Weightlifting, also known as weightlifting, is a sport that challenges the limits of strength, but it’s also much more than that. After all, the sport has developed and today is related to the athlete’s ability to perform precise techniques. And if you don’t know what they are, welcome to this article in which we’ve collected all about weightlifting!
It’s clear that muscular strength is essential to face the challenges set before you, because athletes lift impressive weights.
However, you also need to show discipline, technique and mental strength. And, of course, respect for the rules!
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What is weightlifting?
Weightlifting, also known as weightlifting, is a sport in which athletes are divided into categories and compete to lift the greatest amount of weight. In addition, two main movements are assessed: the snatch and the throw, which require strength, explosion and technique.
Both the snatch and the throw are standard movements in the sport, so it’s essential to master these two concepts when learning all about weightlifting.
In fact, some experts point out that the snatch is the second most complex technical movement in an Olympic sport, second only to the pole vault!
What is the snatch in weightlifting?
In an official competition, the snatch is the first weightlifting event. In it, athletes must lift the bar from the ground to above their heads. To do this, it is essential to comply with rules such as executing a single movement without pause, without supporting the body.
When performing the snatch, the weight bar is placed in front of the athlete. Then
- grab the bar with your palms down;
- pull it up in a single movement;
- lift the weight until both arms are fully extended above the head.
With the bar already raised, you must stabilize it for 2 seconds. After this time, the referees give a “down” signal.
This signal is made after the judges have observed that the lifter has been immobile while lifting the weight!
What is the clean and jerk in weightlifting?
The clean and jerk is a type of weightlifting performed in two parts. In the first, the athlete lifts the weight up to shoulder height. The bar must be aligned, then raised above the head and the body stabilized.
To perform the movement, the bar is first placed horizontally in front of the lifter, who must:
- grasp the bar with the palms of his hands down;
- lift to shoulder height, above the chest, usually with the “help” of a squatting movement;
- with the bar on their chest, the athlete must get back up and align their body, then move on to the next movement;
- using the strength of the arms and legs, the bar must be raised above the head, while the lifter performs a scissor movement with the legs.
To finish, the athlete must realign their legs, keep their arms extended and stabilize their body for two seconds.
See also: Bodybuilding championships: learn about the main events
Basic rules of weightlifting
Now that you know what the standard movements of the sport are to be executed in the main tournaments, it’s important to master the other rules, so that you have a complete overview of everything about weightlifting.
Starting with the fact that each athlete has three attempts to lift the maximum weight in each event (snatch and throw).
In other words, even if the movement is not executed perfectly at first, this does not mean elimination from the competition.
In addition, the correct technique is fundamental to the safety and validity of the lift, not to mention that the judges evaluate each lift and can invalidate it if the rules are not followed.
This means that it’s not enough to be able to lift the most weight, but you have to follow the movements properly. This requires training and, of course, technique.
What are the different types of weightlifting?
The main types of weightlifting are:
- Olympic Weightlifting: It involves two events: Snatch and Throw. The athlete with the highest total weight lifted in the two events is the winner.
- Weightlifting Paralympic: Adapted for athletes with physical disabilities, it has different categories depending on the type of disability.
- Powerlifting: A discipline focused on maximum strength, with three tests: squat, bench press and deadlift.
All about weightlifting
We’ve answered the most common questions about weightlifting below. Check them out!
What are the fundamentals of weightlifting?
The fundamentals of weightlifting are essential to ensure effective and safe execution of movements, and include:
- strength;
- posture and positioning;
- power;
- mobility;
- flexibility;
- range of motion.
How does weightlifting work at the Olympic Games?
Weightlifting at the Olympic Games is divided into two disciplines: men’s and women’s, with different weight categories in each. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, there will be ten categories: 5 for men (61 kg; 73 kg; 89 kg; 102 kg; +102 kg) and 5 for women (49 kg; 59 kg; 71 kg; 81 kg; +81 kg).
Each athlete competes in two events: throw and throw, which we talked about above.
The final score is the sum of the weights successfully lifted in the arch and throw.
The athlete with the highest score in each weight category wins the gold medal.
In Paris, weightlifting will have 120 athletes, divided equally between men and women, in search of medals.
Read also: Major Brazilians at the Olympics: meet the top 20 athletes
What are the main weightlifting tournaments and competitions?
The list of major weightlifting tournaments and competitions includes:
- World Cup (World Championships)
- National Championships
- Under-17 World Championship
- Pan American Games
- Pan American Under-20 Championship
- Olympic Games
- European Championships
- Open Tournaments
What is the history of weightlifting?
Weightlifting is one of the oldest sports in the world, with records dating back to 3,000 B.C. The first official competition took place in 1869. The sport officially became Olympic in 1896 (First Olympic Games of the Modern Era). However, women only competed for the first time at the 2000 Olympics.
Read also: Major Olympic record medalists: the best marks and times in different sports
The origins of the sport are linked to ancient practices of demonstrating strength, but over the centuries the sport has developed, with the creation of specific rules and techniques, such as the ones we present here.
Undoubtedly, knowing all about weightlifting makes the sport even more interesting to watch and practice.
After all, we’re talking about a sport that has evolved and now combines physical strength, precise technique and mental discipline.
So, now that you know all about weightlifting, are you going to take on this new challenge? Good luck!
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