Prepared by Dr Milan Mihajlovic, FISU TCC Weightlifting
The 7th edition of the FISU World University Championship Weightlifting was successfully held in Doha, Qatar, from 8 to 12 September 2026. The championship brought together 112 university athletes from 21 countries, who competed over five days across all eight IWF bodyweight categories.
The Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU, International University Sports Federation) was formally established following its constitutive General Assembly on 1 June 1949. However, the history of international university sport extends considerably further back.
Weightlifting has been an important part of FISU’s Universiade and World University Championship programme for many years, with previous editions held in countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
The FISU competitions in Weightlifting have included the following editions:
- 2008 – Komotini, Greece
- 2010 – Taichung, Chinese Taipei
- 2011 – 26th Summer Universiade, Shenzhen, China
- 2012 – Eilat, Israel
- 2013 – 27th Summer Universiade, Kazan, Russia
- 2014 – Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 2016 – Mérida, Mexico
- 2017 – 29th Summer Universiade, Taipei City, Chinese Taipei
- 2018 – Biała Podlaska, Poland
- 2026 – Doha, Qatar
The championship in Doha was organised by the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation, which delivered a highly successful event and provided an excellent environment for athletes, officials and delegations.
The opening ceremony was attended by the FISU Executive Board, Member Marko Zunic, together with the Chairman of the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation, Dr. Al Nuaimi, and IWF President Mohamed Jaloud, who also participated in the inaugural medal ceremonies and personally presented medals to the athletes who secured the first medals of the 2026 FISU World University Championship.
Over five days of competition at the Education City Student Center, one of Doha’s prominent venues and a central hub for university students and sporting activities, the competition created many memorable and emotional moments for athletes and delegations.
Beyond the sporting results, the event provided an important opportunity for university athletes from different countries and cultures to meet, compete and develop lasting international friendships. The atmosphere throughout the championship reflected the values of university sport: excellence, friendship, respect and fair play.
The 2026 championship represents a particularly historic occasion for Qatari weightlifting. For the first time, Qatar hosted the FISU World University Championship Weightlifting, and for the first time, Qatari weightlifters won FISU medals. Ouisal Ikhlef won the gold medal in the Women’s +86 kg bodyweight category.
This achievement reflects the continued growth of university sport in Qatar and the country’s strong commitment to developing young athletes and supporting their participation on the international stage.
In addition to the individual medal winners, special recognition was given to the leading teams and athletes of the championship.
Awards and rankings included the top six men’s and women’s teams, as well as recognition of the best male and female athletes.
Best Women’s teams: 1 TPE, 2 KOR, 3 ESP, 4 HUN, 5 PUR, 6 POL
Best Men’s teams: 1 KOR, 2 MDA, 3 SRI, 4 USA, 5 TPE, 6 POL
The Best Women’s Athlete award was presented to Yi-Chen Huang (TPE), while George Upmeyer (USA) was named the Best Men’s Athlete.
The successful conclusion of the 2026 FISU World University Championship Weightlifting in Doha marked another important success chapter in the development of university weightlifting worldwide, with the FISU flag formally handed over by the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation Secretary General, Mr. Rashid Saed Mohammed, to Ms. Sarita Santiago, FISU representative, symbolizing the official transition to the next edition of the FISU World University Championships.
The next FISU World University Championship Weightlifting is scheduled to take place in Tirana, Albania, in 2028. The upcoming championship will provide another opportunity for university athletes from around the world to compete at the highest international level and continue the strong tradition established through previous editions.
The Doha championship demonstrated once again the ability of university sport to bring together young athletes from around the world in a spirit of competition, friendship and mutual respect. With the continued cooperation of FISU, IWF, national and university sports organisations, and host countries, weightlifting within the university sports movement has a strong foundation for further international growth.
MEDALISTS – Photos by FISU
