Number of Weightlifting Categories to Increase at the 2028 Olympics

The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the inclusion of two additional bodyweight categories in the weightlifting programme for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

As a result, athletes will compete for medals in 12 weight classes — six for men and six for women. The overall athlete quota will remain unchanged at 120 lifters (60 men and 60 women), with 10 competitors per category. The competitions are scheduled to take place from 25 to 29 July 2028.

This decision followed the request of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the initiative of the Athletes’ Commission. According to them, adding new categories will help balance weight groups more fairly, reducing pressure on athletes and lowering health risks.

IWF President Mohammed Jalood noted that the inclusion of additional categories will make the Olympic tournament more spectacular and fair:

“The IOC considered our arguments, and we are very pleased with this step forward. I am confident that Los Angeles will deliver a bright Olympic show that will bring joy both to the fans and to the athletes themselves.”

By the end of 2025, the IWF will determine the exact list of categories to be contested at the Los Angeles Games.

It should be noted that starting from summer 2025, new weightlifting categories will come into force:

Seniors and juniors:
Women: 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 77, 86, +86 kg
Men: 60, 65, 71, 79, 88, 94, 110, +110 kg

The IWF must select six categories each for men and women for the 2028 Olympics. From 2 to 11 October, the first World Championships in the new categories will be held in Førde, Norway.

Schedule of Armenian weightlifters at the 2025 World Championships