World Weightlifting Championship: 745 lifters to compete in Houston

World weightlifting governing body, International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) yesterday disclosed that a total of 745 lifters will be competing at the Houston 2015 World Championships billed to run from November 20 to 28.

According to the IWF, the championship which is a Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier would be attracting lifters from 105 countries.
“We have 745 entries (athletes) from 105 countries. As qualification event for the 2016 Olympic Games, the competition in Houston is the most important milestone on the road leading to Rio,” IWF stated.
The world weightlifting body further disclosed that five London 2012 Olympic champions and 10 world championship gold medalists will be competing in Houston.
It stressed that the competition venue, The George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston is set for the big event.
IWF expressed delight over the entries received from several countries who are making their debut at the world championships.
“The 2015 IWF World Championships will showcase countries never or rarely seen on the occasion of such competition: Afghanistan, Curacao, Estonia, Guam, Kiribati, Kosovo, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cook Islands, Aruba, Island, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Solomon Islands are coming to Houston.”
Meanwhile, the four Nigerian lifters that would be competing in Houston had stepped up their preparations in Abuja ahead of the competition.
Head coach, Andrew Ekanem told Daily Sunsports yesterday that all was well in camp as the lifters are in high spirits.
“Everything is fine in camp and the four lifters here are responding well to training,” Ekanem said.