Q1. What is weight lifting a sport?
An individual event in which a person attempts to lift weights mounted on a steel bar. It is a combination of power & technique. Men and women take part in this sport. Included in Olympics from 1896 and had some breaks before 1920. By 1920, it became a regular sport in olympics and has undergone some changes in its competitive pattern and from 1932 the competititon was streamlined. The weight lifting competition for Women was introduced from 2000 sydney olympics.
Q2. What are the two major disciplines in which major competitions are held?
SNATCH : The event is to lift a bar bell from the platform to locked arms overhead in a smooth continuous movement. The bar bell is pulled as high as the lifter can manage, typically to mid chest height, at which point the bar bell is flipped overhead.
CLEAN & JERK : Where the participant first lift the bar bell from the floor, to an intermediate position in a "clear lift", then squatting (with one bent knee in front and one leg slanting behind) with the bar bell resting in front of the neck on the clavicle and deltoid muscles, then stand straight while continuing to rest the bar bell, then stand straight with legs together, and "jerking" the barbell to a position above the head.
Q3. What is "Power Lifting"?
This event consists of three parts:
Squat: Is performed by bending the legs at the knees and hips, lowering the torso between the legs and then reversing direction to stand straight again.
Bench Press: The lifter lies on his/her back on a bench while pushing up and lowering down a weight loaded bar directly above the chest.
Dead Lift: Where one lifts a loaded barbell off the ground from a stabilized bent over position.
Q4. How the competitors are classified under different weight categories?
Men: 56, 62, 69, 77, 85, 94, 105, 105+ kgs. Women: 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 75, 75+ kgs.
Q5. How the competitions are conducted?
Every competitor entering into the respective weight category in the competitions, chooses the weight to be lifted. The weights are increased by one kg on every attempt. Each competitor is allowed a maximum of three lifts. Competitor who lifts the maximum weight in a single position or in a combination of positions, is declared the winner.
Q6. What are the major competitions in weight lifting?
Olympics, Asiad, Commonwealth, World Championships and regional meets.
Q7. What is the Indian and International governing body for weight lifting?
1) Indian Weight Lifting Association - under Indian Olympic Association. 2) International Weight Lifting Federation - founded in 1905, HQ at Budapest, Hungary.
Q8. What is the major Indian performance in weight lifting in Olympics/World Championship?
Karnam Malleswari - Bronze - 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Q9. Weight lifting is the national sport of which country?
Bulgaria.
Q10. Which are the countries excelling in weight lifting?
Bulgaria, Romania, USSR, China, India.
Q11. Which are the only two weight lifting events allowed in Olympics?
1. Snatch, 2. Clean and Jerk.
