Qatar to host 3 International Weightlifting Championships

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December 19, 2025
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19-December-2025

Qatar to host 3 International Weightlifting Championships

Doha:  The Qatar Weightlifting Federation is preparing to host three international championships starting the day after tomorrow, Saturday, and running until 27 December. These include the 10th Qatar Cup 2025, organized by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation; the Arab Weightlifting Championship for youth, juniors and seniors, held under the supervision of the Arab Weightlifting Federation; and the West Asian Weightlifting Championship, organized by the West Asia Weightlifting Federation across the same age categories.

Around 252 male and female lifters from various age groups will take part in the competitions, with most participating countries fielding both men’s and women’s teams, while a few countries are represented by men’s teams only.

The Qatar Cup will feature athletes from 25 countries, while 19 countries will participate in the Arab Championship, and 12 countries in the West Asian Championship.

The championships will see the participation of a number of Olympic medallists, which is expected to raise the level of competition and motivate all athletes to deliver their best performances. Among the participants are Olympic champion Fares Ibrahim, who won an Olympic medal at Tokyo 2020; Iran’s Kianoush Rostami, an Olympic medallist at Rio 2016; and Syrian lifter Man Asaad, who claimed the bronze medal at the same Games.

A total of 36 international referees accredited by the International Weightlifting Federation will officiate the three championships.

Team Qatar will be represented across the three events by six male and female athletes competing in six different weight categories: Fares Ibrahim, Fares Ahmed Jaber, Nader Mohammed Bakr, Abdullah Al Hashemi, Ouissal Ikhlef, and Sara Al Qassibi.

Team Qatar weightlifting is aiming to compete strongly for medals. These championships also represent a valuable opportunity to prepare and equip weightlifters for a new phase of Olympic qualification, particularly those leading to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, in addition to preparations for the 2026 qualifying edition of the Qatar Cup.

In this context, H.E. Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation, and President of the Qatari, Arab, Asian and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations, said:

“We are proud to host this major sporting event, which brings together elite athletes from across the region in weightlifting competitions that reaffirm Qatar’s advanced position on the global sports map.”

He added: “Organizing three championships simultaneously over a short period reflects the scale of our ambitions to develop this sport and support its champions. We are committed to providing the best possible conditions for the participating teams through close coordination with all relevant stakeholders. We also emphasize the importance of these championships in strengthening the competitive spirit of athletes and preparing them for major international competitions, particularly the upcoming Olympic qualifiers.”

Al Mana explained that the three championships are being held with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, who has provided unlimited support, adding: “We will continue our journey towards achieving Qatar’s ambitious sports vision in weightlifting at both continental and international levels.”