2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships Set for Gandhinagar

The 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships will take place in Gandhinagar from May 11 to 17, featuring athletes from 30 countries, including Olympic medalists. Despite the absence of India's star weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu due to injury, the event promises to showcase top talent. With around 180 athletes expected, this championship will also serve as a qualifier for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The opening ceremony will be attended by dignitaries, including the Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister. Learn more about the participating nations and the significance of this prestigious event.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 10, 2026, 02:01 IST

Major Weightlifting Event to Take Place in India

The 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships will be hosted in Gandhinagar from May 11 to 17, featuring athletes from 30 nations, including numerous Olympic and world medalists, as announced by Sahdev Yadav, president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation.

Notably, India's prominent weightlifter and Olympic silver medalist, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, will not be participating due to an injury, according to Yadav.

The competition will see participation from 28 Asian countries, along with two guest nations, Australia and New Zealand.

During a press briefing, Yadav highlighted that the event will take place at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre and will serve as a qualifying round for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Organizers anticipate around 180 athletes and close to 200 officials, including coaches and support staff, to attend the championships.

Additionally, approximately 50 international technical officials and 50 VIP guests are expected to be present at the event.

Countries participating include India, China, North Korea, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Japan, Iran, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and various West Asian nations.

Participation from some countries has been impacted by ongoing conflicts in the West Asia region. Yadav noted that only two athletes from Iran will attend due to the war situation, and other Middle Eastern nations have also scaled back their teams.

In total, 179 athletes—102 men and 77 women—are projected to compete, including six Olympic medalists, 35 World Championships medalists, and 10 Asian Games medalists, alongside numerous Commonwealth and continental championship medalists.

India will send a robust team of eight male and eight female competitors, while China will also field a full-strength squad of eight men and eight women.

North Korea is set to participate with 11 lifters, and South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Sri Lanka will also have significant representations.

This marks the fourth occasion that India has been selected to host the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships, having previously held the event in Pune in 2015 and Greater Noida in 2023. Ahmedabad also hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in 2025.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for May 12 at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attending as the chief guest.

International dignitaries expected at the event include Mohammed Hasan Jalood, president of the International Weightlifting Federation, Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, president of the Asian Weightlifting Federation, and Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, general secretary of the Asian Weightlifting Federation.

Meetings of the Asian Weightlifting Federation Executive Board and its Annual Congress will also take place in Ahmedabad on May 12, as per the organizers.