The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) will host the prestigious Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar from May 11 to 17, 2026. The international championship is set to witness participation from around 200 athletes representing 31 countries, along with nearly 200 coaches, support staff, delegates, and managers.
The event will also see the presence of around 50 international technical officials, dignitaries, and office bearers from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF). Senior officials including IWF President and AWF First Vice President Mohammed Hasan Jalood, AWF President Mohammed Bin Yousuf Al Mana, and AWF General Secretary Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi are expected to attend the championship.
In addition, the Executive Board and Annual Congress meetings of the Asian Weightlifting Federation will be held in Ahmedabad on May 12, 2026.
This marks the fourth time that the Indian Weightlifting Federation has been entrusted with hosting a major international championship, reflecting India’s growing stature in the global weightlifting community. Earlier editions were successfully organized in Pune in 2015, Greater Noida in 2023, and Ahmedabad in 2025, setting new benchmarks for Commonwealth-level competitions.
The Gandhinagar edition is particularly significant as it will serve as a qualifying event for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The championship is expected to inspire the next generation of Indian lifters by providing them exposure against some of the world’s best athletes.
Several elite weightlifters, including Olympic medalists, World Championship medal winners, Asian Games medalists, and Commonwealth champions, are expected to compete during the week-long event.
The official inauguration ceremony will take place on May 12 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in the presence of Gujarat Minister of State for Sports Dr. Jayramsinh Gamit and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi.
The entire event is being organized under the leadership of Dr. Sahdev Yadav, President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation.
