Explained: 2028 Olympics Weightlifting Qualification System

On Monday, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) published the 2028 Olympics weightlifting qualification pathway. It outlines the criteria required of aspiring Olympians wishing to take the stage in Los Angeles.

At a glance: The qualification system for LA28 retains the broad structure used for Paris '24, but with less emphasis on single-event performances.

• The eight highest-totaling weightlifters in each Olympic category qualify for the '28 Games.
• The Olympic Qualification Rankings (OQRs) are organized based on the athlete's top five totals during the qualification period.
• Participating countries may qualify up to three men and three women by default.
• The best-performing male and female athlete overall will each receive a special bid that does not count toward their country's athlete quota.

You can find the full 2028 Olympics weightlifting qualification procedure here.

If you just want the essential bits, keep reading. 

The pathway to the Olympic stage is anything but simple. The 2028 Olympics qualification system contains several noteworthy details relating to athlete compliance and eligibility, as well as adjustments to the participation quota.

The official qualification season for the 2028 Olympics begins on Jul. 27, 2026 and ends on May 7, 2028. 

That two-year window has been divided into Period 1 and Period 2.

• Period 1 begins with the 2026 World Championships (Oct. 27, 2026) and ends with the 2027 World Championships (Sep. 1, 2027*).
• Period 2 begins with an unspecified qualifying event on Nov. 1, 2027*, and ends with the 2028 World Championships (Apr. 1, 2028*).

*As of this article's original publication, the IWF has yet to confirm the exact dates and locations of these events on its calendar.

The 2028 Olympics will host six weight class events per gender. Athletes must hit their qualification totals in the Olympic categories—with caveats (see below).

• Athletes must register three valid totals during Period 1.
• Athletes must register two valid totals during Period 2.
• Final ranking is determined by a point system corresponding to the athletes' totals.
  • Each kilogram in the total awards one point.
  • At the end of the qualification period, points are tallied to determine final ranking.

Beyond the weightlifting-specific criteria, prospective competitors must also adhere to general Olympic guidance, including:

• All athletes must comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter, World Anti-Doping Code, and the Olympic Movement Code.
• Athletes must have been born before 2014.

• Qualification begins: 27 July 2026
• Qualification ends: 7 May 2028
• Final OQR published: 11 May 2028
• Best lifters published: 11 May 2028
• Final OQR confirmed: 29 May 2028
• Entrants confirmed: 26 June 2028
• Games begin: 14 July 2028
• Weightlifting begins: 25 July 2028
• Weightlifting ends: 29 July 2028

The IWF and IOC have have outlined several other essential deadlines for Host Country, Continental, and Universality slots between May and June 2028. Most of these deadlines involve confirmation of attendees and reallocating leftover slots to ensure as many weightlifters as possible are represented at the Games.

• The Men's Olympic categories are 65, 75, 85, 95, 110, and +110.
• The Women's Olympic categories are 53, 61, 69, 77, 86, and +86.
• 120 weightlifters in total are able to compete; 54 men and 54 women, plus six additional Host Country slots and six Universality slots.
  • The country hosting the Olympic Games has historically been granted more athlete slots as a gesture by the IOC.
  • Universality places refer to bonus athlete slots awarded to countries with limited delegations.
    • In Paris 2024, weightlifting received six Universality allotments.
• Athletes may qualify in an Olympic category by registering totals in lighter classes.
  • A 60KG (non-Olympic) male may qualify for the 65KG (Olympic) category, but a 57KG (non-Olympic) female cannot use her total to qualify as a 53KG (Olympic).
• Qualifying events during Periods 1 and 2 include Senior Worlds, Senior Continentals, and as-of-yet-unspecified events like the World Cup or Grand Prix.
• Any federation that accumulates 3 doping violations between Paris 2024 and Jul. 26, 2028, may have some or all of its quota places rescinded.
  • If the three violations result in 4+ year bans, all slots are automatically withdrawn.

Outside of requiring multiple valid totals, the biggest change to the 2028 Olympics qualification pathway is the addition of two bonus slots for the "Best Man" and "Best Woman" lifters.

How it works: The IWF will utilize a "Formula" to determine which two athletes will receive special bids. The organization did not outline the mechanics of the Formula.

It is unclear whether a country whose athlete receives a Best Lifter bid will necessarily be granted a fourth quota slot if it does not already have three athletes ranked in the OQR.