Gandhinagar To Host Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 As 30 Nations Compete; India Misses Mirabai Chanu

Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026: Athletes from around the world are set to converge in Gandhinagar for the 2026 Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships, scheduled to take place from May 11 to 17. According to Sahdev Yadav, the prestigious continental event will feature competitors from 30 countries, including several Olympic and world medalists.

However, India will miss the presence of its biggest star, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who has been ruled out due to injury. Despite her absence, the host nation is set to field a strong contingent of 16 athletes, comprising eight men and eight women.

The championships will be held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre and will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth

Games in Glasgow. Organisers expect participation from nearly 180 athletes, along with around 200 officials, including coaches, managers, and delegates. Additionally, about 50 international technical officials and an equal number of VIP guests are likely to attend.

Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026: How Many Athletes Will Be Performing?

A total of 179 lifters - 102 men and 77 women - are expected to compete, featuring an impressive lineup that includes six Olympic medalists, 35 World Championships medalists, and 10 Asian Games medalists. Countries such as India, China, North Korea, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Iran, and Vietnam are among those set to participate, along with guest nations Australia and New Zealand.

Participation from some West Asian nations has been affected due to ongoing regional tensions. Yadav noted that only a limited number of athletes from Iran will compete, while a few other countries have also reduced their squad sizes.

Powerhouse nation China will send a full-strength team of 16 athletes, while North Korea will be represented by 11 lifters. Other countries, including South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Sri Lanka, are also expected to field sizeable squads.

This will be the fourth time India is hosting the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships, having previously staged the event in Pune in 2015 and Greater Noida in 2023. Ahmedabad also hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in 2025.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for May 12, with Harsh Sanghavi attending as the chief guest. Several top officials are expected to be present, including Mohammed Hasan Jalood, Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, and Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi.

In addition to the competition, key meetings of the Asian Weightlifting Federation, including its Executive Board session and Annual Congress, will be held in Ahmedabad on May 12.