Weightlifting

Weightlifting

Weightlifting, or Olympic-style weightlifting, often simply referred to as weightlifting, is a sport in which the athlete attempts a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates.

The two competition lifts in order are the snatch and the clean and jerk. The snatch is a wide-grip, one-move lift. The clean and jerk is a close-grip, two-move lift. Each weightlifter receives three attempts in each, and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a bodyweight category.

In comparison with other strength sports, which test limit strength (with or without lifting aids), weightlifting tests aspects of human ballistic limits (explosive strength); the lifts are therefore executed faster—and with more mobility and a greater range of motion during their execution—than other strength movements.

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Age categories

Men & Women: 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+, 75+, 80+

The age category you will compete in for Weightlifting will be determined as at 31 December of the year of the event. For example, if you are 39 during Games time but have turned 40 by 31 December, you would compete in the 40-44 age category.

Weight categories

Men: 56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg, 94kg, 105kg, 105kg+
Women: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 75kg, 75kg+

Events and disciplines

Clean & Jerk
Snatch

“The IMGA doesn’t allow building new venues and encourages the host cities to use existing facilities to keep the costs lower. Therefore, all sport information is subject to changes depending on the venues available.”

Athlete Comments & Reviews

“I do many sports so I can choose what my body is capable of”

“You have to keep moving, I had a new start after my new hips at 60-61 so I’ve got another 15 years at least hopefully. Luckily I do a lot of sailing as well, and swimming. So there are other sports if I can’t play tennis any longer but I love to keep going for as long as possible.”

“You might compete against World Champions”

“Masters Games, you never know who the competition is going to be until you have a few races. Quite often they’re former Olympians or World Champions in their day. You get a very broad spectrum of athletes and their abilities over their lives which is a really good thing really.”

“I compete to be healthy, inspired by the older athletes”

“The first year I competed in the Swiss Masters Athletics, the guys that were 60 – 65 – 70 years old, they were my inspiration. I switched my mind to say: I still compete but I want to be healthy the rest of my life. They are the models.”

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