IWF Weightlifting Worlds 2025: Our Thoughts and Final Word

Quick Answer

The 2025 IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Førde, Norway, were a real celebration of strength, passion, community and the unstoppable evolution of our sport. From record-shattering performances and historic debuts to an audience that fell in love with weightlifting for the first time, this championship had everything.

What, Where, Why It Mattered

From October 2–11, 2025, the small Norwegian town of Førde (population around 13,000) became the global capital of weightlifting. Nearly 500 athletes (240 women + 237 men) representing 84 nations competed across 10 days of fierce battles, new beginnings and emotional farewells.

Førde’s modest size turned out to be one of its biggest strengths. Everything was close, walkable and well-organized. Hundreds of local volunteers transformed the town into a festival of weightlifting, greeting athletes and fans with the warmth and enthusiasm you’d expect at an Olympic Games.

“We may be the smallest hosts, but we have the biggest heart,” said Stian Grimseth, the visionary behind the project – and he was absolutely right.

Despite competing with major cities like Sofia and Las Vegas for the right to host the Worlds 2025, Førde proved that passion, community and determination can outshine size and scale.

Many were watching weightlifting live for the first time, and they were captivated.

They cheered for local heroes like Solfrid Koanda, who won gold on home soil in front of King Harald V and they celebrated Ragnar Holme, a local plumber who finished sixth in the super-heavyweights.

They even got emotional as Ine Andersson took her final bow in the sport.

Competition Venue: Small City, Big Stage

The 2025 Worlds took place in Førdehuset, a compact yet impressively organized venue. The organizing team did an outstanding job turning it into a world-class stage.

Spectators: Close and Loud

With seating for around 2000, fans were right on top of the action, creating an intense and electric atmosphere. Families, first-time spectators and passionate supporters filled the arena daily. Even the commentary booth felt special – a VIP-style space with a perfect view of every lift.

Back Room: The Engine Room

The warm-up area was spacious and professional, featuring 14 Eleiko platforms and plenty of screens showing the live competition flow. It was the nerve center where strategies formed and many world records began.

The Platform: Where It All Happens

The main stage was elegant, solid, and built for big moments. It was crafted and designed in the shape of an old Scandinavian boat, a creative detail that gave the competition floor even more character and historical depth. Førde proved that even a small venue can deliver a truly world-class championship.

Training Venue: Simplicity Meets World-Class Standards

Even though the training hall was set up in a local school gym, it was organized at a truly world-class level. The facility featured up to 50 brand-new Eleiko platforms, each equipped with new male and female bars, giving athletes top-tier conditions to prepare for the competition.

Everything an athlete or coach could possibly need was there: separate stretching and rehab rooms for recovery and mobility work, a large screen streaming the live competition so teams could follow the action in real time, and all the essential amenities – coffee, water, reliable internet and comfortable spaces to rest between sessions.

The organizers also implemented an excellent team scheduling system, which kept the hall uncrowded and efficient, allowing every delegation enough time and space for quality training. It was the perfect example of how even a simple setting, when thoughtfully designed, can meet and even exceed the expectations of a World Championship.

New Weight Categories: A Fresh Start

Worlds 2025 was also historic because it marked the beginning of a new era of weight categories. With the IWF restructuring classes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, almost every athlete stepped onto the platform with a clean slate. Most categories started with “world standards” – baseline records waiting to be broken – and that created a thrilling atmosphere where history was rewritten almost every day.

The result? 39 new world records were set in Førde. That’s not a typo – thirty-nine. It was record-breaking chaos in the best possible way.

Five Conclusions After the Event – From Torokhtiy Media Team

After 10 days, of fierce battles, setting Worlds and personal record, amazing victories and disappointing lifts – here’s what we at Torokhtiy Media took away from Worlds 2025:

1. The Power of Storytelling is Real

Every lift is a story – of sacrifice, discipline and dreams. As a commentator, I felt the responsibility (and joy) of bringing those stories to life. From comeback narratives to dramatic final attempts, it’s storytelling that turns into something unforgettable.

