Two new bodyweight categories set to shake up LA2028 weightlifting

In a landmark move for Olympic weightlifting, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has greenlit two additional bodyweight categories: one for men, one for women, cementing the sport’s evolving structure for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, announced Sept. 19

The total athlete quota remains capped at 120, yet the competition expands to 12 categories, six per gender, each featuring 10 of the world’s elite lifters vying for Olympic glory.

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Athletes Commission spearheaded the push for this adjustment, arguing that finer category granularity would mitigate health risks and reduce injury likelihood, thereby safeguarding the competitors.

“The IOC has positively taken into account our important arguments. We will deliver a more exciting program in Los Angeles, and our athletes’ community receives this news with immense satisfaction,” said IWF President Mohammed Jalood.

By the close of 2025, the IWF will finalize the six categories for men and women, locking in the blueprint for Los Angeles competition.

This announcement arrives amid broader reforms within the IWF, including intensified anti-doping measures and governance restructuring, all designed to reinforce the sport’s credibility and Olympic presence.

With these changes, LA2028 promises a more balanced, dynamic, and fiercely contested weightlifting stage, reflecting the sport’s ongoing commitment to excellence and athlete welfare.