If you’re new to the sport of Olympic weightlifting when you start training the focus will be on technique. You’ll begin by using a light bar to learn the movements for the two Olympic lifts; the snatch, and the clean and jerk. The weights you lift will increase as your skills improve.
Regardless of your experience level you can be guaranteed to develop greater flexibility, coordination and balance as a result of your training. Two additional positive impacts that come along with doing resistance training include increased muscle mass and increased bone density. It is particularly important that we maintain these two physical attributes throughout our lifetime as they are vital to sustaining mobility as we get older. More recently it has been shown that resistance training is also important for our brain function.
Increasing muscle strength can improve brain function: study
Strength training can protect the brain from degeneration in those at risk of Alzheimer's disease
In Olympic weightlifting you are eligible to compete as a Masters weightlifter from the 1st January of the year in which you turn 35. The age groups are in 5 year increments 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+ (Women) and 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ (Men) and the body weight categories are as follows:
Women: F45, F49, F55, F59, F64, F71, F76, F81, F87, F87+
Men: M55, M61, M67, M73, M81, M89, M96, M102, M109, M109+
You don't have to lift big weights in competitions. The minimum weight required for women is 21kg and the minimum weight required for men is 26kg. There are plenty of competitions held throughout the year hosted by local Clubs. The opportunity also exists to compete in championships at State, National and International level.
2024 Masters Events
- NSW Masters Championships, Quaycentre Sydney Olympic Park tbc 2024. To qualify lifters must have achieved a total during the qualifying period 1 October 2023 – tbc 2024
- Australian Masters Championships 20-23 June 2024 (dual platform event) Goldcoast. To qualify lifters must have participated in an AWF sanctioned event during the qualifying period TBC. NSW lifters are also required to compete at the NSW Masters Championships. This is also the World Cup Event.
- Pan American Masters Games 12-21 July 2024 Cleveland USA
- IMWA Masters World Championships 5-14 September 2024 Rovaniemi, Finland
- UMWF Masters World Championships 23-28 September 2024 Suva, Fiji
2023 Masters Events
- Masters World Cup, Oceania and Commonwealth Masters Championships Auckland New Zealand 3-12 March 2023 Entries close 30 November 2022
- NSW Masters Championships, Quaycentre Sydney Olympic Park Friday 28 April - Sunday 30 April 2023. To qualify lifters must have achieved a total during the qualifying period 9 September 2022 – 16 April 2023
- Asia Pacific Masters Games (APMG) 12-20 May 2023 Jeonbuk Korea
- Australian Masters Championships 15-18 June 2023 (dual platform event) Sydney. To qualify lifters must have participated in an AWF sanctioned event during the qualifying period 28 October 2022 – 30 April 2023. NSW lifters are also required to compete at the NSW Masters Championships.
- European Masters Games (EMG) 26 June - 9 July 2023 Tampere Finland
- World Masters Weightlifting Championships 18-26 August 2023 Krakow Poland Qualifying totals Draft competition schedule. Entries open 1 April 2023 and close 19 June 2023. Eligible masters - please see the email sent from the AWF regarding registering for this event via the online payment gateway.
Future Masters Events
World Masters Games 17-30 May 2025 Taipei City and New Taipei City
https://www.masterswlreg.com/
Commonwealth Masters Records
- Commonwealth Masters Women's Records (at 30.06.2023)
- Commonwealth Masters Men's Records (at 30.06.2023)
IWF Masters Records
Whatever your sporting background, level of fitness or health requirements Olympic weightlifting is a sport that is achievable, enjoyable and rewarding.
To get involved complete the Feedback Form on the Contact tab or head to the NSWWA Facebook page.
Other Scientific Studies (Masters)
Grip Strength and Sports Performance in Competitive Master Weightlifters
NSW Masters Lifters
Matt Meddows – NSW Masters Representative
2022 IWF Masters World Championships, Orlando Florida USA
