According to the championship start book, the competition field includes 172 listed lifters from 28 Asian teams, with 98 men and 74 women entered across weight categories. The entries underline the world-class character of the event, with strong contingents from traditional weightlifting powers such as China, North Korea, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, India, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Qatar and Bahrain.

The participation from both South and North Korea is among the most notable highlights of the championship. The Republic of Korea has entered 13 athletes — seven men and six women — while DPR Korea has fielded 11 lifters, including six men and five women. Their presence is expected to add high competitive value to the championship, given Korea’s strong record in world weightlifting.

Among the biggest names from South Korea is Park Hye-jeong, entered in the women’s +86kg category. Park, one of the most prominent Korean weightlifters on the international circuit, is expected to be among the major attractions of the tournament. South Korea’s line-up also includes Kim Iseul in the women’s 77kg, Jang Hyeonju in the women’s 86kg, Lee Seongwon and Jo Daehee in the men’s 88kg, Kim Yushin in the men’s 94kg, and Song Yeonghwan and Hwang Wooman in the men’s +110kg category.

DPR Korea’s participation is equally significant, with several high-ranking athletes entered across women’s and men’s categories. Kang Hyon Gyong will compete in the women’s 53kg, Kim Il Gyong in 58kg, Ri Suk in 63kg, Song Kuk Hyang in 69kg and Kim Kyong Ryong in 77kg. In the men’s events, DPR Korea has entries including Cholpang Un in 60kg, Pak Myong Jin in 65kg, Juri Won in 71kg, Ri Ryong Hyon and Song Ri Chong in 79kg, and Ro Kwang Ryol in 88kg.

Japan will also have representation at the championship, with Yui Miyagoe listed in the women’s 69kg category. Though Japan’s entry is smaller than those of other Asian powerhouses, its participation adds further depth to the regional spread of the event.

China, India and Sri Lanka have entered among the largest squads, with 16 athletes each. Chinese Taipei follows closely with 15 lifters, while South Korea has 13 and DPR Korea 11. Kuwait has entered 10 athletes, Bangladesh and Malaysia nine each, and several Central Asian and Gulf nations have also fielded strong contenders.

The championship will feature some of the sport’s biggest international names. China’s Liu Huanhua, listed in the men’s 110kg category, comes with the profile of a Paris 2024 Olympic champion and 2023 world champion. Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim El-Bakh, entered in the men’s 94kg, is another Olympic champion in the field. Bahrain’s Gor Minasyan, a Paris 2024 Olympic medallist, is listed in the men’s +110kg category.

The women’s field is equally formidable. China’s Liao Guifang, listed in the 77kg category, Chinese Taipei’s Chen Guan-Ling in the 58kg, and South Korea’s Park Hye-jeong in the +86kg are among the star names expected to lift the competitive standard of the championship. DPR Korea’s strong women’s team, particularly in the 53kg, 58kg, 63kg and 69kg categories, is also expected to be closely watched.

For India, the championship is not only an opportunity to host Asia’s best lifters but also to test its own athletes against world-class opposition. India has entered eight men and eight women, giving the host nation representation across all categories. Indian lifters listed include Komal Kohar, Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi, Harjinder Kaur, Sanjana, Vanshita Verma, Martina Devi Maibam, Rishikanta Singh, Raja Muthupandi, Ajith Narayana, Bedabrat Bharali, Abhishek Suresh Nipane, Parv Choudhary, Harcharan Singh and Lovepreet Singh.

The event will formally open at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 12 at 6.30 pm. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will be the chief guest. The guests of honour will include International Weightlifting Federation President and Asian Weightlifting Federation First Vice President Mohammad Hasan Jalood, Asian Weightlifting Federation President Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, and AWF General Secretary Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi.

The championship is also important for India’s sporting diplomacy and organisational profile. The Indian Weightlifting Federation has described the event as a prestigious occasion, noting that India had earlier hosted major international weightlifting championships in Pune in 2015, Greater Noida in 2023, and Ahmedabad in 2025 for the Commonwealth Championships.

With Olympic champions, world champions, continental medallists and emerging Asian stars competing on Indian soil, Gandhinagar is set to become the centre of Asian weightlifting for a week, offering Indian fans a rare chance to watch some of the world’s strongest athletes in action.