The World University Weightlifting Championships, hosted by Doha from September 8 to 12, will open today, with the participation of about 116 athletes from 21 countries, with a simple ceremony marking the official launch of the championship competitions. This came during the press conference held by the organizing committee in the Student Forum Hall in Education City, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar University Sports Federation and Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, and Mr. Rashid Saeed Adiba, Secretary. General Secretariat of the Qatar University Sports Federation and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Mr. Marko Zunic, Member of the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), along with representatives of sponsors, partners and the media.
His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi stressed that hosting the World University Weightlifting Championship – Doha 2026 embodies the State of Qatar’s firm commitment to supporting university sports and enhancing its presence and status on the international arena, expressing his appreciation for the vital role played by partners, sponsors and the media in making the championship a success, introducing its message and goals and reaching the masses in Qatar and around the world.
The Chairman of the Organizing Committee welcomed the participating delegations coming from various countries of the world, stressing that the tournament’s mission goes beyond the boundaries of sports competition, to embody the spirit of university sports and the values of fair competition, and to enhance communication, understanding and friendship between young people from different cultures.
He pointed out that the tournament embodies the core values of the International Federation for University Sports (FISU), foremost among which are excellence, teamwork, innovation, the joy of sports and integrity. These values are integrated with the principles on which the Qatar University Sports Federation is based, thus enhancing its mission to serve and develop university sports.
For his part, Rashid Saeed Odaiba, Secretary General of the Qatar University Sports Federation and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, confirmed the completion of Doha’s readiness to host the tournament, noting that the preparations were made according to an integrated organizational system based on the highest international standards, providing the participating athletes and delegations with an ideal environment that combines technical excellence and organizational efficiency.
He explained that the tenth edition competitions are held under the umbrella of the International Federation for University Sports (FISU), at the Student Forum Hall in the University City, while training sessions are held at the Ezdan Palace Hotel.
21 countries
The tournament witnesses the participation of 21 countries: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Spain, Finland, Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Iraq, Korea, Moldova, Poland, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Chinese Taipei, and the United States of America.
Eight weights for men and women
The competitions include eight weight categories for men: 60, 65, 70, 75, 85, 95, 110 and more than 110 kg, and for women: 49, 53, 57, 61, 69, 77, 86 and more than 86 kg, in the snatch, lift and jerk competitions.
The second championship of the federation
The tournament represents the second global championship organized by the Qatar University Sports Federation since its official launch in 2023, after its success in hosting the 3×3 university basketball championship, which reflects the federation’s growing presence on the international sports scene, and embodies its vision aimed at strengthening the position of the State of Qatar on the map of global university sports.