History Made: Ahmedabad to Host 2029 World Weightlifting Championships
India will host the World Weightlifting Championships for the first time in 2029. Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has been selected as the host city.
In a landmark moment for Indian sports, Ahmedabad has been selected to host the World Weightlifting Championships 2029. This marks the very first time that India will stage this prestigious global competition, signaling the country's growing influence and capability in hosting elite international sporting events.
The decision was officially confirmed by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) following an Executive Board meeting held in Ningbo, China. The announcement places Gujarat at the center of the weightlifting world, building on the region's recent experience in managing high-profile athletic meets.
A Growing Hub for Global Sports
Ahmedabad's selection is part of a larger trend of Gujarat becoming a preferred destination for international sports. The city is already gearing up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and the state recently demonstrated its organizational prowess when Gandhinagar hosted the Asian Weightlifting Championships earlier this year.
Global Calendar of Weightlifting
While India prepares for 2029, the IWF has also mapped out several other key events across the globe:
- 2027: Yerevan, Armenia will host the World Weightlifting Championships.
- 2028: Caracas, Venezuela has been awarded the hosting rights for the World Championships.
- 2028 Youth: Prishtina, Kosovo will host the World Youth Championships.
- 2028 Junior: Caracas, Venezuela will also stage the World Junior Championships.
- 2030: Moscow, Russia has been named the host city for the World Championships.
For those following the current circuit, the 2025 edition took place in Forde, Norway, and the next championships are set to be held in Ningbo, China, from October 27 to November 8.
India's Legacy in World Weightlifting
Hosting the event in 2029 is a fitting tribute to the success Indian athletes have achieved on the world stage. To date, Indian weightlifters have amassed a total of 18 medals at the World Weightlifting Championships, including three gold, 10 silver, and five bronze medals.
The Pioneers of Indian Weightlifting
The journey began in 1989 in Manchester, where Kunjarani Devi made history as the first Indian to win a medal at the championships, securing silver in the women’s 44kg category. In the same event, Lalita Polley added to the tally with a bronze medal.
The momentum continued in the mid-90s with Karnam Malleswari, who dominated the women’s 54kg category by winning back-to-back world titles in 1994 and 1995. More recently, the legacy was carried forward by Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu, who clinched the world title in the 48kg category in 2017.
About the World Weightlifting Championships
The World Weightlifting Championships, organized by the IWF, have a long and storied history, dating back to their inception in 1891. The competition evolved over the decades, introducing women's events in 1987 and transitioning to a combined men’s and women’s format in 1991.