Gandhinagar Set for Historic Asian Weightlifting Championships as India Hosts After 44 Years
India is set to host one of the most significant continental events in weightlifting as the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships heads to Gandhinagar from May 12 to May 17.
The tournament marks a historic moment for Indian sport, with the country hosting the Asian Championships for the first time in 44 years. Originally scheduled for April 1 to 10, the event was rescheduled due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region, but the scale and importance of the competition remain undiminished. The Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar is ready to welcome around 260 athletes from nearly 30 countries, making this one of the largest editions of the championships in recent years. With participation numbers high and the entry list packed with elite names, the competition is expected to deliver a week of high-quality lifting across all weight categories.
Beyond medals, the championships carry added importance as part of the qualification pathway for major upcoming events, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. For athletes and federations, this competition is not just about podium finishes, but also about building ranking points, refining competitive form, and establishing momentum in the Olympic cycle leading up to Los Angeles 2028. The confirmed entry list reads like a roll call of global weightlifting’s biggest names. Among the standout athletes is China’s Liu Huanhua, the Paris 2024 Olympic Champion and 2023 World Champion, who arrives as one of the favourites in his category. Joining him is Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim El-Bakh, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist, whose consistency at the highest level makes him a serious contender once again.
The women’s field is equally competitive. South Korea’s Park Hye-jeong, the 2025 World Champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist, headlines a strong lineup that includes North Korea’s Kang Hyon Gyong and Ri Suk, both reigning World Champions. The presence of these athletes ensures that the competition in lighter and middleweight divisions will be particularly intense. In the heavier categories, Bahrain’s Gor Minasyan, a Paris Olympic medallist, adds depth to an already stacked field. China’s Liao Guifang and Chinese Taipei’s Chen Guan-ling, both decorated World Champions, further elevate the competitive standard, making every session a high-stakes contest.
Historically, China has dominated the Asian Weightlifting Championships, and they enter the 2026 edition as the team to beat. At the 2025 championships in Jiangshan, China topped the medal tally with an extraordinary 31 gold medals. Traditional powerhouses such as North Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iran are also expected to challenge strongly across multiple categories, ensuring a tightly contested medal race.
For India, the championships represent both an opportunity and a test. As the host nation, India will field the largest contingent with 16 lifters, signalling intent to make a strong impression on home soil. This comes after a disappointing showing at the previous edition, where only Nirupama Devi and Dilbag Singh represented India, and neither managed to secure a podium finish.
This time, the squad is deeper and more experienced. Commonwealth Games medallists Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur will lead India’s medal charge, bringing with them proven international pedigree. Other lifters such as Nirupama Devi, Lovepreet Singh, and Harcharan Singh will look to capitalise on familiarity with conditions and crowd support to deliver improved performances.
The competition will be contested across eight weight categories each for men and women. In the men’s division, athletes will compete in 60kg, 65kg, 71kg, 79kg, 88kg, 98kg, 110kg, and +110kg categories. The women’s events will feature 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, and +86kg divisions. Each category will include both snatch and clean & jerk lifts, with total weight determining the final standings.
Beyond the platform, the event will also serve as a key administrative milestone. The Asian Weightlifting Federation will conduct its Executive Board Meeting and Congress during the championships. These meetings will focus on governance, future hosting rights including bids for the December 2026 Electoral Congress and strategic planning for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, particularly around technical regulations and anti-doping measures.
From an organisational standpoint, the Indian Weightlifting Federation has ensured that all facilities meet international standards. The Mahatma Mandir venue is fully equipped with world-class infrastructure, and the timely completion of registration and verification processes by participating nations has ensured a smooth lead-in to the event.
With strong international participation, elite competition, and home expectations, the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships promise to be a defining moment for Indian weightlifting. The performances here could shape not only medal tallies but also the trajectory of athletes heading into the next major multi-sport events.
India Squad for 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships
Women:
Komal Kohar – 48kg
Gyaneshwari Yadav – 53kg
Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam – 58kg
Nirupama Devi Seram – 63kg
Harjinder Kaur – 69kg
Sanjana – 77kg
Vanshita Verma – 86kg
Martina Devi Maibam – +86kg
Men:
Rishikanta Singh Chanambam – 60kg
Raja Muthupandi – 65kg
Ajith Narayana – 71kg
Bedabrat Bharali – 79kg
Abhishek Suresh Nippane – 88kg
Parv Choudhary – 94kg
Harcharan Singh – 110kg
Lovepreet Singh – +110kg
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