Weightlifting

Introduction

Weightlifting, as the name suggests, is a sport in which athletes lift a barbell loaded with weight plates. They are allowed three attempts at any one weight and after each successful lift, the weight is increased. The winner is the one who lifts the heaviest weight. The two main techniques of weightlifting are: the "snatch" and the "clean and jerk". This sport has its roots in the early civilizations of Egypt while the modern sport of weightlifting was originated in the 19th century in Europe. Powerlifting is governed by International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

Objective

To lift the heaviest weight possible according to their body weight to win the competition.

History of Weightlifting

Weightlifting has a long history. For some ancient clans, the customary trial of masculinity was the lifting of an extraordinary rock. Such masculinity stones, some with the name of the first lifter etched, exist in Greece and Scottish mansions. The competitive lifting of stones continues locally in Germany, Switzerland, the good countries of Montenegro, and the Basque area of Spain. In numerous such occasions, the sequential number of lifts inside a given timespan is utilised to pronounce a champ. 

The birthplaces of current weightlifting rivalry are to be found in the eighteenth and nineteenth century strong men, for example, Eugene Sandow and Arthur Saxon of Germany, George Hackenschmidt of Russia, and Louis Apollon of France, who performed in carnivals and theatres.

International competitions were started being held in London in 1891. The restored Olympic Games of 1896 included weightlifting occasions, as did the Games of 1900 and 1904, yet from that point, these occasions were suspended until 1920. In that year, at the proposal of the International Olympic Committee, the International Weightlifting Federation (Fédération Haltérophile Internationale; FHI) was framed to regularise occasions and regulate global competitions. By 1928 the one-and two-hand lifts of previous Games had offered an approach to just two-hand lifts:  the clean and jerk, the clean and press, and the snatch. The press was abandoned in 1972.

In the Games before World War II, the main weightlifters were French, German, and Egyptian. After the war American weightlifters were overwhelming until 1953. From that point, Soviet and Bulgarian weightlifters held a virtual monopoly on world records and titles. By the late 1990s, the main nations contending in weightlifting were Turkey, Greece, and China. Big showdowns were held in 1922– 23 and from 1937, except amid the war years, and European titles were conducted from 1924 through 1936. A weightlifting rivalry for ladies was added to the Olympic Games in 2000.

Events

The Snatch

Snatch is the first lift in the competition in which an athlete lifts the barbell over his/her head in a single continuous motion. He/she can’t take a pause during the lift.

Clean And Jerk

This event is divided into two parts-

Clean

Athletes first raise the barbell from the ground to the shoulder level.

Jerk

After first step (clean), athletes lift the barbell from the shoulder level above their head until their arms and legs are in a straight position.

Participants

In this sport, male and female athletes compete individually in different bodyweight categories. There are eight male divisions (56kg, 62 kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg, 94kg, 105kg and above 105kg) and seven female divisions (48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 75kg, 90kg and above 90kg).

Equipment

Weightlifting - Collars

Weight plates are secured to the barbell using collars on each side having weight of 2.5kg each.

Weightlifting - Iron Plates

Smaller iron plates are also used to add smaller weights to the bar. These are coded as: 0.5 kg is white, 1kg is green, 1.5kg is yellow, 2kg is blue, 2.5kg is red and 5kg is white. 

Weightlifting - Bumper Plates

Bumper plates are widely used in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit style workouts. It is a type of weight plate which is manufactured entirely from rubber or urethane.

Weightlifting - Barbell

A Barbell is an exercise equipment consisting of a steel bar used to hold weight plates of different weights on its ends and is often secured with collars to secure the weight on its place. The length of the barbell ranges in length from 4 to 8 ft. 

Wrist bandages

Weightlifters use wrist bandages to prevent exaggerated and uncomfortable wrist movements during lifts.

Weightlifting - Shoes

The shoes have rigid soles with raised heels of around 0.5” to .75” with one or two straps that tighten the instep of the shoes.

Weightlifting - Belt

Weightlifters wear a protective belt to support lower back and abdomen during lifts. It should not be more than 12 cm in width.

Lifting Strap

These straps allow the weight lifter to lift more amount of weight as they help in transferring the load to the wrists and thereby warding off the blocks in grip strength and forearm muscles.

Weightlifting - Singlet

Weightlifters wear a tight-fitting, one-piece leotard that leaves the knees and elbows uncovered. T-shirt under a singlet is optional.

Playing Area

The competition takes place on a 4m square made of wood, plastic or any other solid material which is covered with a non-slip material. The platform is about 50-150mm high from the ground.

Techniques

Snatch

• First the athlete grips the bar with hands wide apart.
• Then he/she straightens his/her knees to pull the weight upwards.
• After this, the knees may be bent again to raise the barbell to a maximum height over the weightlifter’s head.
• At last, the weightlifter straightens his/her knees and locks his/her arm joints to control the weight over the head.

Clean And Jerk

• First, the athlete grips the bar with hands wide apart.
• Then he/she straightens his/her knees to pull the weight upwards to the shoulder level.
• After this, the knees are bent again and arms are stretched up straight to raise the barbell to a maximum height over the weightlifter’s head.
• At last, legs and straightened and are locked to complete the lift. The athlete must remain in this position until the judges’ signal.

Officials

Referee

Judges the lift and decides whether it was successful or not.

Side Judges

Together with the referee, two side judges decide whether the lift was successful or not.

Secretary

He/she is responsible for running the competition.

Technical Controllers

Assist the secretary in his work.

Timekeeper

Responsible for operating the competition clock.