Weightlifting’s about to get a serious shake-up, and the strength world’s buzzing! On June 1, 2025, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will slash weight categories from 10 to 8 for both men and women — a move BarBend is calling a game-changer.
Why tweak a sport that’s been lifting heavy since the 1896 Olympics? The IWF says it’s about tighter competition and fiercer rivalries — fewer classes mean more athletes battling in each bracket.
Picture the chaos: lighter lifters bulking up, heavier ones cutting down, and coaches rewriting entire strategies. The 2025 World Championships in Førde, Norway, will be ground zero for this shift, and it’s anyone’s guess who’ll come out on top. Will dominant legends like Lasha Talakhadze still reign, or will mid-tier stars steal the spotlight in the new class layout?
Let’s rewind a bit
The IWF has been tweaking weight classes for years — Tokyo 2020 reduced them from 14 to 10 in the name of gender parity and streamlining. Now, the 2025 shift to 8 classes ramps up the pressure even more.
For men, the proposed classes are: 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 81kg, 89kg, 96kg, 102kg, and 109kg+.
For women: 49kg, 55kg, 59kg, 64kg, 71kg, 76kg, 81kg, and 87kg+.
Exact figures are still pending, but the ripple effects are real. For example, the men’s 81kg class might merge into 89kg, forcing lifters to either gain mass or cut fast. Women in the 76kg class might face the same dilemma. Top-tier athletes like China’s Li Wenwen (87kg+ queen) might be unaffected, but borderline lifters are feeling the heat. Precision is now just as important as brute strength in training programs.
Førde’s brutal Nordic winter adds another layer
Cold hands, stiff joints, and packed venues could test endurance just as much as raw strength. Fans are hyped for a fresh competitive slate — every snatch and clean & jerk has the potential to rewrite records.
Take the 96kg snatch world record (211kg by Tian Tao in 2019) — it’s now in the danger zone. A new 89kg or 102kg athlete might blow past it. While coaches brace for chaos, some see opportunity: new champions, new legends. With just 6 months to go, lifters are locking in — peaking cycles, tweaking diets, fine-tuning techniques. This kind of shake-up isn’t new — the 1972 overhaul produced icons. 2025 might too.
What does this mean for you?
If you’re training, now’s the time to adapt. A quality weightlifting belt can keep your form tight as you chase your next PR.
StrengthSports.Club will keep you updated with new category breakdowns, athlete spotlights, and coverage from Førde — lift by lift. This isn’t just a rule change; it’s a full-blown shift in the soul of the sport. June’s coming fast — who’s ready to lift the new world order?
Source: BarBend