Olympic weightlifting

Olympic weightlifting

Olympic Weightlifting, also called Olympic-style weightlifting, or weightlifting, is an athletic discipline in the modern Olympic programme in which participants attempt a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates.

The two competition lifts in order are the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. Each weightlifter receives three attempts in each and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a bodyweight category. Bodyweight categories are different for women and men. A lifter who fails to complete at least one successful Snatch and one successful Clean and Jerk also fails to 'total' and therefore receives an 'incomplete' entry for the competition. The Clean and Press was once another competition lift but was discontinued due to difficulties in judging proper form.

In comparison with other strength sports which test limit strength (with or without lifting aids), Olympic Weightlifting tests aspects of human ballistic limits (explosive strength) and are therefore executed faster - and with more mobility and a greater range of motion during their execution - than other lifts. The Snatch and Clean and Jerk are both dynamic and explosive while appearing graceful, especially when viewed from a recording at a slowed speed.

While there are relatively few competitive Olympic weightlifters (or more simply lifters), the lifts and their components are commonly used by elite athletes in other sports to train for both explosive and functional strength.

Contents

Competition

The sport is controlled by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Based in Budapest, it was founded in 1905. Male athletes compete in one of eight divisions, and female athletes lift in one of seven divisions determined by their body mass. The men's classes are:

  • 56 kg (123 lb)
  • 62 kg (137 lb)
  • 69 kg (152 lb)
  • 77 kg (170 lb)
  • 85 kg (187 lb)
  • 94 kg (207 lb)
  • 105 kg (231 lb)
  • and over 105 kg;

And the women's are:

  • 48 kg (106 lb)
  • 53 kg (117 lb)
  • 58 kg (128 lb)
  • 63 kg (139 lb)
  • 69 kg (152 lb)
  • 75 kg (165 lb)
  • and over 75 kg.[1]

In each weight division, lifters compete in both the Snatch and Clean and Jerk and prizes are usually given for the heaviest weights lifted in the Snatch, the Clean and Jerk and the Overall - the two lift totals combined. The order of the competition is up to the lifters – the competitor who chooses to attempt the lowest weight goes first. If they are unsuccessful at that weight, they have the option of reattempting at that weight or trying a heavier weight after any other competitors have made attempts at the previous weight or any other intermediate weights. The barbell is loaded incrementally and progresses to a heavier weight throughout the course of competition. Weights are set in 1 kilogram increments and each lifter has a maximum of three attempts in each of the two lifts, regardless of whether they are successful or not.[1]

During competition, the Snatch event takes place first, followed by a short intermission, and then the Clean and Jerk event follows-on. There are two side judges and one head referee who together provide a "successful" or "failed" result for each attempt based on their observation of the lift within the governing body's rules and regulations. A majority of two "successes" is required for any attempt to pass. Usually, the judges' and referee's results are registered via a lighting system with a white light indicating a "successful" lift and a "red" light indicating a "failed" lift. This is done for the benefit of all in attendance be they athlete, coach, administrator or audience.

Also, a "Best Lifter" title is commonly awarded at local competitions. It is awarded to both the best men's and women's lifters. The award is based on a formula which employs the "Sinclair Coefficient", a coefficient derived and approved by the sport's world governing body and which allows for differences in both gender and bodyweight. When the formula is applied to each lifter's overall total and then grouped along with the other competitors' and evaluated, it provides a numeric result which determines the competition's best overall men's and women's lifters. [2] And while, usually, the winner of the heaviest weight class will have lifted the most overall weight during the course of a competition, a lifter in a lighter weight class may still have lifted more weight both relative to his or her own bodyweight and to the Sinclair Coefficient formula thereby garnering the "Best Lifter" award.

Greek commemorative coin featuring modern and ancient weightlifting (latter picture taken from Grecian vase).

History

Men's weightlifting has been an Olympic sport for many decades. Recently, women's weightlifting has become a recognized Olympic sport, although as early as 1987, there were official world championships awarded to women weightlifters such as Karyn Marshall.[3][4][5] In 2011 the International Weightlifting Federation ruled that athletes could wear a full-body "unitard" under the customary weightlifting uniform. [6] Kulsoom Abdullah became the first woman to do so at the U.S. national championships that year, and athletes are allowed to do so at the Olympics. [7] IWF rules previously stated that an athlete's knees and elbows must be visible so officials can determine if a lift is correctly executed. [8]

See also

References

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Olympic Weightlifting Gymnasium — The Woori Financial Art Hall (formerly the Olympic Weightlifting Gymnasium and Olympic Hall) is an musical theatre located in the Olympic Park area of Seoul, South Korea. Constructed between August 1984 and April 1986, it hosted the weightlifting …   Wikipedia

  • Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall — The Nikaia Olympic Weightlifting Hall is an indoor arena in Nikaia, near Piraeus. It hosted the weightlifting events at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.[1] The venue was officially opened on August 14, 2004, the day after the beginning …   Wikipedia

  • Chinese records in Olympic weightlifting — The following are the national records in Olympic weightlifting in PR China. Records are maintained in each weight class for the snatch lift, clean and jerk lift, and the total for both lifts by the Chinese Weightlifting Association. Contents 1… …   Wikipedia

  • Weightlifting — Weightlifting, also called Olympic weightlifting or Olympic style weightlifting, is a sport in which participants attempt a maximum weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates. The two lifts currently competed are the clean and jerk …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Stadium (Athens) — Olympic Stadium OAKA Full name Olympic Stadium Spyros Louis Location Maroussi, Athens, Greece …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Fencing Gymnasium — is an indoor sporting arena located at the Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea. The capacity of the arena is 6,341 people and was built from September 1984 to April 1986 to host fencing and fencing part of the modern pentathlon events at the 1988… …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Park, Seoul — Korean name Hangul 서울 올림픽 공원 Hanja …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Stadium (Seoul) — Seoul Olympic Stadium Jamsil Olympic Stadium Location Songpa gu, Seoul, South Korea Broke ground …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Indoor Hall — O.A.C.A. Olympic Indoor Hall O.A.C.A. Olympic Indoor Hall Full name O.A.C.A. Olympic Indoor Hall Location Athens Olympic Sports Co …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Modern Pentathlon Centre — The Olympic Modern Pentathlon Centre was the site of the modern pentathlon events at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. The venue seats 2,500 for the swimming part of the competition, 5,000 for the riding and running parts each, and… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”