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Rio 2016 Olympic Games Weightlifting

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This is the ATG Rio 2016 Olympics Page with all the info you need to follow the weightlifting events.

Follow along: I’m @atginsta on Instagram, @allthingsgym on twitter, All Things Gym on Facebook & allthingsgym on YouTube. ATG Submit Page if you have News.

Highlights

News

Update 11.10.2016: IWF’s World Weightlifting Magazine – Rio Edition (PDF)

Update 29.08.2016: Many Romanian sites report that Gabriel Sincraian (85kg Bronze) supposedly tested positive. (via)

Update 26.08.2016: The Olympics YouTube channel has a couple of clips now in this playlist. For Full Recordings you can still use the VPN method and watch on CBC.

Update 22.08.2016: The NY Times as neat visualizations of medal distributions at past Olympic games. (via)

They also mention that China has been cleaning up ?

Olympic-Games-weightlifting-medal-distribution-per-country

Update 21.08.2016:

Update 18.08.2016:

  • Izzat Artykov (Kyrgyzstan) who won Bronze in the 69kg category tested positive for Strychnine. (via CAS PDF)
  • Iran wants to file a case at CAS over the Salimi bombout. (via)

Update 17.08.2016: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus will definitely be banned according to a post citing Ajan. (via)

Update 15.08.2016: After Lin there might be more positives from Taipei in the pipeline (via)

Update 12.08.2016: Adrian Zielinski’s positive test is now official (via)

Update 10.08.2016: After Tomasz there are now reports that Adrian Zielinski supposedly tested positive at a training camp in July. (via)

Update 09.08.2016: Lin Tzu Chi (63kg, TPE) supposedly tested positive (via)

Update 08.08.2016: Tomasz Zielinski supposedly tested positive, has to leave the Olympic village (via)

Update 06.08.2016:

Update 06.08.2016: Btw, how about the complete failure of the Rio Weightlifting organizers to put together a media team for training hall footage? You had 4 years to prepare … How is that even possible?

Update 03.08.2016: Final Start List is here (PDF). Post your findings in the comments. or ATG Chat.

  • Li Yajun (53kg) with a solid 10kg lead
  • Om Yun Chol (56kg) not starting in B Group this time. 300kg entry total!
  • Thailand’s 58kg both with a top 240kg total
  • 62kg will be interesting 🙂
  • Men’s 69kg has Daniyar Ismayilov from turkey with same entry as Kim Myong Hyouk at 350kg, and several following closely
  • Andranik Karapetyan in 77kg has same entry total as Lu Xiaojun! Nijat Rahimov is close too!
  • 75kg: Rim Jong Sim with 275kg entry. Lydia Valentin 255kg
  • 85kg: very close session! Tian Tao, Denis Ulanov, Kianoush Rostami all within 390 ish entry totals!
  • 94kg: with both Zielinski brothers (403 and 405 total), Sohrab Moradi has a 407 total
  • +105: with 6 athletes having 450kg entry totals

ATG Chat


You can discuss the event here. allthingsgym.com/chat/ for a separate page.

  • to change your nickname type “/nick yourwantedname” without the quotes
  • to highlight someone’s name type the complete nick or
  • Pro Tip: just enter the first character and hit tab (multiple times) to auto complete the name

Update 03.08.2016: CAS rejected Russia’s appeal. Weightlifter remain banned. (via)

Update 01.08.2016: Updated Entry List (PDF). Meng Suping is now in, Hou Zhihui (48kg) was replaced due to knee injury (via).

Google also has results and schedules (for your local time zone) when you google “rio olympics weightlifting“.

Update 29.07.2016: IWF bans Russian weightlifters from entering Rio. (via)

Quotas were reallocated as follows:

  • Women ALB, GEO, MDA
  • Men BEL, CRO, ESA, MGL, SRB

Update 27.07.2016: 11 more positives…  (via)

  • Nataliya Zabolotnaya, Svetlana Tsarukaeva, Alexandr Ivanov and Andrey Demanov, Intigam Zairov, Iryna Kulesha, Hripsime Khurshudyan,Rauli Tsirekidze, Sibel Simsek, Almas Uteshov, Cristina Iovu.

Update 26.07.2016: From the retests – Albegov’s 2012 sample supposedly came back positive. (via) But neither the Russian WL president nor the IWF seem to know about it. So it might be false information.

Update 25.07.2016: Head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, confirmed that Tatiana Kashirina and Anastasia Romanova will not be allowed to compete in Rio. (via)

The IWF on the other hand has this to say (via):

In order to establish the pool of eligible Russian athletes, the IWF contacted the IOC, WADA for further clarification on the implementation of the decision that in some points might lead to confusion.

Update 24.07.2016: The IOC just announced that they are not banning Russia as a whole. (via)

They leave the decision to sport federations.

But the Russian Olympic Committee is not allowed to enter any athlete for who has ever been sanctioned for doping, even if she or he has served the corresponding sanction.

Russian track and field remains banned. Weightlifting got away with a black eye.

What does that mean for Tatiana Kashirina? She tested positive at age 15. But getting drugged as a child was hardly her fault.

Update 21.07.2016:

Update 20.07.2016:

Update 18.07.2016: Official Chinese Team Announcement. (via)

Women’s Team is supposedly:

Also now official. Liao Hui announced his retirement on weibo. Google translate:

Eleven lift weights so far there are 19 years in a row! Young ups and downs! Emotions are related with weight lifting! 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Early bloomer! National Games champion two World Championships undefeated! Three world records! These will make me proud! Of course there are sadly helpless 2012 and 2016, a flash eight years later. Over the years through a lot, there are tears, there is a loss, there are unwilling to have himself, and support me, so I adhere to the teeth of power is the love of weightlifting, the desire to win is like once again embark on the journey of the Olympic goal . Up to today, perhaps the outcome should not be in such a manner full stop, but paid, no regrets.

Today, I officially announced my retirement. Thank you for all these years of my care and attention, what will happen next, I do not know, but in another piece of the sky, I will try to do better.

The official team announcement post also mentions that Liao injured his knee last months and couldn’t train properly.

liao hui retirement

Here is his insane 166kg Snatch World Record from the 2014 World Championships in Almaty.

Update 15.07.2016: CAS dismisses Lovchev’s appeal. (via)

Update 11.07.2016: Team Kazakhstan announced (via):

Update 08.07.2016: Larry asked Shi asked Shi if he’s on the Rio team and he said it still not finalized. Although it could just be he’s not allowed to say yet. He just said we’ll find out on the 19th.

Update 07.07.2016: The Polish team is Patricia Piechowiak, Bartlomiej Bonk, Arkadiusz Michalski, Adrian and Tomasz Zieliński. Reserves are Joanna Łochowska and Krzysztof Szramiak. (via)

Update 06.07.2016: No Liao Hui in Rio? Here is the supposed Chinese men’s team.

We heard rumors about this back at Junior Worlds, and now this post on a chinese forum popped up, supposedly showing who’s on the team. Have your grains of salt ready though…

Women’s Team is supposedly:

Update 05.07.2016: After Russia, Azerbaijan also goes to CAS to fight the loss of Boyanka’s spot (via).

Update 23.06.2016: More snippets from IWF meetings at the Junior World Weightlifting Championships 2016, these are the teams with new quotas allocated to them (via):

  • Africa – Men: Kenya | Women: Morocco & Mauritius
  • Asia – Men: Qatar & Sri Lanka | Women: Iraq & United Arab Emirates
  • Europe – Men: Greece & Israel | Women: Finland, Latvia & Sweden
  • Oceania – Men: Nauru | Women: Solomon Islands
  • Pan-America – Men: Chile & Guatemala | Women: Argentina, Peru & Uruguay

Also the IWF Executive Board affiliated Burundi as 192nd Member Federation.

Update: 22.06.2016: TL;DR Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus subject to suspension in Rio!

The IWF has published quota changes for team spots (via):

  • Azerbaijan: -1 Man, -1 Woman
  • Belarus: -1 Man
  • Kazakhstan: -1 Man, -1 Woman
  • Moldova: -2 Men
  • North Korea: -1 Man, -1 Woman
  • Russia: -1 Man, -1 Woman
  • Romania: -1 Man
  • Uzbekistan: -1 Woman

The IWF prepares to set up an independent investigation commission which will investigate countries which have 3 or more anti-doping rule violations a year, including the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games retests.

The IWF will take appropriate measures to make sure that the athletes potentially implicated in the reanalysis process of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games – once disqualified by the IOC – shall not participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The IWF Executive Board has decided that National Federations confirmed to have produced 3 or more Anti-Doping Rule Violations in the combined re-analysis process of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games shall be suspended for 1 year. Countries thus subject to suspension are: KAZ, RUS, BLR.

Update 20.06.2016:

Update 17.06.2016: After the last Olympic qualifier, these countries were awarded one spot each (via):

  • Men: CUB, ECU, MEX, USA, DOM, PER, CAN
  • Women: CAN, PUR, CHI, CUB

Recordings

CBC has them. Needs a Canadian IP address using the VPN method described above. Not sure how long these recordings will stay online.

The Olympics YouTube channel has a couple of clips now in this playlist.

Live Streams

Best (Most Convenient) Method: Just as in 2012 I will watch the BBC Live Streams. Great quality, no ads and most likely covers all weightlifting sessions (+ all other sports too).

How it Works: Use a VPN (we need a UK ip address)
HideMyAss.com

Other Methods (lower quality): go to Pirate Sites here or here and search for streams.

About Gregor Winter

Hi, I run ATG.

Follow me on instagram @gregorwinter (and ATG @atginsta).

Comments

  1. Edward says

    Rio is in a state of emergency, and the testing procedures are so advanced that they can catch Ilya years after the fact…
    The games are looking dark indeed. I don’t think drugs can keep ahead of testing indefinitely. Soon every single lifter will be popping positive!

    • Victor says

      8 year limit to retrospective popping. You can’t retest the Seoul Olympics or anything.

      • Edward says

        Right, but I didn’t mean retroactively: my point was that these new scandals probably have current teams in a panic. The window for testing these substances has expanded substantially, so how will they avoid popping positive in 2016, if they have to anticipate 8 years of advances in drug testing?
        It all makes the competition a bit underwhelming when you know there is a high likelihood that the people standing on the podium will likely have their medals stripped sometime in the next 8 years.

        • andreas says

          or everyone can just compete clean like decent people and avoid 8 years of fear…

          • ReginaldHarper says

            I support this; I competed in powerlifting for years in drug-tested competitions and never used anything against the rules. I assume, however, that the Olympians will not suddenly stop seeking an advantage.

          • ReginaldHarper says

            I support this; I competed in powerlifting for years in drug-tested competitions and never used anything against the rules. I assume, however, that the Olympians will not suddenly stop seeking an advantage.

          • Ruslan says

            People cheat in every single sport. Chemical cheating goes back to the production of harsh amphetamine derivatives, Aspirin, Cocaine, oxygen isolation, and blood extraction. The post World War 2 chemistry boom just made more substances that people can use. Steroid testing does nothing but bring unnecessary light to a problem that has existed since the dawn of man. We cheat at everything. Human nature finds the most efficient way to do any action. Weightlifting moved from the continental clean to the clean, and moved from being unable to touch your body, to being able to do so. That was a massive change. Weightlifting has a simplicity to it that other sports cannot match, and thus there are less ways to cheat as compared to others. In the sport of American football, many people define the linemen in the trenches as just running into each other. Rules be damned, the trenches are full of people playing as dirty as possible, like the epitome of people biting each other in the pile, but on every down. People hold every play, they helmet slap, they step on hands, they drive from under your jersey to choke you, they use their helmet as a weapon, they tape their thumbs and drive them into your ribs. That’s the nature of cheating in a single part of American football. Weightlifting has chemistry. That is about it.

