How Does Olympic Weightlifting Competition Work?

Competition Structure

1. Categories:

   • Lifters compete in specific weight classes. Each class has a designated maximum weight limit.

2. Lifts:

   • Snatch: Competitors lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion.

   • Clean and Jerk: This consists of two parts:

     • Clean: Lifting the barbell from the ground to the shoulders.

     • Jerk: Lifting the barbell from the shoulders to overhead.

3. Attempts:

   • Each lifter has three attempts for each lift (snatch and clean and jerk). The best successful lift from each is combined for a total score.

   • Lifters can choose their starting weight for their first attempt. If they succeed, they can increase the weight for subsequent attempts.

4. Scoring:

   • The total score is the sum of the highest successful lift in the snatch and the highest successful lift in the clean and jerk.

   • Ties are broken by whichever lifter made the lift or total first in competition.

5. Judging:

   • Lifts are judged by a panel of referees who evaluate the technical execution based on specific criteria. A lift must be completed according to the rules to be considered valid.

Competition Flow

• Athletes typically have a warm-up period before the competition begins.

• The competition proceeds in based on an increasing bar. Athletes ( or their coaches) must declare what attempts they want to take after each completed lift.

• After all lifters have completed their attempts in the snatch, they move to the clean and jerk section.