Ahmedabad to Host 2029 World Weightlifting Championships

Ahmedabad will host the Senior World Weightlifting Championships in 2029, the first time India has hosted the senior edition of the competition. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) confirmed the decision on 25 October 2026, after an Executive Board meeting in Ningbo, China.

Host selection and event details

The IWF awarded the 2029 hosting rights to Ahmedabad after considering bids from Russia and Venezuela. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced the decision on 25 October 2026. At the same Executive Board meeting, the IWF awarded the 2030 Senior World Weightlifting Championships to Moscow, Russia. The 2029 championship will also be a qualifying event for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which India is scheduled to host in Ahmedabad. The competition will bring the senior world championship to India for the first time.

Weightlifting and the IWF

The International Weightlifting Federation is the international governing body for the sport of weightlifting. Competitive weightlifting consists of two lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. In the snatch, an athlete lifts the barbell from the platform to overhead in one continuous movement. In the clean and jerk, the athlete first lifts the barbell to the shoulders and then raises it overhead. Athletes compete in weight categories, and their result is based on the combined total of their best successful snatch and clean-and-jerk attempts. The IWF organises the Senior World Weightlifting Championships, a competition distinct from continental championships such as the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships.

Weightlifting events in Gujarat

Ahmedabad hosted the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, while Gandhinagar hosted the 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships. Both events were held in Gujarat before the state secured the 2029 world championship.

Important Facts for Exams

• The snatch and the clean and jerk are the two lifts in competitive weightlifting.
• The IWF confirmed Ahmedabad as the host of the 2029 Senior World Weightlifting Championships on 25 October 2026.
• The 2029 championship is a qualifying event for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
• Moscow will host the 2030 Senior World Weightlifting Championships.

Ahmedabad is scheduled to host both the 2029 Senior World Weightlifting Championships and the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships took place in Ahmedabad, and the 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships took place in Gandhinagar.