2025 National Weightlifting Championships "Get a Head Start", Implement New Weight Categories

SLEMAN, KOMPAS — Although it will only be implemented globally in June 2025, Indonesia is set to adopt the new weight category at the 2025 National Weightlifting Championship. This move serves as a momentum for lifters to try out the new class so that adjustments in training can be made more swiftly. Consequently, they will be better prepared when given the opportunity to compete on the international stage.

The 2025 National Weightlifting Championship for seniors will be held at the GOR Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Sleman, from May 15 to 17. This will be the first event in Indonesia to utilize the new weight categories.

"We see when we want to introduce and adjust to this new weight category. We must implement it first so that the athletes are prepared and the coaching in the regions can adjust. After all, in a month we will already be using the new (class)," said the Chairman of the 2025 National Weightlifting Championship Committee, Hadi Wihardja, after the opening event on Thursday (15/5/2025).

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has approved the proposed changes to the weight categories in December 2024. The IWF has decided that this new class will be implemented in competitions starting June 2025.

In the senior and junior male levels, the new weight categories consist of eight classes, including 60 kilograms, 65 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, 110 kg, and +110 kg. This number is fewer than the previous categories, which comprised 10 classes. The old classes included 55 kg, 61 kg, 67 kg, 73 kg, 81 kg, 89 kg, 96 kg, 102 kg, 109, and +109 kg.

Meanwhile, in the women's sector, the new categories start from 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, and +86 kg. Previously, the 10 classes for female lifters consisted of 46 kg, 49 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 64kg, 71 kg, 76 kg, 81 kg, 87 kg, and +87 kg.

Coaching must be adjusted strategically so as not to lose momentum which will have an impact on achieving achievements.

In the category of male teenagers, the weight classes include 56kg, 60kg, 65kg, 71kg, 79kg, 88kg, 98kg, and +98kg. Meanwhile, the female teenagers consist of 44kg, 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, and +77kg.

"At the recent Asian Championship, for instance, many countries did not send their athletes, including North Korea, which usually dominates the podium. When I asked the reason, it turned out they were preparing for a class change, so they chose not to participate," said Hadi, who is also the Head of the Achievement Development Division of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PB PABSI).

"In addition to the preparations for athletes in the national training center, this also serves as preparation for athletes in the regions. If it turns out that there are lifters whose performances are close to or even surpass those in the national training center, this will be a note for us. Clearly, they are more prepared to compete in the new class," he continued.

The 2025 National Weightlifting Championship was attended by 84 athletes from 24 regions. Athletes residing in the national training center did not participate to provide an opportunity for regional lifters to showcase their skills and prove their capabilities. This also included giving a chance to several names who had previously been part of the national training center, such as Central Java athlete Siti Nafisatul (53 kg) and Papua male lifter Ricko Saputra (60 kg).

The Secretary General of PB PABSI, Djoko Pramono, representing the Chairman of PB PABSI, Rosan P Roeslani, stated that the implementation of a new category in the National Championship is part of the socialization efforts. Furthermore, PB PABSI will continue the socialization on a massive scale. Djoko hopes that coaches and officials can pay attention to the impacts of these class changes.

"Of course, coaching must be adjusted strategically so as not to lose momentum that has an impact on achieving achievements," said Djoko.

Djoko also added that the PB PABSI consistently holds the National Championship, supported by Pupuk Indonesia, twice a year to prepare future lifters. Thus, Djoko stated, the stock of Indonesian lifters will continue to be abundant to maintain achievements on the international stage.

The gold medalist of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Rizki Juniansyah, hopes for the emergence of potential athletes from the National Championship who will follow in his footsteps and achieve success at the world level. The National Championship, whether at the youth, junior, or senior level, is usually the initial step taken for lifters to showcase their abilities and be noticed by the national training center.

Rizki began his journey with the National Youth Championship in 2015. The lifter from Serang, Banten, had not yet won a medal. He was only targeting progress in his lifts. It was only two years later, at the junior level, that Rizki was able to secure a bronze medal.

In 2019, Rizki made his debut at the Asian Youth Championship in Pyongyang, North Korea, and won three silver medals in the 67 kg category. A year later, he competed in the 2020 Asian Youth Championship in Uzbekistan, where he secured three gold medals and broke two world records.

"National championships like this are actually for honing oneself, especially mentally, because the national level and the atmosphere are certainly different when playing in a city or province. This is a stepping stone for later moving to the international level," said Rizki.