            All of this is not to mention that WADA and drugtesting in Olympic sports was created in the cold war as a way to mess with eastern block countries who put real money and effort into their Olympic program. The western countries (Carl Lewis is the best example along with the rest of track and field) tested dirty but were able to compete. It was incredibly easy and cheap economic warfare against the warsaw pact and nothing else at the creation. Now it’s just the buzzkill who ruins simple sports and takes bribes from everywhere until they are caught. The organization is more corrupt than FIFA and the IOC combined, but somehow second to the USADA. I still have respect for the labs who have to sort through this stuff and take time and money away from experimental research just to test thousands of athletes.

          • Ruslan says

            People cheat in every single sport. Chemical cheating goes back to the production of harsh amphetamine derivatives, Aspirin, Cocaine, oxygen isolation, and blood extraction. The post World War 2 chemistry boom just made more substances that people can use. Steroid testing does nothing but bring unnecessary light to a problem that has existed since the dawn of man. We cheat at everything. Human nature finds the most efficient way to do any action. Weightlifting moved from the continental clean to the clean, and moved from being unable to touch your body, to being able to do so. That was a massive change. Weightlifting has a simplicity to it that other sports cannot match, and thus there are less ways to cheat as compared to others. In the sport of American football, many people define the linemen in the trenches as just running into each other. Rules be damned, the trenches are full of people playing as dirty as possible, like the epitome of people biting each other in the pile, but on every down. People hold every play, they helmet slap, they step on hands, they drive from under your jersey to choke you, they use their helmet as a weapon, they tape their thumbs and drive them into your ribs. That’s the nature of cheating in a single part of American football. Weightlifting has chemistry. That is about it.

            All of this is not to mention that WADA and drugtesting in Olympic sports was created in the cold war as a way to mess with eastern block countries who put real money and effort into their Olympic program. The western countries (Carl Lewis is the best example along with the rest of track and field) tested dirty but were able to compete. It was incredibly easy and cheap economic warfare against the warsaw pact and nothing else at the creation. Now it’s just the buzzkill who ruins simple sports and takes bribes from everywhere until they are caught. The organization is more corrupt than FIFA and the IOC combined, but somehow second to the USADA. I still have respect for the labs who have to sort through this stuff and take time and money away from experimental research just to test thousands of athletes.

    • Garth Johnstone says

      The Zika virus is also a real big concern for athletes competing in Rio.

    • Ruslan says

      There is no advanced testing that has been developed for winstrol. It looks to me that the samples have been contaminated horribly. London tested randomly and tested all medal winners in the Olympic games in the same sites they found the positive test results later. Cross contamination is a very easy process unfortunately. If you are to test the thousands of samples in Olympic athletes randomly plus medal athletes, all it takes is the misuse of a pipette on what will be a positive sample to destroy the samples of an entire country. I

      They break down samples into sport first, although in a proper manner, they will just be batches that come to the lab. They’re not named, but they’re separate (In proper testing). Then they are broken down into countries but not named officially to the lab to stop any ability for bribery from nations to wreck others in the Olympics. This is also broken down into blood and piss if they follow proper WADA rules. You can misuse pipettes and get perfect testing due to that, or do the same and wreck samples.

      The biggest problem is that WADA extended its testing to include athletes from up to 10 years ago. However, it is known that retesting samples and bringing them out periodically will exponentially increase the chances of cross contamination, as well as (and take this one with a grain of salt because we don’t really know) the ability for some synthetic compounds based upon natural hormones to essentially produce themselves. Winstrol is based off DHT. Chemicals do not die like cells, and even the death of cells in blood samples and the like release more chemical compounds that can suddenly combine, especially if taken out of cryogenic storage and back. It’s like calling every element heavier than Uranium synthetic just because we had to synthesize it to discover them despite having mined a statistically insignificant amount of the crust, even less so if you’re comparing it to planet Earth. I doubt humans invented Plutonium before the Earth did.

      I would not trust old samples of anything no matter how it is stored. Unless you put the samples in a time warp, even things like Carbon, Silicon, Oxygen, Noble Gasses, Helium, and others that should be pure, suddenly wont be over time. I doubt drug testing storage does not contribute to the samples unless it is stored in a complete vacuum or suspended in air through electromagnetism. Even then, things will still change within the sample drastically in some places. Now exchange chemically stable elements to blood and urine samples in testing. A fresh sample will be more accurate than an older sample of any quantifiable measurement of any substance.

      Ilya is off the IWF sanctioned list for some reason. We will see what that amounts to.

      • Contamyass says

        B-sample bottles are unopened and they can be tested with representatives of the positive athlete to check whether the manipulation is done correctly. So contamination does not explain the positive cases. It does happen but then the B-sample should be negative!

        I don’t believe that the steroids can be formed out of other “unstable natural elements”.
        Some of the big names will do whatever it takes to prove that it can happen so if there are any scientists that have some kind of proof they will find theses experts.
        So you can be sure that the if your statements about unstable elements would be confirmed by specialist that every good lawyer would be able to get these athletes free.
        We’ll see what the outcome will be…but I’m afraid some people just wish too much that their hero’s are innocent.

    • Ruslan says

      There is no advanced testing that has been developed for winstrol. It looks to me that the samples have been contaminated horribly. London tested randomly and tested all medal winners in the Olympic games in the same sites they found the positive test results later. Cross contamination is a very easy process unfortunately. If you are to test the thousands of samples in Olympic athletes randomly plus medal athletes, all it takes is the misuse of a pipette on what will be a positive sample to destroy the samples of an entire country. I

      They break down samples into sport first, although in a proper manner, they will just be batches that come to the lab. They’re not named, but they’re separate (In proper testing). Then they are broken down into countries but not named officially to the lab to stop any ability for bribery from nations to wreck others in the Olympics. This is also broken down into blood and piss if they follow proper WADA rules. You can misuse pipettes and get perfect testing due to that, or do the same and wreck samples.

      The biggest problem is that WADA extended its testing to include athletes from up to 10 years ago. However, it is known that retesting samples and bringing them out periodically will exponentially increase the chances of cross contamination, as well as (and take this one with a grain of salt because we don’t really know) the ability for some synthetic compounds based upon natural hormones to essentially produce themselves. Winstrol is based off DHT. Chemicals do not die like cells, and even the death of cells in blood samples and the like release more chemical compounds that can suddenly combine, especially if taken out of cryogenic storage and back. It’s like calling every element heavier than Uranium synthetic just because we had to synthesize it to discover them despite having mined a statistically insignificant amount of the crust, even less so if you’re comparing it to planet Earth. I doubt humans invented Plutonium before the Earth did.

      I would not trust old samples of anything no matter how it is stored. Unless you put the samples in a time warp, even things like Carbon, Silicon, Oxygen, Noble Gasses, Helium, and others that should be pure, suddenly wont be over time. I doubt drug testing storage does not contribute to the samples unless it is stored in a complete vacuum or suspended in air through electromagnetism. Even then, things will still change within the sample drastically in some places. Now exchange chemically stable elements to blood and urine samples in testing. A fresh sample will be more accurate than an older sample of any quantifiable measurement of any substance.

      Ilya is off the IWF sanctioned list for some reason. We will see what that amounts to.

    • wlift84 says

      For me it’s 5 hours and while that isn’t unbearable, I was hoping the A sessions would start earlier, like 16-17:00.

      • grobpote says

        Yeah I can understand that. I’m just happy that it’s not 8 or 10 hours because it wouldn’t be fun to suffer in the middle of the night. Now I hope there won’t be any more busts or injuries and we’re good to go 🙂

  3. Mat says

    Gregor. It really is a shame that you can’t afford a trip do Rio. You produce some of the best quality weightlifting content.
    Do you think something like a ‘fundraiser’ would help?

    I do not have much money, but I could contribute with 10€ for example. If more people did the same, we could probably raise a nice enough funding. What do you think?

  4. Mat says

    Gregor. It really is a shame that you can’t afford a trip do Rio. You produce some of the best quality weightlifting content.
    Do you think something like a ‘fundraiser’ would help?

    I do not have much money, but I could contribute with 10€ for example. If more people did the same, we could probably raise a nice enough funding. What do you think?

    • vlad says

      100% agree! I will also contribute for sure. I had almost stopped following weightlifting as it was (and still is) staying outside of mainstream sports media coverage, until I found Gregor’s great ATG site and it became my favorite, I would even say my only source of news and great content about our favorite sport. Even with current not quite pleasant atmosphere around weightlifting, I’m sure Gregor is the man to go to Rio 🙂

    • vlad says

      100% agree! I will also contribute for sure. I had almost stopped following weightlifting as it was (and still is) staying outside of mainstream sports media coverage, until I found Gregor’s great ATG site and it became my favorite, I would even say my only source of news and great content about our favorite sport. Even with current not quite pleasant atmosphere around weightlifting, I’m sure Gregor is the man to go to Rio 🙂

    • wlift84 says

      You cannot get press accreditation this late. Unless you want to pay for a private vacation…

    • wlift84 says

      You cannot get press accreditation this late. Unless you want to pay for a private vacation…

  5. mrtn86 says

    @quota changes: Which countries will get the spots? Or will they stay empty?

    • vlad says

      IWF message is not quite clear – first decision is that respective number of quotas have been withdrawn, and the second decision is that KAZ, RUS, BLR are suspended because of 3 or more violations in retests of 2008 and 2012 – i.e. it seems that the second decision overrides the first and all quotas of these countries will be discarded. At least that is the interpretation of Russian media (e.g. http://www.gazeta.ru/sport/2016/06/22/a_8322767.shtml). In brief – the only chance for Russian weightlifters to attend the Olympics is either if B sample of Apti Aukhadov turns out to be negative which would mean only 2 positive retests and no full RUS suspension; or if athletes or federation sue IWF/IOC (quite unlikely).

      • andreas says

        the second decision says that IF IOC disqualifies the athletes caught in the retesting, THEN KAZ, BLR and RUS will get a 1 year suspension. If IOC do not disqualify the athletes, then nothing happens, i.e. IWF can put the blame on IOC if their member federations complain about suspension, after all if IOC do nothing IWF do nothing. Anyway, no start date is mentioned for this suspension, so the 1 year could start after Rio for all we know at this point. Which also wouldn’t affect qualification for Tokyo. Nice move from IWF, no consequences really, and if there are its IOCs fault, not IWF.

      • andreas says

        the second decision says that IF IOC disqualifies the athletes caught in the retesting, THEN KAZ, BLR and RUS will get a 1 year suspension. If IOC do not disqualify the athletes, then nothing happens, i.e. IWF can put the blame on IOC if their member federations complain about suspension, after all if IOC do nothing IWF do nothing. Anyway, no start date is mentioned for this suspension, so the 1 year could start after Rio for all we know at this point. Which also wouldn’t affect qualification for Tokyo. Nice move from IWF, no consequences really, and if there are its IOCs fault, not IWF.

      • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

        It is high time that the world(s) of competitive strength sports get out of the Olympics — or any other regulated gathering of athletic competitors — and create their own proprietary leagues, not unlike what has happened in the major sports of football, baseball, basketball, hockey and so on.

        The greatest hypocrisy (of the many) in all of this super-policing of drug use in sports is that the NFL Players’ Association and the NFL League Management have agreed to a contractual restriction against using blood testing as a means of detecting use of PEDs (namely, growth hormone).

        If the NFL (say, by order of some Congressional legislation) were to impose such a testing regimen, the fans would abandon the game as they saw the shrinkage in players (outright) as well as in their athletic abilities.

        So, conveniently, no such legislative action has ever been suggested, much less taken.

      • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

        It is high time that the world(s) of competitive strength sports get out of the Olympics — or any other regulated gathering of athletic competitors — and create their own proprietary leagues, not unlike what has happened in the major sports of football, baseball, basketball, hockey and so on.

        The greatest hypocrisy (of the many) in all of this super-policing of drug use in sports is that the NFL Players’ Association and the NFL League Management have agreed to a contractual restriction against using blood testing as a means of detecting use of PEDs (namely, growth hormone).

        If the NFL (say, by order of some Congressional legislation) were to impose such a testing regimen, the fans would abandon the game as they saw the shrinkage in players (outright) as well as in their athletic abilities.

        So, conveniently, no such legislative action has ever been suggested, much less taken.

    • vlad says

      IWF message is not quite clear – first decision is that respective number of quotas have been withdrawn, and the second decision is that KAZ, RUS, BLR are suspended because of 3 or more violations in retests of 2008 and 2012 – i.e. it seems that the second decision overrides the first and all quotas of these countries will be discarded. At least that is the interpretation of Russian media (e.g. http://www.gazeta.ru/sport/2016/06/22/a_8322767.shtml). In brief – the only chance for Russian weightlifters to attend the Olympics is either if B sample of Apti Aukhadov turns out to be negative which would mean only 2 positive retests and no full RUS suspension; or if athletes or federation sue IWF/IOC (quite unlikely).

  6. mrtn86 says

    @quota changes: Which countries will get the spots? Or will they stay empty?

  7. Neil Campbell says

    If Ilya does and Aleksey don’t get to compete, weightlifting comp will be nothing without these two mega stars. Ilya is the star of weightlifting, any person who believes any of the top 50 weightlifters in the world is not gassing is a fool

    • Anna says

      I know for a fact that several top 50 lifters are not gassing. I’m sick and tired of that argument. Thankyoubye.

    • Anna says

      I know for a fact that several top 50 lifters are not gassing. I’m sick and tired of that argument. Thankyoubye.

      • Anna says

        First off, I wasn’t trying to start a debate. So no, it wasn’t meant as an argument. Second, you can’t prove that someone is clean; all you can do is prove they are not. So yes, I was using some obscure reference, my acquaintance with some top 50 lifters, in order to fight off the “everybody does it” argument, that is baseless and harmful to said clean lifters.
        Again, I am not trying to win any sort of debate, partly because it seems impossible and pointless when faced with certain deep beliefs. So my point was more: believe what you want, but please do not utter uninformed judgments, because it’s beginning to tire me out.
        Cordially – clean athletes.

        • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

          You tire of an argument you have as yet not made: that there are, in the “top 50 lifters” some who do not use anabolic supplements. Your first mistake — on the order of a cardinal sin in any statistical analysis — is failing to define what exactly you mean by “top 50 lifters.”

          If by “top 50 lifters” you are referring to a sample of the best 50 lifters in any given weight category, then there is a chance (albeit slim) that you are correct about one or two of them. If, however, by “top 50 lifters” you are referring to the best 50 lifters regardless of weight category, then the odds against your assessment being accurate are so remote as to make it absurd.

          Nobody who doesn’t use anabolic substances gets into the top 50 (or top 100) of the world’s best weightlifters in the outright sense of what that means.

          Your second mistake is in thinking that in choosing to be a “clean athlete” you are in a position (a) to make the argument in defense of your own decision as though you were elected by others who might share your conviction to speak on their behalf, and (b) to no sooner make the argument than to declare that it tires you to do so.

          Are you, by chance, an admirer of Hillary Clinton? I ask because this is the way she argues — refusing to dignify questions and so forth.

          • Anna says

            You have no proof of what you are saying (no, Sinclair and LBM do not constitute a proof – see comment below – but I trust you to know that); neither do I. That is why, as I already stated, I am not going to engage in a debate with you or anyone. Especially not on technicalities such as “what is a top 50” because (a) I didn’t formulate the expression (b) I am not interested into debating form over content.
            So I will just wish you a good day, and send you and Hillary Clinton my respect, hoping that this missed opportunity to practise the art of keyboard war waging will not upset you too much.

            • tmoney says

              If you really didn’t want to engage in a debate, then why write so much? Just leave it be.

          • Anna says

            You have no proof of what you are saying (no, Sinclair and LBM do not constitute a proof – see comment below – but I trust you to know that); neither do I. That is why, as I already stated, I am not going to engage in a debate with you or anyone. Especially not on technicalities such as “what is a top 50” because (a) I didn’t formulate the expression (b) I am not interested into debating form over content.
            So I will just wish you a good day, and send you and Hillary Clinton my respect, hoping that this missed opportunity to practise the art of keyboard war waging will not upset you too much.

        • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

          You tire of an argument you have as yet not made: that there are, in the “top 50 lifters” some who do not use anabolic supplements. Your first mistake — on the order of a cardinal sin in any statistical analysis — is failing to define what exactly you mean by “top 50 lifters.”

          If by “top 50 lifters” you are referring to a sample of the best 50 lifters in any given weight category, then there is a chance (albeit slim) that you are correct about one or two of them. If, however, by “top 50 lifters” you are referring to the best 50 lifters regardless of weight category, then the odds against your assessment being accurate are so remote as to make it absurd.

          Nobody who doesn’t use anabolic substances gets into the top 50 (or top 100) of the world’s best weightlifters in the outright sense of what that means.

          Your second mistake is in thinking that in choosing to be a “clean athlete” you are in a position (a) to make the argument in defense of your own decision as though you were elected by others who might share your conviction to speak on their behalf, and (b) to no sooner make the argument than to declare that it tires you to do so.

          Are you, by chance, an admirer of Hillary Clinton? I ask because this is the way she argues — refusing to dignify questions and so forth.

      • Anna says

        First off, I wasn’t trying to start a debate. So no, it wasn’t meant as an argument. Second, you can’t prove that someone is clean; all you can do is prove they are not. So yes, I was using some obscure reference, my acquaintance with some top 50 lifters, in order to fight off the “everybody does it” argument, that is baseless and harmful to said clean lifters.
        Again, I am not trying to win any sort of debate, partly because it seems impossible and pointless when faced with certain deep beliefs. So my point was more: believe what you want, but please do not utter uninformed judgments, because it’s beginning to tire me out.
        Cordially – clean athletes.

      • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

        Thankyoubye = poor diction aside, the only part of your comment with any merit.

      • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

        Thankyoubye = poor diction aside, the only part of your comment with any merit.

      • Douglas Heeren says

        A few might be doping but not the top 50. The lighter weight classes do not need drugs to achieve a level of success.

      • Douglas Heeren says

        A few might be doping but not the top 50. The lighter weight classes do not need drugs to achieve a level of success.

  8. GHM says

    I remember (saw) lifting competition is 60’s and 70s. I enjoyed those more than I do now because I could relate in my youth to 120 kg snatch by a 67.5 kg lifter or 190 kg jerk by 90 kg lifter. In late 70’s and 80’s numbers became unreal such as 225kg jerk by 82.5 kg lifter.

    I look forward to see cleaner lifter (100% clean is impossible IMO) compete for a medal in worlds and Olympics. Can someone please tell me what is wrong if winner of the 105kg category in Rio is from someplace like Germany or Spain with total of 390kg? Are we such a snubs that we say we will not watch that competition.

    I look forward to RIO. Long live weightlifting.

    • vlad says

      I doubt if 390 @105 is doable by a lifetime drug-free athlete but this is only speculation, maybe I’m just wrong. Anyway, if some day the professional sport is restarted from scratch and all existing records are discarded and forgotten, and a perfect anti-doping system comes in place – then sure, we will be happy even with total of much less than that…

      Current completely flawed and unfair system makes everyone unhappy. But as nobody has proposed and implemented a better one, it is the way it is. We will enjoy Rio, admire best performances and keeps fingers crossed for our favorites to have not used stanozolol and turinabol in their cycles. Until they get busted in 2020 or 2024…

      • AX says

        Vlad,
        believe me. 390 @105 is not as difficult as you might think. More than that: I know that it is also possible @94. Of course it’s hard to believe this, because no-one can provide evidence for being a lifetime drug free athlete. And also 390 is a really good drug-free result.

      • AX says

        Vlad,
        believe me. 390 @105 is not as difficult as you might think. More than that: I know that it is also possible @94. Of course it’s hard to believe this, because no-one can provide evidence for being a lifetime drug free athlete. And also 390 is a really good drug-free result.

      • dustin oranchuk says

        I have always believed that it was possible (not likely) for a lifetime drug-free athlete to total the world record from 2 weight-classes lower. Ie, possible for a 105 lifter to total 395 (85kg world record).

    • vlad says

      I doubt if 390 @105 is doable by a lifetime drug-free athlete but this is only speculation, maybe I’m just wrong. Anyway, if some day the professional sport is restarted from scratch and all existing records are discarded and forgotten, and a perfect anti-doping system comes in place – then sure, we will be happy even with total of much less than that…

      Current completely flawed and unfair system makes everyone unhappy. But as nobody has proposed and implemented a better one, it is the way it is. We will enjoy Rio, admire best performances and keeps fingers crossed for our favorites to have not used stanozolol and turinabol in their cycles. Until they get busted in 2020 or 2024…

    • Leon says

      Personally I am frustrated. What is the point in cheering for an athlete if the medals will be taken away some months or years later? Imagine this happens in the NBA of NFL. Don’t you think people wouldn’t lose trust and interest?
      Also weightlifting is an athletic competition. So records do matter much more so than in team sports.

      If the bans will be imposed I think I am done watching weightlifting on a professional level.
      Now I understand why the older guys in my weightlifting club don’t follow international competitions. They have seen this far too often.

    • Leon says

      Personally I am frustrated. What is the point in cheering for an athlete if the medals will be taken away some months or years later? Imagine this happens in the NBA of NFL. Don’t you think people wouldn’t lose trust and interest?
      Also weightlifting is an athletic competition. So records do matter much more so than in team sports.

      If the bans will be imposed I think I am done watching weightlifting on a professional level.
      Now I understand why the older guys in my weightlifting club don’t follow international competitions. They have seen this far too often.

    • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

      It’s not really a matter of what weightlifting we will (or will not) watch. We will watch what weightlifting there is to watch (I suspect).

      Rather, it’s a matter of what limits are placed on reaching the potential of the human body. After all, if we wanted to see restrictions on totals, we could artificially impose new demands on the sport: such as new height-weight categories that would make it nearly impossible for even the shortest lifters to achieve body mass indexes enabling them to withstand the stress of loads two and a half or three times their own bodyweight.

      You see, the only way a lifter such as Naim Sulaimanoglu is able to amass the superior musculature and tendon strength to achieve those results is by use of anabolic steroids.

