The Olympics cut the number of weight classes in the Olympics down to 7 male and 7 female weight classes. Other meets such as the World Championships will still have 10 male and 10 female weight classes. As a result, IWF had to restructure the weight classes into a format that makes sense for both competitions. The new approved men's weight classes are below. The one's with an asterisk (*) will not be at the Olympics:
55* - 61 - 67 - 73 - 81 - 89* - 96 - 102* - 109 - 109+
As far as the impact on Iranian weightlifters, Salimi and Alihosseini are not impacted really at all as they are both well over 109+. Ali Hashemi and Alireza Soleimani (and Mohammadreza Barari) will likely move up to 109, which is 4 kg over where they were previously. Sohrab Moradi and Ayoub Mousavi will move up to 96 which is 2 kg over where they were previously.
For Kianoush Rostami, he has to make a decision: either cut from his existing class of 85kg to 81kg, or move up to 96kg with Sohrab. He has been training above 85kg and recently competed as a 94kg in an Iranian meet, but its unlikely he was much heavier than 90kg if at all. 96kg would be a big move for him. But 81kg may be tough. Unfortunate situation, but Tian Tao, Arley Mendez, Sincrain, Aughadov, Ulanov and all existing 85s are all in the same boat. I actually think it will help Iranian Ali Miri as 85kg seemed a little heavy for him.
A similar situation exists for the former 69kg women. The new 71kg women category is not an Olympic weight class so women in that class will need to either move down to 64 or up to 76kg.
http://www.iwf.net/2018/07/05/new-bo...ecutive-board/
55* - 61 - 67 - 73 - 81 - 89* - 96 - 102* - 109 - 109+
As far as the impact on Iranian weightlifters, Salimi and Alihosseini are not impacted really at all as they are both well over 109+. Ali Hashemi and Alireza Soleimani (and Mohammadreza Barari) will likely move up to 109, which is 4 kg over where they were previously. Sohrab Moradi and Ayoub Mousavi will move up to 96 which is 2 kg over where they were previously.
For Kianoush Rostami, he has to make a decision: either cut from his existing class of 85kg to 81kg, or move up to 96kg with Sohrab. He has been training above 85kg and recently competed as a 94kg in an Iranian meet, but its unlikely he was much heavier than 90kg if at all. 96kg would be a big move for him. But 81kg may be tough. Unfortunate situation, but Tian Tao, Arley Mendez, Sincrain, Aughadov, Ulanov and all existing 85s are all in the same boat. I actually think it will help Iranian Ali Miri as 85kg seemed a little heavy for him.
A similar situation exists for the former 69kg women. The new 71kg women category is not an Olympic weight class so women in that class will need to either move down to 64 or up to 76kg.
http://www.iwf.net/2018/07/05/new-bo...ecutive-board/
Comment