India is set to host the prestigious 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar from May 11 to May 17, 2026, bringing together some of the biggest names in world weightlifting.
India is hosting the Asian Weightlifting Championships for the first time in 44 years.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held from April 1 to 10, but was later rescheduled due to tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region.
Around 180 athletes from 28 countries are registered for the championship, making it one of the biggest continental weightlifting events in Asia this year.
The competition also carries major significance as it contributes towards qualification pathways for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Star-studded field featuring Olympic and World champions
The verified entry list includes several Olympic medallists and World Champions, promising high-quality competition across all categories.
Among the biggest attractions is Liu Huanhua, the Paris 2024 Olympic Champion and 2023 World Champion. He will be joined by Fares Ibrahim El-Bakh, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion.
In the women’s events, Park Hye-jeong, the 2025 World Champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist, is set to compete alongside North Korean stars Kang Hyon Gyong and Ri Suk, both reigning World Champions.
The championship will also feature Gor Minasyan, a Paris 2024 Olympic medallist, as well as decorated World Champions Liao Guifang and Chen Guan-ling.
China has historically dominated the Asian Weightlifting Championships and once again enters the tournament as the team to beat. At the 2025 edition in Jiangshan, China topped the medal standings after winning 31 gold medals.
Other traditional powerhouses in Asian weightlifting include North Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran.
India to field largest contingent
India, alongside China and Sri Lanka, will field the largest squad at the championship with 16 lifters each, while Chinese Taipei follows closely with 15 participants.
India will be hoping for an improved showing on home soil after a disappointing campaign at the previous edition held in Jiangshan, China, where only Nirupama Devi and Dilbag Singh represented the country and both failed to reach the podium.
Olympic medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu had skipped the event last year.
India’s squad features several experienced international lifters, including Commonwealth Games medallists Bindyarani Devi and Ajith Narayana, both of whom will be among the country’s strongest medal hopes.
Lifters such as Nirupama Devi, Lovepreet Singh and Bedabarat Bharali will also look to capitalise on home conditions and deliver strong performances.
Weight categories and format
The competition will be contested across eight weight categories, each for men and women.
Men’s categories: 60kg, 65kg, 71kg, 79kg, 88kg, 98kg, 110kg, +110kg
Women’s categories: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, +86kg
Athletes will compete in both snatch and clean & jerk events.
India squad for 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships
Women: Komal Kohar – 48kg, Gyaneshwari Yadav – 53kg, Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam – 58kg, Nirupama Devi Seram – 63kg, Harjinder Kaur – 69kg, Sanjana – 77kg, Vanshita Verma – 86kg, Martina Devi Maibam – +86kg.
Men: Rishikanta Singh Chanambam – 60kg, Raja Muthupandi – 65kg, Ajith Narayana – 71kg, Bedabrat Bharali – 79kg, Abhishek Suresh Nippane – 88kg, Parv Choudhary – 94kg, Harcharan Singh – 110kg, Lovepreet Singh – +110kg
Full schedule
May 10 – AWF Congress and Opening Ceremony
May 11 to 17 – Competition Days
Where to watch
The championship will be broadcast live on DD Sports, Prasar Bharati Sports, WavesOTT, and the Weightlifting House channel.
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