      Nothing else would be necessary. Identify a maximum body weight per height — let the athletes use whatever drugs they want — and then monitor the height-weight index with an iron fist.

      No drug testing needed.

    • Paul Donald Hunt Jr. says

      It’s not really a matter of what weightlifting we will (or will not) watch. We will watch what weightlifting there is to watch (I suspect).

      Rather, it’s a matter of what limits are placed on reaching the potential of the human body. After all, if we wanted to see restrictions on totals, we could artificially impose new demands on the sport: such as new height-weight categories that would make it nearly impossible for even the shortest lifters to achieve body mass indexes enabling them to withstand the stress of loads two and a half or three times their own bodyweight.

      You see, the only way a lifter such as Naim Sulaimanoglu is able to amass the superior musculature and tendon strength to achieve those results is by use of anabolic steroids.

      Nothing else would be necessary. Identify a maximum body weight per height — let the athletes use whatever drugs they want — and then monitor the height-weight index with an iron fist.

      No drug testing needed.

  9. GHM says

    I remember (saw) lifting competition is 60’s and 70s. I enjoyed those more than I do now because I could relate in my youth to 120 kg snatch by a 67.5 kg lifter or 190 kg jerk by 90 kg lifter. In late 70’s and 80’s numbers became unreal such as 225kg jerk by 82.5 kg lifter.

    I look forward to see cleaner lifter (100% clean is impossible IMO) compete for a medal in worlds and Olympics. Can someone please tell me what is wrong if winner of the 105kg category in Rio is from someplace like Germany or Spain with total of 390kg? Are we such a snubs that we say we will not watch that competition.

    I look forward to RIO. Long live weightlifting.

  10. zbro83 says

    Seems like no Aurimas Dzidzbalis? Lithuania got no place and they had no qualification… Sohrab Moradi will destroy the competition in 94kg just to be busted 8 years later:)

  11. zbro83 says

    Seems like no Aurimas Dzidzbalis? Lithuania got no place and they had no qualification… Sohrab Moradi will destroy the competition in 94kg just to be busted 8 years later:)

  12. D says

    Interesting, but it would be better if they gave some links to the mentioned documents

  13. D says

    Interesting, but it would be better if they gave some links to the mentioned documents

  14. Guram says

    Looks like all russian, belarus and kaz. team will be out of rio, IWF had no other way to act. Otherwise all those shit will be back to them. 0 tolerance with the doping is the only one way to work, but I beleave not only the russian is using the doping, may be tecnologybof russian is to old already.
    Anyhow rio should be better without cheating athlets,

  15. Guram says

    Looks like all russian, belarus and kaz. team will be out of rio, IWF had no other way to act. Otherwise all those shit will be back to them. 0 tolerance with the doping is the only one way to work, but I beleave not only the russian is using the doping, may be tecnologybof russian is to old already.
    Anyhow rio should be better without cheating athlets,

  16. johle says

    Can anyone with a background on weightlifting at a professional level explain the “shared” liability between coaches and athletes?

    You always hear about the sanctioned athletes being condemned etc. but is it just me or do you rarely hear about the same condemnation on the coaches? Aren’t they all a part of a team? Only thing I’ve heard & read was about the Russian coaches (Rigert removed due to lacking results and the other from Houston due to sanctions)

    Sounds to me like coaches mostly gets to keep their job while athletes are neck-deep in trouble but anyone care to elaborate on this? Thanks.

  17. johle says

    Can anyone with a background on weightlifting at a professional level explain the “shared” liability between coaches and athletes?

    You always hear about the sanctioned athletes being condemned etc. but is it just me or do you rarely hear about the same condemnation on the coaches? Aren’t they all a part of a team? Only thing I’ve heard & read was about the Russian coaches (Rigert removed due to lacking results and the other from Houston due to sanctions)

    Sounds to me like coaches mostly gets to keep their job while athletes are neck-deep in trouble but anyone care to elaborate on this? Thanks.

  18. Narendra Reddy Gopu says

    Guys, any idea when the individual quota places will be announced?

  19. Narendra Reddy Gopu says

    Guys, any idea when the individual quota places will be announced?

    • Realist says

      This ain’t official; Greg got this off a Chinese forum. If Liao Hui doesn’t go, it’s going to be because something catastrophic happened in his training and so far, I haven’t heard anything. YangYang’s instagram featured a healthy smiling Liao Hui in the training halls just 4 days ago.

      • Gregor says

        Way before this was on a forum we heard about it from a Chinese team member at Junior worlds ¯_(ツ)_/¯

            • Realist says

              Didn’t the person immediately ask? It’s quite an obvious question. I mean, I love Shi Zhiyong and think he’s the future of China’s 69kg men’s but Liao Hui is still the now. Shi put up a great fight at the nationals but Liao Hui took him down like, “Nice try, boy.” I don’t really believe Liao Hui is out unless I see something official. Maybe it was an error in translation. Maybe he said that’s the team he wants to see and he happens to be Shi Zhiyong’s best pal.

              • zbro83 says

                Maybe your idol Liao is on stronger stuff than Shi… And they are scared of it being detected 8 years later. And on Nationals Liao did not put down Shi, it was quite even battle… Of course Liao was better… But as I say maybe they use different substances? Liao was only one big Chinese name to be busted on major competition within 6 years I think…

                • Realist says

                  Yes, Liao was busted in 2010 and because of that, it would be especially stupid if they juiced him up significantly. At least they wouldn’t give him more than Shi, who has 1 foul to give. This is all assuming that they’re on stuff, which is unsubstantiated at this point.

                  I know the numbers say Liao and Shi were almost even, but Shi went all out with 195 and got it on his second attempt while Liao was unphased doing 196, winning with 1 spare lift, and them tried not 199 but 202, which basically shows that Liao was just playing the whole time, not even peaked, while Shi was going 100%.

    • Denissssss says

      From what I read on reddit, it’s like Chinese Olympic Commitee doesn’t allow to compete those who had doping problems in 4 years before Rio.

  21. Rory Taylor says

    why have KAZ bothered even naming a team? Aren’t they banned following the 2012 retests?

    • TheTurk says

      Turkish president of the wl federation said BLR, RUS and KAZ teams will be banned from the Olympics. But there is nothing official. Probably he gave information from inside.

  22. The Dude says

    No Almas Uteshov? Guy medaled at World’s and isn’t on the Rio team? He might cj 235!!!

  27. zSec says

    Theres some shady cloak and dagger stuff going on in the world of weightlifting at the moment.

    Ilya mentions here ‘y2u.be/yP03WUZek8Y – at around 1:15’

    That there is a lot of pressure going towards removing weightlifting from the olympic scene and replacing it with another discipline.

    “…somebody wants to add their own type of sport to the olympics”

    Ilya also mentions it here ‘http://y2u.be/AfwvrhGq2-Q – at around 1:00’

    It’s in russian though.

    • grobpote says

      Or “they” just probably want to slow KAZ WL down a little bit. It really is quite similar to the Greek and Turkish miracles in the ’90-s. Those two nations were also halted at some point and they are still very much down. Kazakhstan produced too many big results and too many talented lifters in the last few years and there are already too many nations in the line to have those Olympic medals. No conspiracy theory here it’s just against many interests. I don’t think that WL would be in danger at the moment – it’s more popular then ever. Ilya might think that the elimination of KAZ WL has a big impact on the whole scenery but I doubt that. Other fell before too and nothing happened.

    • Ruben Hörnquist says

      Could you, please, translate what he says? I think alot of us would be very glad.

      • Ivan Bista says

        He said:
        Why would you go and dig out the past? Looking for something, so incomprehensible to decide about people´s fate. I think these actions are aimed against the sport of weightlifting. They want to take out the weightlifting in the near future and put their own sport (some kind of other sport) instead, I think. There has been a pressure. Someone wants their sport to take the place of weightlifting.

        • Ruben Hörnquist says

          Thank you very much, sir. Do you know any news about Ilya? After he got busted, he said something like “I honestly think we will clear this up in a month”. Now … only silence. Do you know anything?

          • Ivan Bista says

            You are welcome, and no sorry, I only speak russian, so I was able to translate. But I have no insight to his case.

  28. grobpote says

    The only good thing I can find in this whole insanity that Lidia Valentin has a great chance in Rio 🙂

    • zbro83 says

      I completely agree with you. Two months ago Ilya was a superstar now he is a cheater… And seems like doping is mainly present only in kazakhstan, russia, belarus… What about extremely ripped chinese lifters with flubby faces? Is it normal that you have so low BF and have such a round face? Where is justice? If you don’t hunt all you should hunt none… I am really not in the mood to watch olympic games,,,

      • grobpote says

        Don’t get dispirited it’s gonna be fun. This kind of things were always the part of it. With time you’ll get used to it and see the bright side. New names new opportunities. Just think about it : there will be more medalists from countries like Columbia or Thailand and it might help those federations to claim more support hence the whole WL scenery changes a little. I mean I always loved slavic WL but wouldn’t it be nice to see someone else to win for a change?

      • Realist says

        Where is justice? Justice is in using tests to catch those who dope. Unless you have some evidence that the Chinese aren’t being tested, or have some way to flaunt the tests, then right now, it seems justice has been served. If you have the evidence, let’s see it. What justice is NOT is you insinuating that someone is a cheat because he looks muscular (a weightlifter who’s been training professionally since age 9 looks ripped? What kind of black magic is this?!) or has a “flubby” face (don’t even know what that means) and is doing well.

    • Realist says

      Nooooooooo!!!!!! He practically had double Olympic champion already won!!! I knew only injury could stop this… Now there could be a real fight between Shi and the Turk.

      • grobpote says

        He could have become a 3 times olympic gold medalist. Ilya detto. Drogbust or injury take your pick. That club is one of the hardest to make.

        • zbro83 says

          Yes probably it is not doping this time, as all cases of ACTIVE athletes are said to be revealed…

      • Michael Wu says

        rumours are that there isn’t actually an injury, but an internal provincial feud left Liao Hui out. Chinese sports politics…

  30. DylanJM says

    Just looking back at 2012. The final entry date was the 9th of July and an entry list popped up sometime around the 12th-14th of July.

    This time the final entry date was yesterday (18th of July) so I imagine we could have a final entry list over the next few days which will hopefully put some of this speculation to rest. The not knowing who or who isn’t able to lift is killing me!

  31. PJ says

    Iran team official now
    Rostami 85, Moradi and Hashemi 94, Barari 105 and Salimi +105

    • Sina S says

      Molaei crossed out , later on injured in car accident badly

      Hashemi s another 94.

  32. Denissssss says

    Russian team is reported to be:
    Men
    69 Oleg Chen
    85 Artem Okulov
    94 Adam Maligov
    105 David Bedzhanyan
    +105 Ruslan Albegov

    Women
    63 Tima Turieva
    69 Anastasiya Romanova
    +75 Tatiana Kashirina

  33. grobpote says

    The list is preliminary but these are the competitors we will see. You can’t change the names or add others to it. The only change can come from names taken away if there is any injury or ban. All in all no surprise here for me.

    • Denissssss says

      So China can’t change someone for Meng Suping? If Kashirina doesn’t go, it’s an easy gold

      • Realist says

        LOL China’s team already left. It’s not gonna happen. If Kashirina’s really out, then we’re about to see a really low winning score in the women’s super heavyweight… Meng Suping’s probably gonna cry for this cus she got robbed big time; don’t know how it feels to know you can lift 30-40kg more than the Olympic champion as you sit home and watch the comp while being completely eligible to compete but she just might find out!

