The 2025 IWF World Championships, set for October 2–11 in Førde, Norway, will be more than a test of strength it will be the first major battleground of a new Olympic cycle and a decisive data-gathering mission for Indian weightlifting.
With revised weight categories and a compressed competitive field, India enters this championship with a carefully calibrated plan focused less on immediate medals and more on long-term positioning for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics . This year’s Worlds mark the formal start of qualification for LA 2028 and the debut of the IWF’s new bodyweight structure. From June 2025, the federation has reduced classes to eight per gender, creating a “compression effect” where athletes from adjacent categories are now forced into the same division.
•Women’s classes: 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 86 kg, +86 kg
•Men’s classes: 60 kg, 65 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 94 kg, 110 kg, +110 kg .
This reorganization elevates the competitive bar: Indian lifters must either cut weight or move up while increasing their total lifts to match rivals naturally heavier or stronger. For a nation that traditionally optimized performance in narrow categories such as Mirabai Chanu’s former 49 kg division this is a significant strategic and physiological challenge.
India’s Strategy: Data over Medals
India is sending a 12-member senior team to Førde, prioritizing experienced lifters over youth prodigies despite the presence of junior stars like Koyel Bar and Bedabrat Bharali. With IWF quotas limiting entries to eight men and eight women, the federation has opted to maximize immediate world-ranking data and competitive exposure for seniors, deferring junior debuts to protect their long-term development . This decision comes after a strong showing at the 2025 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships (CWC), where India won 13 senior medals and 40 across all age groups.
Yet, analysis reveals a steep gap between Commonwealth totals and IWF podium standards. Førde will therefore serve as a stress test to gauge where Indian lifters stand in the reorganized classes.
Women’s Squad: Chanu Leads the Charge
India’s women’s team features six lifters across the new weight classes, with Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu as the lone realistic medal contender .
Mirabai Chanu (48 kg): Chanu returns to the World stage after finishing fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics. At the CWC 2025, she lifted 193 kg (84 kg Snatch + 109 kg Clean & Jerk) to claim gold and set Commonwealth records. Her career peak of 205 kg in the former 49 kg class remains the benchmark. With global podium standards projected around 200–205 kg, Chanu must push her total back above 200 kg to challenge for a medal while managing a demanding weight cut from 49 kg to the new 48 kg division.
Bindyarani Devi (58 kg): A Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Bindyarani lifted 206 kg at the CWC, but world podium requirements are estimated at 220–225 kg. Her powerful Clean & Jerk is an asset, but she needs a stronger Snatch (targeting 95 kg or more) to close the gap .
Middle and Heavyweights: Nirupama Devi (63 kg) and Harjinder Kaur (69 kg) will focus on establishing baselines in categories long dominated by Asian powerhouses. Vanshita Verma (86 kg), with a CWC total of 222 kg, aims to breach 235 kg for a potential top-15 finish. Mehak Sharma (+86 kg) will seek a 6/6 clean sheet and valuable experience against world-class super-heavyweights, where elite totals routinely exceed 270 kg.
Men’s Squad: Building Depth and Benchmarking
India’s six-man team spans the light to super-heavy divisions, with emphasis on exposure and incremental gains rather than podium finishes .
Lightweights (60 & 65 kg): Rishikanta Singh transitions from 61 kg to 60 kg, targeting a total above 280 kg to remain competitive. Muthupandi Raja, a national record holder, lifted 296 kg at the CWC in the new 65 kg class. With global standards above 320 kg, Raja will aim to surpass 310 kg to break into the international B-group.
Middleweights (71 & 79 kg): Narayana Ajith enters the new 71 kg division after a CWC gold. Valluri Ajaya Babu, perhaps India’s strongest male prospect, posted a 335 kg total in the 79 kg class at the CWC. A lift of 345 kg or more could secure a coveted top-10 world ranking.
Heavyweights (94 & +110 kg): Dilbag Singh (94 kg) lifted 342 kg at the CWC but faces world standards near 400 kg. Lovepreet Singh (+110 kg) managed 380 kg, far from the 450 kg range of elite super-heavyweights, making technical refinement and experience his primary goals.
Youth Stars Held in Reserve
While the senior team shoulders the responsibility in Norway, India’s junior pipeline remains one of the strongest in global weightlifting. Koyel Bar (17, Women’s 53 kg) set youth world records with a 192 kg total, outperforming the senior silver medallist in her class at the CWC. Bedabrat Bharali (Men’s 73 kg) converted his 2024 youth bronze into a world youth title. Sairaj Pardeshi (Men’s 81 kg) and Parv Chaudhary (Men’s 96 kg) also claimed youth medals . Despite their readiness, the federation has opted to delay their senior debuts, focusing on gradual progression and peak performance closer to the LA 2028 cycle.
The Indian federation has set specific performance markers to measure success in Norway: Mirabai Chanu, Top-5 finish with a total above 200 kg. Bindyarani Dev, break the 215 kg barrier for a top-12 finish. Muthupandi Raja, cross 310 kg to enter the competitive B-group. Valluri Ajaya Babu, push to 345 kg for a top-10 world ranking .
The Førde Worlds represent a strategic reset for Indian weightlifting. Medals will be welcome, but the real victory lies in collecting ranking data, mastering the new weight categories, and preparing the next generation for Olympic qualification. With a veteran core led by Chanu and a youth pipeline featuring record-breaking teenagers, India’s blueprint is clear: build now, peak in 2028.
The stage in Norway will provide the first glimpse of whether this carefully constructed plan can withstand the pressures of a compressed global field and set the foundation for India’s next weightlifting era.
