Beginning in 2018, the IWF Executive Board approved and the Congress ratified ten bodyweight categories each for women and men. Since then, from November 1, 2018, at the IWF World Championships in Ashgabat (TKM), through to the conclusion of the Asian Championships on May 15, numerous continental and world records have been set across these ten categories.
European weightlifters made their final appearances under this system at the IWF World Youth & Junior Championships in Lima (PER), which took place from April 30 to May 5, 2025, and European records were broken for the final time.
As our sport has continued to evolve, the need for adaptation has become evident.
Consequently, in December 2024 and May 2025, new sets of eight bodyweight categories for both men and women were confirmed, applicable across all three age categories.
To further inspire young athletes, the European Weightlifting Federation had previously established the U15 and U23 age categories. Accordingly, the 2025 EWF European Youth & U15 Championships, which will be held in Madrid (ESP) from July 23 to July 31, will be the first European competition to use the recently accepted bodyweight categories and provide a chance to set new European records.
In recognition of the achievements under the previous bodyweight category system, the European Weightlifting Federation is pleased to present the official list of European records set between 2018 and 2025.
These records reflect a significant era in the sport’s development, and many of them have set lasting benchmarks for excellence. As the sport transitions to a new framework, these records will now be respectfully archived.
The EWF Technical Committee is currently developing the new European records standards, which will be revealed shortly.
These records reflect a significant era in the sport’s development, and many of them have set lasting benchmarks for excellence. As the sport transitions to a new framework, these records will now be respectfully archived.
The EWF Technical Committee is currently developing the new European records standards, which will be revealed shortly.
EWF expresses its deepest appreciation to the weightlifters who made history during this time by competing and breaking European records. Their performances remain a lasting legacy in the annals of European weightlifting.