  34. mrtn86 says

    “Weightlifting got away with a black eye” – IOC put the decision to the respective federations. So now it is up to the IWF if russian athletes will be allowed to start. Nothing decided yet!

    • Святослав says

      In Team of Russia : Kashirina (+75 kg) was Banned ( for Doping) with 2006-2008 years. Romanova (69kg) was Banned ( for Doping ) with 2013-2015 year. And What, they Going to Rio or Not ??? IOC : “ONLY Absolutely PURE Athletes ( from Team of Russia) with absolutely Impeccable Reputation can Go in RIO” ( But Kashirina (+75 kg) and Romanova (69 kg) Do Not has Impeccable Reputation !!!!!!!). And what : Tamas Ajan ( and IWF) would allow them ( Kashirina and Romanova) to be in RIO or Not ??????

      • mrtn86 says

        You did not understand me. I reffered to the fact, that Russia, Kazakhstan and Aserbaidschan had too many sanctioned athletes, so that their federations may be banned as a whole – like in athletics. This question is in the responsibility of IWF, when I correctly understood today’s decision.

        Kashirina and Romanova should be out one way or another, if they reasonably implement what IOC decided today.

        • Kwon Rae says

          Yes, they should be banned, but what if the IWF is corrupt and not very much interested in fair sport?

  35. Denissssss says

    A man on a forum that I read says that he asked Tatiana today and she said she will compete, because they proved that her old ban was mistake of the laboratory. I don’t know if it’s true or not, she is still in the list of sanctioned athletes on the IWF website.

    • Святослав says

      On the IWF website ( in “Sanctions”) – Kashirina in the List of sanctioned athletes for 2006 ( this is Not mistake ( “Laboratory”) , otherwise there her Name would not be in List of Sanctioned for 2006 .

  36. grobpote says

    This is ridiculous. What would happen to the other nations if neither of them could start previously banned athletes??? Shouldn’t this apply for every country?

    • Kwon Rae says

      Nothing, the Germans would send the same squad. There are studies that juiced athletes had an advantage even if they had stopped juicing, at leats for many years.

      • grobpote says

        Maybe Germans would but I’m talking about the bigger picture – every sport,every country. There are quite a few world class athletes who were previously banned.

  37. Realist says

    “Update 25.07.2016: Head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, confirmed that Tatiana Kashirina and Anastasia Romanova will not be allowed to compete in Rio.”

    Aaaaand Meng Suping is officially gonna cry herself skinny… That is truly a roasted duck of a gold medal flying away. If any of the 4 Chinese girls comes home without a gold medal, she better be prepared to deal with Meng Suping’s stink-eye for the rest of her life LOL

    • zbro83 says

      I hope Kashirina will not kill herself… And I am not joking here… Target of her life and she may not even be allowed to compete anymore on IO…

  39. grobpote says

    I hope it’s the final decision and other nations will not be banned…

  40. grobpote says

    I hope it’s the final decision and other nations will not be banned…

  41. Charles says

    Bribes and politics won.

    Enjoy your cheating chinese championships… OOPS meant olympics.

  42. Charles says

    Bribes and politics won.

    Enjoy your cheating chinese championships… OOPS meant olympics.

  43. drarara says

    total bullshit. oleg deserved to compete more than anyone else. first he got cut in 2012 cuz its was two people in 105 and now he just dosent get a chance, fuck this shit

  44. drarara says

    total bullshit. oleg deserved to compete more than anyone else. first he got cut in 2012 cuz its was two people in 105 and now he just dosent get a chance, fuck this shit

  45. mrtn86 says

    Good news. Maybe one of the last chances to save the future of weightlifting as part of the olympic games.
    It would be more even-handed if they not only ban Russia, but also Kazakhstan or Aserbaidschan etc.

    • Святослав says

      If Banned Russia, then Why Kazakhstan ( 7 Positive Tests 2008-2012) and BLR ( 3 Positive Tests) – is Not Ban ( in Rio) ?????

    • Святослав says

      If Banned Russia, then Why Kazakhstan ( 7 Positive Tests 2008-2012) and BLR ( 3 Positive Tests) – is Not Ban ( in Rio) ?????

    • Daniyar Meimankhan says

      Why do you guys, don’t get it, it is a politics games. On the doping list from 2012 there are only guys from Soviet Union republics. There are no other athletes as you have noticed

      • mrtn86 says

        Why always crying “politics” when things are going not the way you are exspecting or understanding it?
        The banned athletes are coming from different countries with contrary political backgrounds (Bulgaria, Rumania – EU, Turkey, Russia and so on). It is much more probably that other countries are using different stuff, having a better timing of the cycles, haven’t been tested with the new methods yet or are just not taking roids (those you will find on the second side of the results table…).

        Apart from this, every juiced athlete not participating is a bit more justice to the clean lifters. Those should be the measure. Not the equity between the cheaters. Russia not beeing allowed to start but Kazahkstan, is a reason to ban Kazahkstan – not the other way around.

        • Daniyar Meimankhan says

          I am saying that is the politics, because there are som vivid examples for that, top lifters such as Ilyin, Lovchev, Kydyrbayev, Aukhadov and other to lifters have been caught on very simple drugs. Do you really think that they are that much stupid and will consume that simple drugs that is easy to find. Moreover, I don’t believe that old technology could find these simple drugs in 2008 and 2012. The next question, WADA doesn’t reveal the information on how many alt here’s have been tested. Also, why the say this just befor the Olympics. It is clear, that they want to stop the gegemony of CIS athletes in heavy weights. For example, Ilyin would be a champion for sure, for 100%. Lovchev also 100% champion. In 94 Kydyrbayev or Uteshov, one of the would be gold medalists. In +75- Kashirina. 75 – Podobedova, 53- Chinshanlo for sure. You see how WADA kills this OG. It is just ridiculous from WADa

          • AX says

            Maybe those simple drugs are the most effectiv ones. Maybe they consume them because they know that no-one will test them in training. Maybe in 2008 or 2012 they knew that they have to switch to other (modern but less effective) drugs for example 4 weeks before completion, because older technology was able to find them only in this period. And maybe modern technology can find the remainings of those simple drugs for 6 weeks. Just some maybes. Nobody knows. But for sure those lifters are not clean 😀

          • AX says

            Maybe those simple drugs are the most effectiv ones. Maybe they consume them because they know that no-one will test them in training. Maybe in 2008 or 2012 they knew that they have to switch to other (modern but less effective) drugs for example 4 weeks before completion, because older technology was able to find them only in this period. And maybe modern technology can find the remainings of those simple drugs for 6 weeks. Just some maybes. Nobody knows. But for sure those lifters are not clean 😀

        • Daniyar Meimankhan says

          I am saying that is the politics, because there are som vivid examples for that, top lifters such as Ilyin, Lovchev, Kydyrbayev, Aukhadov and other to lifters have been caught on very simple drugs. Do you really think that they are that much stupid and will consume that simple drugs that is easy to find. Moreover, I don’t believe that old technology could find these simple drugs in 2008 and 2012. The next question, WADA doesn’t reveal the information on how many alt here’s have been tested. Also, why the say this just befor the Olympics. It is clear, that they want to stop the gegemony of CIS athletes in heavy weights. For example, Ilyin would be a champion for sure, for 100%. Lovchev also 100% champion. In 94 Kydyrbayev or Uteshov, one of the would be gold medalists. In +75- Kashirina. 75 – Podobedova, 53- Chinshanlo for sure. You see how WADA kills this OG. It is just ridiculous from WADa

      • mrtn86 says

        Why always crying “politics” when things are going not the way you are exspecting or understanding it?
        The banned athletes are coming from different countries with contrary political backgrounds (Bulgaria, Rumania – EU, Turkey, Russia and so on). It is much more probably that other countries are using different stuff, having a better timing of the cycles, haven’t been tested with the new methods yet or are just not taking roids (those you will find on the second side of the results table…).

        Apart from this, every juiced athlete not participating is a bit more justice to the clean lifters. Those should be the measure. Not the equity between the cheaters. Russia not beeing allowed to start but Kazahkstan, is a reason to ban Kazahkstan – not the other way around.

    • Daniyar Meimankhan says

      Why do you guys, don’t get it, it is a politics games. On the doping list from 2012 there are only guys from Soviet Union republics. There are no other athletes as you have noticed

    • wlift84 says

      Not good news. There are now six countries who fall under the suspension rules. Either ban everyone responsibe or nobody.

      Pulling extra rules out of rather thin air is highly problematic.

    • wlift84 says

      Not good news. There are now six countries who fall under the suspension rules. Either ban everyone responsibe or nobody.

      Pulling extra rules out of rather thin air is highly problematic.

  46. mrtn86 says

    Good news. Maybe one of the last chances to save the future of weightlifting as part of the olympic games.
    It would be more even-handed if they not only ban Russia, but also Kazakhstan or Aserbaidschan etc.

  47. Comrade_red says

    Screw IWF and their hypocrisy, lets have 2016 Friendship Games!

    Вперед, Россия

  48. Comrade_red says

    Screw IWF and their hypocrisy, lets have 2016 Friendship Games!

    Вперед, Россия

  49. Akshat Chaturvedi says

    IWF has made weightlifting a joke. No amount of documentaries can save it.

  50. Akshat Chaturvedi says

    IWF has made weightlifting a joke. No amount of documentaries can save it.

  51. Denissssss says

    sport.mail.ru/news/weight-lifting/26609158/
    A tournament is going to be held for Russian team in Moscow on 5-7 of August

  52. Denissssss says

    sport.mail.ru/news/weight-lifting/26609158/
    A tournament is going to be held for Russian team in Moscow on 5-7 of August

  55. GHM says

    Is this a joke?
    Is China really entering Shi Zhiyong who won 2004 gold in 62 kg for Rio 69kg? I think it is another lifter they are entering with similar name and English spelling.

  56. GHM says

    Is this a joke?
    Is China really entering Shi Zhiyong who won 2004 gold in 62 kg for Rio 69kg? I think it is another lifter they are entering with similar name and English spelling.

    • Denissssss says

      Yes, it’s another lifter, didn’t you notice him at Houston or Tashkent or this year nationals?

    • Denissssss says

      Yes, it’s another lifter, didn’t you notice him at Houston or Tashkent or this year nationals?

      • David says

        To be honest, as a supporter of USA weightlifting, the impact on Hou Zhihui was not the first thing that concerned me.

      • David says

        To be honest, as a supporter of USA weightlifting, the impact on Hou Zhihui was not the first thing that concerned me.

    • johle says

      Oh wow, no CHN in 48? I am really crossing fingers for Miyake’s last shot at gold then. Sure is hectic at the Olympics this year.

    • johle says

      Oh wow, no CHN in 48? I am really crossing fingers for Miyake’s last shot at gold then. Sure is hectic at the Olympics this year.

    • Realist says

      WHAT? Meng and Hou were both shoo-ins! I would have removed Li Yajun since there is actually a chance that she will be beaten by Hsu. Removing Hou makes no sense! Was she half-injured?

      But all-in-all, I’m happy about this. Meng Suping deserves this so much; Hou Zhihui is still really young. Having Meng Suping sit out with Kashirina banned would have been the greatest regret of the Rio Olympics for Chinese weightlifting and that’s including the injustice that Liao Hui faced.

