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Queensland Weightlifting Fact Sheet
THE WORLD OF WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting is an exciting and healthy sport which has been part of the Olympic movement since the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896. Weightlifting is also a part of the Commonwealth Games and there are World Championships held every year for Men and Women at Junior, Senior and Masters age levels.
WEIGHTLIFTING IN QUEENSLAND
Weightlifting in Queensland is organised by the Queensland Weightlifting Association Inc., and conducted through a system of clubs. Most of these clubs are located in the South East area of the state, but there are also active weightlifters in Rockhampton, North Queensland (Mackay & Ayr) and Western Queensland (Mount Isa).
Regular competitions are held for both men and women in age groups including Under 16, Under 18, Under 20, Open, and Masters. Most of these competitions take place in Brisbane, Toowoomba, and the Sunshine Coast. Every year, the Queensland Weightlifting Association selects teams of weightlifters to represent Queensland in National Championships, and Queensland has produced many National Champions in Youth, Junior, Senior, and Masters age groups, some of whom have gone on to represent Australia at World Championships and Olympic Games.
WHAT IS WEIGHTLIFTING ?
Weightlifting competitions consist of two different types of lifts - the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk. Learning and practising the techniques used to perform these lifts is the essence of Weightlifting training.
Although commonly seen as a test of strength, Weightlifting is a sport which develops many other positive physical and psychological attributes in its participants. Qualities such as Flexibility, Speed of Movement, Co-ordination and Concentration are vital ingredients for success on the Weightlifting competition platform, and these qualities can be developed and enhanced by following a well planned Weightlifting training program under the guidance of a qualified coach.
Many people watch the Weightlifters competing at the Olympic Games and marvel at their amazing feats of strength and power. But even these Champions were not born with a barbell in their hands. They too were once beginners who chose to take up the challenge and follow the path that has eventually taken them to the heights of international competition and brought them success at the elite level.
THE WEIGHTLIFTING PATH
There are many success stories in Queensland Weightlifting. Queensland’s latest Olympians, Amanda Phillips and Anthony Martin (Sydney 2000) for instance, began weightlifting after trying it at school and deciding to make it their number one sport. They joined a weightlifting club and began training regularly with coaches who concentrated on developing their weightlifting technique while allowing them to test themselves by gradually increasing the weights. In both cases, these athletes progressed through the junior ranks, winning National Championships, representing Australia on many occasions, and breaking a host of records along way. Many of Queensland’s young weightlifters are following in their footsteps along this tried and true pathway. Like all journeys, this one begins with a single step, and the first step is to contact a weightlifting club and give the sport a try.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS? NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS? THE OLYMPIC GAMES? You'll never know unless you take that first step and call your local WEIGHTLIFTING CLUB. Click here for QWA Contacts
WEIGHTLIFTING