Phuket hosts Olympic weightlifting qualifiers
The final qualifying stage for weightlifters from all over the world hoping to secure a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics this summer got underway in Phuket last Sunday (Mar 31).
The grand opening of the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships, otherwise known as the “2024 I.W.F. World Cup,” took place at the Khun Lert Phokarak Convention Center at Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) and runs until Apr 11, organisers confirmed.
The qualifying competition sees over 1,600 athletes and officials taking part, with weightlifters from more than 120 countries competing across a variety of weight classifications, all desperately hoping to book their place at the centrepiece event taking place in the French capital in July and August.
Thailand has 18 athletes competing in the competition, with nine male and nine female athletes hoping to perform sufficiently well to secure their qualification.
Overseeing the competition’s official opening ceremony last Sunday was Mongkol Wimonrat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who was joined by Mohammed Hasan Jarood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Also present were: Khunying Pattama Leesawattrakul, Thai member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); Maj Gen Intharat Yodbangtoey, Honorary President of the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand; Busaba ‘Madame Bus’ Yodbangtoey, Advisory Chairman of the Thai Weightlifting Sports Association (TWSA); General Wisut Dejsakul, TWSA Secretary-General; Pratchaya Keeratinan, TWSA President; Namphon Phothiwong, Director of Sustainability Strategy from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT); other senior members from TWSA, in addition to representatives from official sponsor companies of the competition.
Representing Phuket were Governor Sophon Suwannarat; Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO);
Thammawat Wongcharoenyot, President of the Sports Association of Phuket; and Damrong Chaisena, director of the Phuket office of the Sports Authority of Thailand.
Following welcome speeches by Mr Mongkol and Mr Jarood, there were several live musical performances by Thai artists depicting Thai culture and traditions to the visiting international guests. Among the artists performing were Arayadham Waythin, Rueang Rueang Muang Siam, and Promruay Krasae Sindhu.
People interested in attending the event can do so free of charge, with daily competition running between 11am and 9pm until Apr 11 at the PRU Auditorium. Organisers specifically urged local Phuket residents to come along and cheer on the Thai athletes involved in the competition in the hope of inspiring them to perform well.
For those unable to attend in person there will be a live broadcast of the event on Channel 5 HD, NBC and T Sports 7 throughout the competition.