      I just wish I could see Meng’s reaction when she was told to book it to Rio stat! I wanna see that about equally as much as I don’t wanna see Hou Zhihui’s reaction when she’d been told that she was cut despite already being in Rio…

        • Realist says

          Ah, in the, video they said that Hou was pulled out because she suffered a knee injury in July and the recovery has been less than expected. Normally, this would not present a problem as China is so overpowered in the 48kg BUT, this time, a Thai lifter (Tanasan) totalled 210kg from 50.34kg body weight in Houston has dropped weight to compete in the 48kg category. They are uncertain that Hou can defeat her while being injured so they decided to pull her in favor of Meng Suping since without Kashirina, that is a gold medal virtually guaranteed. Hou is quite depressed about this, but they said Wu Jingbiao, Liao Hui, Kang Yue, Deng Mengrong, etc… have all had to suffer the injustice of being great gold medal contenders but unable to compete so Hou will survive as well.

        • Realist says

          Ah, in the, video they said that Hou was pulled out because she suffered a knee injury in July and the recovery has been less than expected. Normally, this would not present a problem as China is so overpowered in the 48kg BUT, this time, a Thai lifter (Tanasan) totalled 210kg from 50.34kg body weight in Houston has dropped weight to compete in the 48kg category. They are uncertain that Hou can defeat her while being injured so they decided to pull her in favor of Meng Suping since without Kashirina, that is a gold medal virtually guaranteed. Hou is quite depressed about this, but they said Wu Jingbiao, Liao Hui, Kang Yue, Deng Mengrong, etc… have all had to suffer the injustice of being great gold medal contenders but unable to compete so Hou will survive as well.

    • Realist says

      WHAT? Meng and Hou were both shoo-ins! I would have removed Li Yajun since there is actually a chance that she will be beaten by Hsu. Removing Hou makes no sense! Was she half-injured?

      But all-in-all, I’m happy about this. Meng Suping deserves this so much; Hou Zhihui is still really young. Having Meng Suping sit out with Kashirina banned would have been the greatest regret of the Rio Olympics for Chinese weightlifting and that’s including the injustice that Liao Hui faced.

      I just wish I could see Meng’s reaction when she was told to book it to Rio stat! I wanna see that about equally as much as I don’t wanna see Hou Zhihui’s reaction when she’d been told that she was cut despite already being in Rio…

  59. David says

    Natalia Priscepa (75 kg, MDA) was also added to the entry list. However, no women from ALB or GEO have been added, even though the Albanian press already publicly announced that Evagjelia Veli (53 kg) would be going: http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=332365

    Could this be an error by the IWF–to be followed by a revised entry list–or a real change in the decision?

      • Святослав says

        But how can replacement weightlifting-girl ( from start list), if only she ( Hou) do not have Injury ? In Russia Team, when IOC and IWF ( in July) removed Kashirina ( from Start List of Russia Team) – and only Without Replacement ( on her License ). Hou Zhihui ( how and Tan Yayun (48 kg) – 2 time Champion of the World, which remain in China) – this is 200 % Gold for China, what for her ( Hou) removed for Start List of China Team ??? ( Meng Suping and without Kashirina – this is Not Gold). Better removed Li Yajun ( 53 kg) – she really weaker than Ksu ( from Taiwan)

      • Святослав says

        But how can replacement weightlifting-girl ( from start list), if only she ( Hou) do not have Injury ? In Russia Team, when IOC and IWF ( in July) removed Kashirina ( from Start List of Russia Team) – and only Without Replacement ( on her License ). Hou Zhihui ( how and Tan Yayun (48 kg) – 2 time Champion of the World, which remain in China) – this is 200 % Gold for China, what for her ( Hou) removed for Start List of China Team ??? ( Meng Suping and without Kashirina – this is Not Gold). Better removed Li Yajun ( 53 kg) – she really weaker than Ksu ( from Taiwan)

        • wlift84 says

          We’ll see on Friday when the start book is out. Right now I only see the country ALB from the IWF, not a specific name.

          • David says

            I can find no Albanian women athletes who lifted in more than one qualifying competition except for Shqiponje Brahja, who served a doping suspension from 2011 to 2013. I doubt that anyone intended for her to be the replacement athlete.

          • David says

            I can find no Albanian women athletes who lifted in more than one qualifying competition except for Shqiponje Brahja, who served a doping suspension from 2011 to 2013. I doubt that anyone intended for her to be the replacement athlete.

        • wlift84 says

          We’ll see on Friday when the start book is out. Right now I only see the country ALB from the IWF, not a specific name.

  60. David says

    Natalia Priscepa (75 kg, MDA) was also added to the entry list. However, no women from ALB or GEO have been added, even though the Albanian press already publicly announced that Evagjelia Veli (53 kg) would be going: http://top-channel.tv/lajme/artikull.php?id=332365

    Could this be an error by the IWF–to be followed by a revised entry list–or a real change in the decision?

  61. David says

    4 AUGUST 2016
    Verification of final entries meeting (18.00) Weightlifting Technical Congress (20.00)

    6.1.3 The Final Entry Form must be returned to the host Member Federation / Organising Committee (either by fax or e-mail) with a copy to the IWF Secretariat no later than fourteen (14) days before the Technical Congress/ Conference

    6.1.6 Athletes not listed on the Final Entry Form cannot take part in the Event.

    • Святослав says

      Final Entry Form must to be – ( to the IWF Secretariat) – No later than 14 days ( this is 21 July) before the Technical Congress ( which will 4 August 2016 ( in 20.00)). And Replacement Hou Zhihui ( 48 kg) on Meng Suping (+75 kg) only 1 August 2016 year – is Incorrect ( it is Impossible) at Regulations of IWF ??? ????? I right understand ???

      • Realist says

        Under normal circumstances, yes, but this time, everything’s crazy. They banned athletes and allocated new spots to countries just over 1 week from competition so final entry had to change within those 2 weeks, breaking the rules. Then, I’m guessing China said something like, “How come other people get to change and we don’t get to change?” So they let China make some changes to be fair and they brought in mighty Meng Suping.

      • Realist says

        Under normal circumstances, yes, but this time, everything’s crazy. They banned athletes and allocated new spots to countries just over 1 week from competition so final entry had to change within those 2 weeks, breaking the rules. Then, I’m guessing China said something like, “How come other people get to change and we don’t get to change?” So they let China make some changes to be fair and they brought in mighty Meng Suping.

        • David says

          In order to comply with the Late Athlete Replacement Policy, China had to request formal accreditation for Meng Suping prior to 29 April. So, all the time since that date, China was holding Meng in reserve in case the need/opportunity for a replacement arose. After Kashirina was declared ineligible, it was announced the Hou Zhihui was injured. At the time of that announcement, Hou was at the Chinese training camp in São Paulo and Meng was still in China.

        • David says

          In order to comply with the Late Athlete Replacement Policy, China had to request formal accreditation for Meng Suping prior to 29 April. So, all the time since that date, China was holding Meng in reserve in case the need/opportunity for a replacement arose. After Kashirina was declared ineligible, it was announced the Hou Zhihui was injured. At the time of that announcement, Hou was at the Chinese training camp in São Paulo and Meng was still in China.

          • Святослав says

            I think, what Hou Zhihui’s Injury – this is Fake and she is alive and well. ( I saw her ( Hou) in Chinese Airport ( before departure in Rio) and in training in China ( in July) and she was just Excellent

            • Realist says

              If Hou was healthy, I think they would have subbed out Li Yajun instead since there is a chance that she could lose to Hsu. I think we’re so surrounded by shocking discoveries this Olympics that we’re being skeptical about everything we’re being told now.

            • Realist says

              If Hou was healthy, I think they would have subbed out Li Yajun instead since there is a chance that she could lose to Hsu. I think we’re so surrounded by shocking discoveries this Olympics that we’re being skeptical about everything we’re being told now.

          • Святослав says

            I think, what Hou Zhihui’s Injury – this is Fake and she is alive and well. ( I saw her ( Hou) in Chinese Airport ( before departure in Rio) and in training in China ( in July) and she was just Excellent

    • Святослав says

      Final Entry Form must to be – ( to the IWF Secretariat) – No later than 14 days ( this is 21 July) before the Technical Congress ( which will 4 August 2016 ( in 20.00)). And Replacement Hou Zhihui ( 48 kg) on Meng Suping (+75 kg) only 1 August 2016 year – is Incorrect ( it is Impossible) at Regulations of IWF ??? ????? I right understand ???

  62. David says

    4 AUGUST 2016
    Verification of final entries meeting (18.00) Weightlifting Technical Congress (20.00)

    6.1.3 The Final Entry Form must be returned to the host Member Federation / Organising Committee (either by fax or e-mail) with a copy to the IWF Secretariat no later than fourteen (14) days before the Technical Congress/ Conference

    6.1.6 Athletes not listed on the Final Entry Form cannot take part in the Event.

  63. David says

    It is claimed that Hou Zhihui has an injury. The Team Leaders’ Guide contains a Late Athlete Replacement Policy (pp. 12-14), which among other things specifies the following:

    [1] Such replacement will only occur where there are urgent medical conditions preventing participation of an athlete, or otherwise on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances.

    [2] The NOC of the replacement athlete had applied successfully for accreditation for the athlete prior to 29 April 2016 (accreditation application deadline). As such, the replacement athlete has been registered by Rio 2016 in the NOC’s Athlete Accreditation Long List

    [3] The accreditation card of the replaced athlete must be returned to an Accreditation Centre in order to allow for entitlements to be transferred to the replacement athlete. Following the transfer, the replaced athlete’s accreditation will be deactivated unless the replacement was by a P athlete, in which case entitlements may be swapped upon the decision of the NOC.

  64. David says

    It is claimed that Hou Zhihui has an injury. The Team Leaders’ Guide contains a Late Athlete Replacement Policy (pp. 12-14), which among other things specifies the following:

    [1] Such replacement will only occur where there are urgent medical conditions preventing participation of an athlete, or otherwise on a case-by-case basis for exceptional circumstances.

    [2] The NOC of the replacement athlete had applied successfully for accreditation for the athlete prior to 29 April 2016 (accreditation application deadline). As such, the replacement athlete has been registered by Rio 2016 in the NOC’s Athlete Accreditation Long List

    [3] The accreditation card of the replaced athlete must be returned to an Accreditation Centre in order to allow for entitlements to be transferred to the replacement athlete. Following the transfer, the replaced athlete’s accreditation will be deactivated unless the replacement was by a P athlete, in which case entitlements may be swapped upon the decision of the NOC.

  65. vlad says

    Total mess… First of all, sorry to rub salt into open wounds again, but why haven’t Kazakhstan and Belarus been banned but only Russia (and previously Bulgaria), after playing all these games between IOC, WADA and IWF? Not demonstrating any preference here, just as a matter of justice. Why only selective re-testing of 2008 and 2012 Olympics – what about complete re-testing of World, continental and all IWF-sanctioned events in the meantime? Yeah, there will be some weightlifting at Rio, but the bitter taste will stay for a long time…

    • Denissssss says

      As I understood, one of the reasons for selective re-testing is that new testing methods are quite expensive and IWF can’t afford or doesn’t want to re-test all samples. Re-testing of samples from Olympics is paid by IOC and involves not only weightlifting

      • vlad says

        Sure, you are right about the practical implications. However implemented this way it turns more to a formal punitive action against a limited set of athletes rather than a systematic anti-doping policy at scale. I understand one possible reasoning behind that – maybe they were thinking that it was better to f*ck some athletes as a demonstration for the others. Which does not make it more fair, as those recently introduced rules are not just flawed in many ways but IOC&IWF don’t even apply them consistently.

