The EWF Executive Board convened in Durrës, Albania, on 2 November 2025, to deliberate on key updates and strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the development of weightlifting across Europe. Several significant decisions were adopted during the session.
Updates from the EWF Athletes Commission
EWF Executive Board members were informed about the results of the recent EWF Athletes Commission (EWF AC) decisions. Ivona Gavran (CRO) was elected as the new EWF AC Chairperson, and Despina Polaktsidou (GRE) as EWF AC Secretary. Both were introduced to the Executive Board, expressing their enthusiasm for close cooperation with the EWF community to further develop weightlifting in Europe. EWF President congratulated the newly elected EWF AC officials, emphasizing the importance of athlete engagement in shaping the future of the sport. He highlighted the role of the AC Chairperson as a full member of the EWF Executive Board and underlined the Federation’s commitment to involving Athletes Commission representatives in future EWF activities, including training camps and the selection process for the 2025 Best European Weightlifter Awards.
Appointment of Additional Executive Board Members
Following the Executive Board’s decision to appoint two additional members, Hristov Stefan Botev (BUL) and Rusudani Muradashvili (GEO), the EWF General Secretary informed the members that all necessary documentation had been submitted to the EWF Vetting Panel. The Vetting Panel confirmed that both candidates meet all eligibility criteria. Upon presentation of the Vetting Panel’s report, the Executive Board unanimously approved the appointments of Botev and Muradashvili as new EWF Executive Board members. The appointment of Ms. Muradashvili represents a significant milestone for the EWF, as it further strengthens gender balance within the organization, marking a 150% increase in female representation and bringing the total to five women serving on the EWF Executive Board.
2026 European Championships – Dates and Venues Confirmed
The Executive Board confirmed the following dates and host cities for the 2026 European Championships:
European Championships – Batumi, Georgia
- 16 April – Meetings of the EWF Committees and Executive Board
- 17 April – EWF Congress
- 18 April – EWF Seminar, ITOs Meeting, and Opening Ceremony
- 19–26 April – Competition Days
- 27 April – Departure of Delegations
European Youth & U15 Championships – Elbasan, Albania
- 1 August – EWF Seminar, ITOs Meeting, and Opening Ceremony
- 2–9 August – Competition Days
- 10 August – Departure of Delegations
European Junior & U23 Championships – Lublin, Poland
- 22 September – EWF Seminar, ITOs Meeting, and Opening Ceremony
- 23–30 September – Competition Days
- 1 October – Departure of Delegations
Additionally, it was decided that the 2027 edition of the European Youth & U15 Championships will be hosted in Riga, Latvia, while the 2028 edition will take place in Toulouse, France.
EWF Training Camps 2026
The EWF Executive Board approved the allocation of two EWF Training Camps for 2026:
- Switzerland: 13–20 July 2026
- Armenia: November/December 2026
Preparations for 2025 EWF – AIPS Europe Awards
Preparations are underway for the 2025 EWF–AIPS Europe Award for the Best European Weightlifter and the EWF–AIPS Europe Rising Star of the Year 2025, which will be presented in April 2026 during the Opening Ceremony of the European Senior Championships in Batumi (GEO).
A dedicated working group has been established to propose nominees. The group will prepare a preliminary list of candidates to be reviewed by the EWF Executive Board before being submitted to AIPS Europe for final selection. The working group includes:
- Jesmond Caruana, EWF CRSC Chairman (Chair of the group)
- Ivona Gavran, EWF AC Chairperson
- Despina Polaktsidou, EWF AC Secretary
The EWF Executive Board meeting in Durrës reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to unity and progressive strategies, upholding the fundamental values of inclusion, integrity, respect, and fair play throughout the European weightlifting community.