The 2026 IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships officially got underway in Cali, Colombia, with a vibrant opening ceremony celebrating the country’s rich culture and marking the start of one of the biggest youth weightlifting events on the international calendar.
The ceremony featured energetic cultural performances that reflected Colombia’s heritage and warm hospitality, setting the stage for a week of intense competition. Athletes, coaches and officials from numerous nations gathered at the venue as the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) formally declared the championships open.
Scheduled from July 5 to July 11, the championships bring together the world’s best young lifters, all eager to make their mark on the global stage. The tournament serves as a key platform for emerging talent and has historically produced several future Olympic and world champions.
The opening ceremony emphasized friendship, unity and the spirit of sport, with organisers extending a warm welcome to the participating delegations. As the celebrations concluded, attention shifted to the competition platform, where the first medals of the championships are set to be contested.
With the event now officially underway, all eyes will be on the next generation of weightlifting stars as they battle for world titles in Cali over the coming days.
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