      • vlad says

        Sure, you are right about the practical implications. However implemented this way it turns more to a formal punitive action against a limited set of athletes rather than a systematic anti-doping policy at scale. I understand one possible reasoning behind that – maybe they were thinking that it was better to f*ck some athletes as a demonstration for the others. Which does not make it more fair, as those recently introduced rules are not just flawed in many ways but IOC&IWF don’t even apply them consistently.

    • Denissssss says

      As I understood, one of the reasons for selective re-testing is that new testing methods are quite expensive and IWF can’t afford or doesn’t want to re-test all samples. Re-testing of samples from Olympics is paid by IOC and involves not only weightlifting

  66. Святослав says

    Will be very Ridiculous, if Meng Suping fail to win ( after replacement 100 % favorite in 48 kg ( Hou ) to Eternal Second Meng Suping ). China , last 4 year, had ( in weight 48 kg) 100 % favorite and Gold Medalist ( in Rio) – Tan Yayun ( 2 Time World Champion-2013, 2014 ), and now and young Hou – OUT Rio. Liao Hui – best Chinese Lifter leave of Sport ( because of the decision of Chinese Coaches) , I think ( now) also and Tan Yayun can will Leave of Sport ( Gold in Rio in 48 kg – this was her ( Tan Yayun) Gold).

    • zbro83 says

      With whom can she lose? I mean Meng Suping… It is clearly tactical move, chinese are sure that if she does 130+170 she will win. And she probably can do 145+190 if pushed.

    • zbro83 says

      With whom can she lose? I mean Meng Suping… It is clearly tactical move, chinese are sure that if she does 130+170 she will win. And she probably can do 145+190 if pushed.

  67. Святослав says

    Will be very Ridiculous, if Meng Suping fail to win ( after replacement 100 % favorite in 48 kg ( Hou ) to Eternal Second Meng Suping ). China , last 4 year, had ( in weight 48 kg) 100 % favorite and Gold Medalist ( in Rio) – Tan Yayun ( 2 Time World Champion-2013, 2014 ), and now and young Hou – OUT Rio. Liao Hui – best Chinese Lifter leave of Sport ( because of the decision of Chinese Coaches) , I think ( now) also and Tan Yayun can will Leave of Sport ( Gold in Rio in 48 kg – this was her ( Tan Yayun) Gold).

  68. Rafs says

    Hey Gregor do you have a compilation/entry list of RIO16 in Excel sheet?

    Thanks man!

  69. Rafs says

    Hey Gregor do you have a compilation/entry list of RIO16 in Excel sheet?

    Thanks man!

  74. TheTurk says

    Hey Sir Gregor, the start book has already been published. Update the page 🙂

  75. TheTurk says

    Hey Sir Gregor, the start book has already been published. Update the page 🙂

  76. grobpote says

    MUNKHJANTSAN Ankhtsetseg is going to cut for 69 kg? Interesting. I also see quite a few big entry numbers in the +105 kg – some of those guys will have to start pretty high to live up to it…

  79. Denissssss says

    Sad that Chen Shih-Chieh got into the B group. I heard that he and his coaches thought of 200 + 245. They should have posted at least 435 entry total.

    • grobpote says

      True. I wouldn’t let anybody to come up with numbers on their own. Last intl comp result should be used – worlds or asian champs for example – what we actually saw him or her lifting.

    • grobpote says

      True. I wouldn’t let anybody to come up with numbers on their own. Last intl comp result should be used – worlds or asian champs for example – what we actually saw him or her lifting.

  80. Denissssss says

    Sad that Chen Shih-Chieh got into the B group. I heard that he and his coaches thought of 200 + 245. They should have posted at least 435 entry total.

  81. GHM says

    I guess IOC and IWF is trying to milk audience as much as possible with only 6-8 lifters in some sessions.

  82. johle says

    Can someone anatomical tell me how Miyake saved that 81kg snatch? I mean I’m stoked that she managed to get a medal at the end of her career but it did look like she touched the floor.
    Meh who cares, she got the bronze, yay! 🙂

  83. johle says

    Can someone anatomical tell me how Miyake saved that 81kg snatch? I mean I’m stoked that she managed to get a medal at the end of her career but it did look like she touched the floor.
    Meh who cares, she got the bronze, yay! 🙂

  86. Realist says

    That was an extremely stupid mistake on the Chinese coach’s behalf in the 53kg! When Hsu went for 112, they should have took that as a signal that not all was well with Hsu and asked for 113! Hsu’s down by 1 lift so from there on out, just ask for 1 kg heavier than whatever Hsu goes for. There was no reason to go higher; Li wasn’t gonna make any WR anyway. I KNEW they should have pulled Li for Meng Suping and kept Hou Zhihui in.

    • wlift84 says

      That was the worst coaching I’ve ever seen. What an absolute embarrassment.

      Take 123 again! Jesus Christ, I can’t believe it.

      • Realist says

        Forget 123! Take 113 and leave all the pressure on Hsu to decide how high to go! She’s not perfectly healthy so it’s especially difficult for her to gauge her abilities at this time. They didn’t take advantage of that at all! They were having Li lift as if they were completely uninformed on where Hsu was. I think if Li failed 101, they might have done better. Going into the C&J 2kg under Hsu’s 100 might have invoked some thought into them to up Li’s lifts by 2kg to get on top each lift.

        • wlift84 says

          But until the moment Hsu couldn’t stand up with 126 nobody knew if they were bluffing or not. She did 125 in Houston and the clean there was a joke.

          They needed to stick to their game!

          They didn’t go with Taiwan in lowering weights, but they did so by increasing weights. They were played.

          It’s incomprehensible in which manner they gave this away.

          • Realist says

            It doesn’t matter if Hsu was good for 126; 113 would still be the right call. If Li took 113, then Hsu did 126, Li would have lost on ability. That’s an unavoidable loss. But if Hsu wasn’t good for 126, then Li would have been at 127 at that point, failed, but still had the 113 and won. When your opponent gives you this unique opportunity, by throwing away one of their lifts on an an extremely light weight, you take it and you follow! What’s 123 good for? Is it any record? No! Gold on 123 is just as good as gold on 113! If Hsu did 112, 125, then Li would still need 126. If Hsu did 112, 125X, then Li would still be up for 126, except it wouldn’t matter if she makes it if she had 113 already. The point is, 113 beats 112 just as well as 123 does, except without any risk. the purpose of Li’s first lift was to get her into gold place position and they forgot that; they thought it was to show off her normal progression.

            There is a basic strategy of weightlifting success and that is, you want to have at least as many lifts left as your opponent, but be in gold position. Once you get that, you can just follow by 1 kg and leave all the guess work and pressure on your opponent. This is like the 6 o’clock position of plane fighting. Very rarely does someone of peer-level ability give you this position like Hsu offered it up to Li without a fight by taking 112. Usually, they both take serious openers (like 123 for both) and have to fight for this position.

            If you recall, in 2014 Incheon, Lin Qingfeng took this position from Kim MyongHyok. Kim took 182, Lin took 184 and at this point, Lin was in the gold medal position both with 2 lifts left. He didn’t stick to any game plan and take 188; he immediately recognized this advantage and took to +1kg of whatever Kim asked for. Kim missed 190 so Lin waited for him to get a score before answering (he didn’t take 191) because Lin was already on gold, and when you’re on gold, you don’t answer unless you have something you need to answer to and you answer with the minimum amount needed to reduce risk of failure (something Li Yajun’s coaches didn’t get and tried to answer 112 with 123!). Kim tried to go higher and higher to buy resting time but Lin always went 1kg higher to push Kim out first even into weights that he knew he couldn’t make because he knew that if this game of chicken went to the end, he would either lose by lack of ability (unavoidable) or he would win from strategy. This time, even though they were offered this position, they did not play this strategy with Chinese Taipei and lifted as though it was a training session and the natural progression for Li was to be followed. They paid dearly for this stupidity.

            The only time when you would stick to your game plan despite this opportunity is if you were confident of a WR, and were the last lifter on the stage (starting after everyone else finished). You need an appropriate (heavier than +1 of the last fella) weight to warm up to the WR with and don’t have time to do that backstage cus you’re the last guy left.

        • wlift84 says

          But until the moment Hsu couldn’t stand up with 126 nobody knew if they were bluffing or not. She did 125 in Houston and the clean there was a joke.

          They needed to stick to their game!

          They didn’t go with Taiwan in lowering weights, but they did so by increasing weights. They were played.

          It’s incomprehensible in which manner they gave this away.

      • Realist says

        Forget 123! Take 113 and leave all the pressure on Hsu to decide how high to go! She’s not perfectly healthy so it’s especially difficult for her to gauge her abilities at this time. They didn’t take advantage of that at all! They were having Li lift as if they were completely uninformed on where Hsu was. I think if Li failed 101, they might have done better. Going into the C&J 2kg under Hsu’s 100 might have invoked some thought into them to up Li’s lifts by 2kg to get on top each lift.

      • Realist says

        Update: The 3 lights in the coaches’ room showed 2 white, 1 red. Wang Guoxin thought 123 was a pass before asking for 126 and nobody informed him of the error!!

    • wlift84 says

      That was the worst coaching I’ve ever seen. What an absolute embarrassment.

      Take 123 again! Jesus Christ, I can’t believe it.

  87. Realist says

    That was an extremely stupid mistake on the Chinese coach’s behalf in the 53kg! When Hsu went for 112, they should have took that as a signal that not all was well with Hsu and asked for 113! Hsu’s down by 1 lift so from there on out, just ask for 1 kg heavier than whatever Hsu goes for. There was no reason to go higher; Li wasn’t gonna make any WR anyway. I KNEW they should have pulled Li for Meng Suping and kept Hou Zhihui in.

  88. Dirty Harry says

    Hi champs. You can also see live (and free) broadcast from app ‘yle rio 2016′, finnish national tv. Go to’ohjelmat ja tulokset’ and you can watch live ‘suora’ casts. But before that I think you have to switch to finnish ip as gregor presented to see bbc casts… as a hint, painonnosto means weightlifting.
    Chears, Harry

  89. Dirty Harry says

    Hi champs. You can also see live (and free) broadcast from app ‘yle rio 2016′, finnish national tv. Go to’ohjelmat ja tulokset’ and you can watch live ‘suora’ casts. But before that I think you have to switch to finnish ip as gregor presented to see bbc casts… as a hint, painonnosto means weightlifting.
    Chears, Harry

  90. Святослав says

    Repeating History 2012 ( in weight 53 kg) – for Chinese Team ( in 53 kg in Rio again – without Gold Medal). Stupid Mistake of Chinese Coaches, replacement need was in weight 53 kg, but Not 48 kg. If Hou was with Injury , then need was in 48 kg ( how replacement Hou) TAN YAYUN ( 2 time World Champion -2013 2014) in Rio, Tan Yayun – this is was Gold in Rio, Li Yajun ( in 53 kg) – this is ZERO ( 0 ) – how and in London-2012.