2. A New Generation is Rising

Førde wasn’t just about current champions – it was about the future.

Young athletes from nations not traditionally known for weightlifting claimed medals, broke records and proved that the sport’s base is growing deeper and more competitive. The global balance of power is shifting.

3. Records Are Both a Blessing and a Challenge

New weight classes meant new opportunities – and athletes seized them. But they also brought unpredictability: some records were obliterated easily, while others stood untouched. For fans that added drama and suspense to every session.

4. Local Passion Can Elevate the Entire Experience

The Norwegian crowd was one of the unsung heroes of these Worlds. Their enthusiasm created an atmosphere more intense than many larger venues. It reminded us that weightlifting isn’t just for traditional powerhouse nations – with the right spirit, any country can deliver a world-class show.

5. Independent Media Has a Critical Role to Play

Major broadcasts are important, but independent media, including us – can do what traditional coverage often can’t: explain, analyze, humanize.

We can dive deeper into technique, highlight behind-the-scenes moments, and bring fans closer to the soul of the sport.

Records: History Rewritten

We’ve mentioned it already, but it’s worth repeating: 39 world records were broken in Førde. That alone speaks volumes about the intensity and quality of competition.

Here are just a few headline-making performances:

Rizki Juniansyah (INA) – Olympic champion turned world champion, setting a new clean & jerk record and claiming his first senior world title.

Karlos Nasar (BUL) – Continued his dominance with another world title and world records.

Weeraphon Wichuma (THA), Yeison Lopez (COL), Akbar Djuraev (UZB), and Varazdat Lalayan (ARM) – All silver medalists in Paris 2024 who turned silver into gold in Førde.

Solfrid Koanda (NOR) – Golden performance on home soil, electrifying the arena.

Olivia Reeves (USA) – Delivered a record-breaking series that solidified her as one of the brightest stars of the new cycle.

Online Audience Interest: Weightlifting Goes Global

The reach of weightlifting continues to grow – and Førde 2025 proved it.

The broadcasts were streamed to audiences in 18 countries, reaching thousands of fans across North America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. Social media engagement soared during peak sessions, with highlight clips from stars like Cambei, Rogers and Nasar going viral far beyond the usual weightlifting bubble.

Perhaps most exciting was the number of first-time viewers – people discovering the sport not through the Olympics, but through independent coverage, live streams and short-form content. The lesson is clear: weightlifting’s future audience is online, global and hungry for more.

The Role of Independent Media & Torokhtiy Media’s Educational Mission

One of our biggest takeaways from Førde is how vital independent media is for the growth of weightlifting.

Mainstream broadcasts often show the lifts, but they rarely explain why they matter. That’s where platforms like Torokhtiy Media step in – breaking down technique, offering analysis and telling the human stories behind the medals.

Final Word

The 2025 IWF World Championships in Førde were special in every way – for the athletes who made history, for the fans who discovered a new passion and for us as a media team who had the privilege to bring it all to life.

It reminded us why we love this sport. It’s not just about kilos and podiums – it’s about people, perseverance and possibility.

We’re already counting down to what’s next: the 2026 European Championships in Batumi (Georgia) and the 2026 World Championships in Ningbo (China) – both promising to raise the bar even higher.

Until then, make sure to follow Torokhtiy Media on all platforms – because this journey is only getting started.

 FAQ

Why were there so many world records?

Because of the new weight classes introduced this year. Many categories had “world standards” instead of existing records, giving athletes the chance to set new benchmarks.

Why was Førde chosen as host?

Norway wanted to showcase how a smaller city with strong community support could deliver a world-class event – and they succeeded.

Do Commonwealth athletes’ results count?

They compete officially, but are not eligible for world titles, per IWF regulations.

Will these records stand until LA 2028?

Some will – but others are likely to fall as the next Olympic cycle progresses and athletes continue to push limits.