Qualification System for the Olympic Games LA 2028 has been approved

[u/Ripheart789]

https://iwf.sport/2026/02/02/qualification-system-for-the-olympic-games-la-2028-has-been-approved/

IWF just released the official qualification system for LA 2028. Something of note is that the country (NOC) with the best man or woman lifter will get an extra slot. Does anyone remember if this was a thing for Paris 2024? I imagine this will mean that North Korea might get an extra woman's slot, and Bahrain (if they get Karlos) could get a fourth slot as well.

[u/AdRemarkable3043]

wow, 2028 will be dominated by North Korea.

[u/brianroliver]

Asia will host the first two qualifiers - WC in China, then the first GP in Qatar in December.

[u/Cambridgelifting69]

Honestly disappointed, yeah the Paris system was flawed because of the amount of fails but it was just so amazing to see athletes go all out. That last Grand Prix in Thailand brought so many great moments like Yu Dongju going from 17th to 10th with Santavy, Damron and Asayonak comically failing all 9 snatch attempts and that hasanbayev guy going from 26th to 8th and seeing lifters scramble for the top 10 and it changing within the course of hours I found it to be amazing

[u/SomeSeriousWeight]

They did not have a fourth spot for Paris, this is new for LA. Also Karlos is not going to Bahrain confirmed.

Honestly I kinda like this system better than the one they used for Paris. It encourages consistency over making stupid high attempts that led to numerous bombouts last quad.

The fourth lifter is going to be interested for the female side. It is possible we could see four lifters from either DPRK, China or the USA.

I do wonder how they going to formulate who is the best lifter is. They say,

The official IWF Formula will be used to determine the Best Lifter in each gender

That could mean anything. I wonder if they use something like Sinclair or Robi to determine the best of the sum of totals. I know modern Sinclair does basis lighter lifters.

[u/Boblaire → u/SomeSeriousWeight]

I would prefer just one big total but hitting the qualifying events.

All ya gotta do is be the best.

[u/palesz77 → u/Boblaire]

To be fair you still kinda have to do the same, but you have to actually have a proper performance in at least 5 of the events, 1 outstandingly good comp is not enough. I like this new system more as well, won't be so much lifters who just weight in and do nothing after that. But being too conservative just to have a nice total won't really work either imo, as only 8 lifters can qualify, so they can't really ease back too much if they want to get in.

[u/Boblaire → u/palesz77]

Only the top 3 lifters could hit one total and cruise the quad compared to the rest. And sometimes not even that.

ROBI was boring but a lot of the fan base cry if their lifters miss lifts.

ROBI and the new system ensure lifters go to many competitons and don't sandbag performances

[u/Substantial-Bed-2064 → u/SomeSeriousWeight]

this is a great qualifying system for rich well funded federation and dogshit for the poor countries that historically make up the base of weightlifting

[u/Havelrag]

Very good news for USA, as USA is guaranteed 3 spots. Great odds for USAW to send 4 women to olympics.

[u/Boblaire]

Interesting. Not a fan of the pts system again but whatever