Weightlifting is a sport in which a person competes to lift heavy weights called barbells by using a combination of strength, flexibility, concentration, discipline, technique, mentality, and physical strength. Weightlifting is also a sport competed in the Olympics.
Weightlifters are accustomed to lifting weights twice or even three times their body weight. Weightlifting is a sport with a high risk of injury. Therefore, regular training under the supervision of a professional trainer is needed to prevent injury.
Want to know more about weightlifting ? Here SVRG presents information about this sport!
History of Weightlifting
Weightlifting has a long history. In prehistoric times, many tribes tested their masculinity by holding competitions to lift a special stone. Meanwhile, the origins of modern weightlifting competitions are found in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) was formed in 1905. It organizes world weightlifting championships for men and women every year, except in Olympic years.
Weightlifting has been a sport competed in since the first Olympics held in Athens, Greece in 1896. This Olympics competed in two weightlifting categories, namely one-handed weightlifting and two-handed weightlifting.
However, this sport was not included in the 1904, 1908, and 1912 Olympics. Weightlifting did not reappear until the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, and has continued to be present at the current Olympics.
In Indonesia, the body that oversees the sport of weightlifting is called the All Indonesia Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association or PB PABBSI. Several Indonesian weightlifters have made impressive achievements, starting from the Asian championship, world championship, and medals in the Olympics.
Several weightlifters who have made Indonesia's name famous in the eyes of the world are Lisa Rumbewas (Silver Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics), Triyatno (Silver Medal at the 2012 London Olympics), and Eko Yuli Irawan (Silver Medal at the 2016 Brazil Olympics).
Types of Weightlifting
There are two types of weightlifting that are usually competed in the Olympics, namely:
Snatch
Snatch is a movement when an athlete lifts a barbell from the floor until it is raised above his head in one movement without pausing.
The athlete is allowed to move his feet or squat as he is about to lift the barbell before returning to the upright position. Both hands must lift the weight straight above the head in a perfect standing position for a few seconds.
How to do a snatch:
- The athlete assumes a squatting position behind the barbell with both arms spread wide.
- Hold the bar with palms facing down.
- The waist is pushed straight and the chest is pushed forward.
- The athlete starts standing with his hands still holding the barbell.
- The barbell is then lifted in one quick movement until it is above the head.
- Make sure the barbell is lifted with both arms straight up and a perfect standing position.
- Make sure to hold the barbell for a few seconds before releasing it or dropping it back to the floor.
Clean and Jerk
Clean and Jerk is also one of the types of lifts competed in the sport of weightlifting. This movement consists of two weightlifting movements, namely Clean and Jerk, and allows athletes to use much heavier weights than those used in Snatch.
In this movement, the athlete is asked to lift the barbell to the chest (clean), then the athlete must stop and straighten his arms and legs to lift the barbell above his head (jerk) with a straight arm position. The athlete must hold the barbell above his head until the bell rings.
How to do a Clean and Jerk:
- The athlete stands behind the barbell which is still on the floor.
- Open your legs shoulder-width apart, then assume a bent position like a squat.
- Hold the barbell with your palms facing down.
- The waist is pushed straight and the chest is pushed forward.
- Start lifting the barbell up to your chest.
- Then lift the barbell back up past your head by doing a small jump.
Once the athlete's name is called to the stage, he or she has 60 seconds to begin the weightlifting attempt. The attempt is considered to have started when the bar has reached knee height.
A weightlifter is given three attempts at the Snatch and three attempts at the Clean and Jerk. The athlete's best attempts at the Snatch and Clean and Jerk are then added together, and the athlete with the highest combined weight lifted is declared the winner.
A valid lift is only recorded when an athlete successfully reaches the end position (the barbell is held above the head with straight arms) and holds it until at least two of the three referees give the athlete the signal to lower the barbell. Any other result is considered a failed attempt.
Wrong weightlifting movements
Even if an athlete appears to have successfully completed a weightlifting movement, the attempt can still be declared invalid if several incorrect movements or violations are found. Some of the most common movements or violations committed by athletes are:
- Lifting the barbell overhead with the elbows bent, then extending the arms in a separate movement (known as a press-out).
- Failure to fully straighten the knee upon completion of the lift.
- Leaving the floor or touching any area outside the floor with any part of the body, before the lift is complete.
- Dropping the barbell backwards (back of the athlete).
- Drop the barbell while it is still at shoulder height.
If two participants lift the same weight, the winner is the one with the lower body weight. If the participants' body weights are also the same, the winner is the one with the lower weight.
Participants or athletes are allowed to add weight to the next attempt after successfully lifting the weight.
Athletes are allowed to use kinesio tape on some parts of their body to prevent injuries. Athletes also usually rub chalk on their hands to make them drier before lifting. This can help the barbell from slipping out of wet and slippery hands.
Weightlifting competition class
Weightlifters compete in weight categories, or weight classes, for the sake of fairness to all competitors. Some of the weightlifting classes competed in are:
Men's Category:
- 105+ kg
- 105 kg
- 94 kg
- 85 kg
- 77 kg
- 69 kg
- 62 kg
- 56 kg
Princess Category:
- 75+ kg
- 75 kg
- 69 kg
- 63 kg
- 58 kg
- 53 kg
- 48 kg
In 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the IWF approved a new weight class list for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which reduced the total number of medals from 14 to 10. The five men's and women's weightlifting classes at the 2024 Paris Olympics are:
Men's Category:
- 102+ kg
- 102 kg
- 89 kg
- 73 kg
- 61 kg
Princess Category:
- 81+ kg
- 81 kg
- 71 kg
- 59 kg
- 49 kg
To ensure that athletes do not exceed the weight limit for the category they are competing in, all participating weightlifters are required to weigh in exactly two hours before the start of the competition.
Weigh-ins are also conducted when athletes, usually represented by a coach, determine how many kilograms they will attempt to lift during the initial attempts for the Snatch round and the Clean and Jerk round.
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