The Junior World Championships started today, the 19 th of September 2024, in Leon with the first competition session, that of the 49 Kg Group B category.
With less than 24 hours before the start of the IWF World Junior Championships in Leon, the opening Press Conference of the event took place in the Town Hall of the Spanish historical city. Vicente Canuria, in charge of the municipal Sports’ affairs, welcomed Antonio Conflitti, President of the European Weightlifting Federation and IWF Executive Board Member, and Constatino Iglesias, President of the Spanish Weightlifting Federation, for a brief presentation of the competition.
“We are a relatively small city in Spain, and we are very proud of hosting this event. Normally, these big organizations go to bigger cities, but we got excited about bringing these Championships here from the very beginning”, considered Mr. Canuria.
“This effort will certainly pay off, as this will inspire more young athletes to practice this beautiful sport. Moreover, we shouldn’t forget that one of the most emblematic and successful Spanish athletes in history was from this region – Lydia Valentin. Her feats elevated the level of weightlifting in the entire country, and she will naturally be the star at the Opening Ceremony of the Championships tomorrow”, he concluded.
Valentin, three-time Olympic medalist (including one gold in London 2012) and with four podium presences at world level, was also cited by Mr. Conflitti in his speech: “She is part of a very successful tradition of the Sport in Spain and she is remembered not only because of her performances but also for her fair-play spirit. She is an example for all these younger lifters, and let’s not forget that she was the first person to be awarded with the EWF Fair Play Trophy for the sports career in the spirit of the Olympic and the clean sport values”, Mr Conflitti recalled.
About the organizing city of Leon, the EWF President named it “world capital of junior weightlifting for the upcoming 10 days”. Highlighting the great hospitality and support received from the local authorities, Mr. Conflitti underlined the relevance of the event: “This age group is very important for us. The reason is simple: from this exceptional group of athletes, we will see many of them shining at the upcoming editions of the Olympic Games.”
“On behalf of the IWF President Mohammed Jalood, I extend my appreciation and gratitude to the authorities of the city of Leon, as well as to the Spanish Weightlifting Federation for their constant support and enthusiasm”, said Mr. Conflitti. He also mentioned the importance for Europe to have a world event on its continent, wishing, at the end, best of luck to all participants.
Constantino Iglesias was also a happy man, recalling that “over a thousand people from the world of weightlifting will be gathering in Leon by these days”. The President of the Spanish Federation has no doubt that these Championships “will be a great event”.
Before this Press Conference, the population of Leon had had a first contact with the Championships, after the organization on Tuesday afternoon of a small presentation in one the town’s main square.
On that occasion, the Mayor José Antonio Diez welcomed the IWF, EWF and Spanish Weightlifting Federation representatives for a short public interaction will all those interested in knowing more details about the event.
Achilleas Tsogas (IWF CEO), Mr. Conflitti and Mr. Iglesias were joined by athlete Uxia Romero (taking part in the 64kg event in Leon) for a demonstration of the Sport.
The IWF World Junior Championships will take place from September 19-27, and will be attended by more than 350 lifters from around 60 nations from the 5 continents.
Good luck to all!
Photos by IWF