CONTEMPORARY ERA OF WEIGHTLIFTING 1973-Present
The contemporary era of weightlifting is marked by technical evolution, strong anti-doping reforms, record-breaking achievements, a period of crisis, and the sport’s renewed credibility within the global sports community.
THE VARIETY OF THE COMPETITIONS
Weightlifting has evolved with structured competitions across diverse bodyweight and age categories. European athletes compete internationally in IWF-sanctioned events and multi-sport games, including the Olympics, Commonwealth, Mediterranean, Islamic Solidarity Games, Maccabiah, Universiade, and soon the Francophonie and European Games. The EWF is looking to introduce new formats like the European Cup and mixed-gender competitions.
OLYMPIC LEGENDS FROM EUROPE
This era saw the rise of legendary lifters like Naim Süleymanoğlu, Pyrros Dimas, Kakhi Kakhiashvili, Halil Mutlu, and Lasha Talakhadze—each winning three Olympic golds. Pyrros Dimas stands out as the most decorated European weightlifter, earning a fourth Olympic medal (bronze) in 2004.
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Check out these incredible numbers
More than 100 European records broken from 1973
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European lifters won over 65% of Olympic gold medals in this period
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World records set by European lifters since 1973
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Year when women debuted at the European Championships, marking a new era in the sport
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