  91. Святослав says

    Repeating History 2012 ( in weight 53 kg) – for Chinese Team ( in 53 kg in Rio again – without Gold Medal). Stupid Mistake of Chinese Coaches, replacement need was in weight 53 kg, but Not 48 kg. If Hou was with Injury , then need was in 48 kg ( how replacement Hou) TAN YAYUN ( 2 time World Champion -2013 2014) in Rio, Tan Yayun – this is was Gold in Rio, Li Yajun ( in 53 kg) – this is ZERO ( 0 ) – how and in London-2012.

  92. Realist says

    AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Long Qingquan!!!! Beers for everyone!!

    I thought the game was over after Om got 134 LOL

  93. grobpote says

    I am very happy for Sopita Tanasan. Choosing to cut for 48 kg was a great decision.
    53 kg was indeed very dramatic. I think Shu simply wanted to make sure she gets the silver with that 112 kg. After that she wanted to try to respond whatever the comp requires. I mean she was strong in good shape. As for Li she also should have started something low like 118 and make a total. Very bad decision from the trainer to go higher after the first failed attempt.
    Men’s 56 kg was intense! Great quality! Both Long and Om were excellent. As usual Om did his absolute best. I got to know him a much better competitor than Long during these olympic cycle but this time Long couldn’t fail. I mean to raise to 137 after a no lift on 134?The coach was incredibly brave with that. I couldn’t quite understand the 170 because 169 would have been enough but it’s even better for us 🙂
    Also the stronger Thai lifter was a joy to watch!

    • Realist says

      Well, I was thinking they should go for 138 after failing 135 instead of retaking it cus a 1kg lead on Om is nothing, but 132 is good enough to take silver over any other lifter already so 135 is relatively pointless. I dunno why they even took it the first time. I guess they saw it the same way I did the second time around. Long asked for 170 simply because he wanted Om to follow himself on 169 and be finished before Long took his final lift. (To achieve this effect, Long was prepared to go to 171 if needed.) If he asked for 169 as well, Om would he given the opportunity to raise his final lift to 172 to overtake Long by bodyweight again and Om has never failed a final winning clean and jerk before (though it does look like 172 would have been a bit much to ask for this time.)

      • grobpote says

        I understand the 170 kg choice now,thanks. Still a bold move in the snatch 🙂

  94. Realist says

    So apparently, Lin is not starting in the women’s 63kg cus they found something in “her” urine. Assuming the Chinese coaches don’t pull another Li Yajun, this one should be in the bag…

    • grobpote says

      Doesn’t matter that Lin Tzu Chi wasn’t there – she couldn’t have dove anything against her. I just love watching this girl!

  97. Realist says

    Geeze, Shi Zhiyong almost took Liao Hui’s WR! Liao would have come right out of retirement to stop that nonsense right there LOLOL

  98. johle says

    This year Olympics has to be one with the best (and most) snatch saves so far. Miyake and Ismayilov were both amazing. At this rate I sense a compilation at works.

  99. Realist says

    Well, I’ll admit this: 3 years ago, I’d bet my house against a tic tac if you told me that Deng Wei could lift more than Xiang Yanmei from 1 weight class below her and yet, here we are today; Deng Wei 262 from 63kg and Xiang Yanmei 261 from 69kg… This is probably the worst form Xiang Yanmei has ever been in.

    • grobpote says

      And she tried the last weight just to escape to be told exactly that 😀
      Anyway,good for her – you can’t be great every time.

    • vlad says

      Yep, even worse – if Boyanka hasn’t got some… ahem… issues, I guess she would have the potential to reach like 255 in 58kg.

  101. grobpote says

    AHHHHHHH!!!! I can’t believe it! It was absolutely priceless!!!! Moment of the olympics! Rahimov showed Lu how to lift :)))))

    • johle says

      If you combine them then you’d have the best weightlifter ever.
      Though I’m a bit sad that Lu ended in 2nd despite the effort (and that we’ll probably won’t much to him again on the platform) I am impressed that he’s able to perform on the snatch at his age.

      He seemed exceptional exhausted after each lift so the age really has worn on him.

      Kudos to Ehab’s medal too

      • vlad says

        *thumbs up*
        not like best ever ever, but close – hypothetical combined total of 391 would be current Sinclair 492.39 – much better than anything in “clean era” and second behind Naim’s real 500+, in the nice company of Zakharevich, Vardanyan, Zlatev, Varbanov with ~490 from the “doping era”

      • grobpote says

        Of course that 177 was very special – Lu is one of the greats. But you gotta love Rahimov for that kind of stunt. And the dance after that!! :))))

    • Realist says

      Ah, this once again shows the advantages of a heavy clean and jerker compared to a heavy snatcher. On the Chinese broadcast, Zhang Guozheng was doing commentary and was shouting, “What?! That’s a pass? Are the judges blind? He was clearly wobbling with it and never stood still!” And the second guy says, “Oh, well! Those types of calls are a part of competition.”

      Rahimov is officially mini Ilya Ilyin. We’ll see if his medal stays put or goes the way Ilya’s went as well. If I’m right, no Kazakh weightlifting Olympic champion from 2008-2012 is keeping his/her gold medal. We may have to wait till 2024 to be sure -_-

  102. vlad says

    Aaaargh, those f*ckin deep squat jerks will give me a heart attack some day. Why don’t someone teach the chinese athletes how to jerk normally (like Liao Hui did) and be more consistent. Unbelievable Rahimov, it has been sooooo long since we had over 210 in 80s kg categories.

      • XtremeCreative says

        Chill dude. If you’re lucky some sessions find their way on youtube in a few weeks. But most likely it will take months if not years because atm youtube will delete copyrighted material of the olympics very fast. It’s all about the money and the big tv stations had to pay big for the rights to send olympia footage. Therefore they try hard to keep it off youtube right now.

    • Denissssss says

      Right now there’s one full video of 77 on youtube, check before it is deleted!

  105. johle says

    well 85’s was a nerve wreaking battle in terms of missing multiple attempts, CHN almost relived their failure like in London if he didn’t manage that jerk (almost power jerk?).
    Rostami with a well deserved win but whats with the absurd performance by Sincraian? 217 C&J when his previous best was 202.
    The competition level this year has risen 10kg+ compared to London 2012. Crazy!

  106. PM says

    Past recordings are available on Polish national sport tv. Get a Polish IP and go search “sport tvp rio”. In “dyscypliny” select “podnoszenie ciężarów” and browse the “wideo” section.

  107. Realist says

    I am going to throw up. Seriously? 130+177 from Meng Suping? Failed openers 125+175? Last lift to win? There shouldn’t have even been a competition for Meng. In general, all the Chinese athletes are effed up this year (except Long and Deng Wei). With everything going as it is this year, I honestly thought Meng wouldn’t make 177.

    Zhang Guozheng was the commentator this time and he said that when a reporter asked him if he was confident of the win in the 75+, Zhang answered, “I can’t say anything with confidence this time…” He also said that in the last half year, Meng Suping has made 195 clean and jerk 3 times. And at the medalling ceremony, he said, “Even though Meng won the gold medal, there will be repercussions to performing like that when she returns to China.” But he quickly added that he was joking and that it will probably be an amicable scolding.

    At the interview, Meng said that she was extremely nervous and stiff for the snatch and she forced herself every time to hold it for the clean and jerk. After finding out she was not selected to go to Rio, she continued to train in China, hoping she would somehow be given a chance. She said if she’d went on break after finding out she wasn’t selected, she wouldn’t be able to get back in form in time to compete today.

  108. Realist says

    I am going to throw up. Seriously? 130+177 from Meng Suping? Failed openers 125+175? Last lift to win? There shouldn’t have even been a competition for Meng. In general, all the Chinese athletes are effed up this year (except Long and Deng Wei). With everything going as it is this year, I honestly thought Meng wouldn’t make 177.

    Zhang Guozheng was the commentator this time and he said that when a reporter asked him if he was confident of the win in the 75+, Zhang answered, “I can’t say anything with confidence this time…” He also said that in the last half year, Meng Suping has made 195 clean and jerk 3 times. And at the medalling ceremony, he said, “Even though Meng won the gold medal, there will be repercussions to performing like that when she returns to China.” But he quickly added that he was joking and that it will probably be an amicable scolding.

    At the interview, Meng said that she was extremely nervous and stiff for the snatch and she forced herself every time to hold it for the clean and jerk. After finding out she was not selected to go to Rio, she continued to train in China, hoping she would somehow be given a chance. She said if she’d went on break after finding out she wasn’t selected, she wouldn’t be able to get back in form in time to compete today.

    • Rafs says

      You always have a good points, You can share more about tomorrow (15/08) for 105men and 105+ ? Before start ? Thanks for contribuition apreciated

    • Rafs says

      You always have a good points, You can share more about tomorrow (15/08) for 105men and 105+ ? Before start ? Thanks for contribuition apreciated

      • Realist says

        Before start? I dunno anything before the start. I watch the Chinese CCTV5 and translate what I hear during competition. I’ll do my best for the 105 but the 105+ probably won’t be on air since China will not compete there. Zhang Guozheng will coach Yang Zhe for the 105 and he said that there are several strong opponents (some overwhelmingly stronger) and that the goal is to simply get into the medals; any color will do.

      • Realist says

        Before start? I dunno anything before the start. I watch the Chinese CCTV5 and translate what I hear during competition. I’ll do my best for the 105 but the 105+ probably won’t be on air since China will not compete there. Zhang Guozheng will coach Yang Zhe for the 105 and he said that there are several strong opponents (some overwhelmingly stronger) and that the goal is to simply get into the medals; any color will do.

          • Realist says

            YuJie handles all men from 56-85. Zhang Guozheng takes over starting from Liu Hao (94) and Yang Zhe (105).

          • Realist says

            YuJie handles all men from 56-85. Zhang Guozheng takes over starting from Liu Hao (94) and Yang Zhe (105).

    • wlift84 says

      These were plainly poor results. It very much looked like she stopped training (not her fault ofc).

      Long was the least likely to win and did it by 4kg, Meng had a 30kg paper advantage but did it by 1kg.

      Xiang was also low, didn’t she previously say totaling under 270 is unacceptable?

      After Long’s surprise WR I thought China can get 9 Golds. Very mixed team performance, just like in London.

      • Realist says

        9 golds? Long’s performance must have really energized you if you thought Yang Zhe would get gold. Li Yajun has already bombed by the time Long lifted. Anyway, still a spark of hope in me for today’s 105. Yang Zhe go! 195+227 and if Nurudinov decides to eat local food and ends up weighing in at 92.2kg with dysentry, there’s a chance! LOL

    • GHM says

      75+ was an excellent above average (Asian, Pan AM, Euro) championship. I am very happy spend time watching it.

      It was a 2nd best women competition in Rio after 58 kg IMO.

    • Leviathar says

      I have no idea, it seems stupid to take it as it got the same benfits as caffeine but why the hell would he choose rat poison over coffee, i will just assume he took pwo from Kyrgistan and he wasnt aware of that substance.

    • Leviathar says

      I have no idea, it seems stupid to take it as it got the same benfits as caffeine but why the hell would he choose rat poison over coffee, i will just assume he took pwo from Kyrgistan and he wasnt aware of that substance.

    • GHM says

      His coaches and trainers are directly responsible if weightlifting is removed from Olympics. I doubt Japan (Tokyo 2020) would allow weightlifting to be removed but there is a possibility of removal in 2024.

      I really hope we do not get anymore positive samples. My worries are about men 85 and +105 samples. Keep our fingers crossed