The 2013 IWF Youth Weightlifting Championships kicked off at the Uzbekiston sports complex in Tashkent.

This major championship, organized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the Ministry of culture and sports of Uzbekistan, the National Olympic Committee and the Weightlifting federation, is the first and main event, to qualify for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China. 22 Olympic tickets for women and 25 for men will be played out at the competition.

Apart from Uzbekistan, Russia, Poland and Thailand had expressed to a desire to host this championship. The International Weightlifting Federation decided to hold it in Tashkent, as under the guidance of President Islam Karimov weightlifting development gets much attention, Uzbekistan has extensive experience in organizing major sports competitions at the highest levels.

The opening ceremony of the IWF Youth Weightlifting Championships took place on April 8. Uzbekiston sports complex was full of guests, athletes and sports fans.

- The international community is well aware of what tangible results the reforms implemented in all areas, including sports, and especially children’s sport gave in Uzbekistan - said the president of the International Weightlifting Federation Tomas Ajan. - Uzbekistan has created excellent conditions for holding all major sporting events at a high level, I am confident that the current championship will be successful. Taking that into account, the International Weightlifting Federation has decided to hold IWF World Championship in Tashkent in 2017. (Source: UzA)