The World Weightlifting Championship is officially closed

Social and Cultural Centre of the Olympic village hosted the closing ceremony of the World Weightlifting Championship and the award ceremony of the winning men and women teams. 

The event was forestalled by official ceremony of the flag of International Weightlifting Federation conferment to representative of the country, which would host the world tournament in 2019 – the Kingdom of Thailand. As it was said it would be difficult to surpass Turkmenistan by the level of organization of the championship as everything was on top level in this place. 

It is great honour and big responsibility to hold the events of such level, however, Turkmenistan, having again been the host of big sport competitions, which gathered numerous guests from all over the world, managed this excellently. It was said by the sportsmen who came to Ashgabat from hundred countries, their coaches, journalists of leading world media, specialized magazines and TV channels and representatives of the International Weightlifting Federation. 

According to titled athletes, sport experts and heads of the delegation, Ashgabat deserves not only to host the world tournaments but the Olympic Games as well. There are all conditions for it, which meet the requirements of such level including super modern sport infrastructure of the Olympic village of our capital. 

Fiery contests and bright emotions continued for 10 days in the Martial Arts Complex. One world record holder was replaced by new. The records were like fierce hailstorm with every hit of the weight on the podium. 

All sportsmen contested vigorously for the medals throughout the first decade of November, however, despite strong competition, the intent for open and trustful communication and friendship united them all. 

At gala dinner organized for the delegates of Ashgabat 2018 World Weightlifting Championship, the gratitude was expressed to the team of the International Weightlifting Federation as well as to the personnel of Turkmenistan Weightlifting Federation, volunteers and to all who made input to the success of this grandiose event, which became new platform for future dialog and further cooperation. 

It was excellent opportunity for us to study the practice of number of the countries and national federations in development of weightlifting and to gain useful knowledge, which would be used in the future. 

Rich cultural programme has been prepared for the guests of the country. It helped them to know Turkmen history and rich national heritage, its ancient original traditions, to taste and fall in love with Turkmen cuisine, to see the attractions of white-marble Ashgabat. 

Current championship was held with outstanding success not only by the number of records but also because the best technical and organizational conditions were created for this in order the satisfaction with the competitions would be received by athletes and fans, President of International Weightlifting Federation Tamas Ajan said in his speech congratulating everybody on such big sport festival. 

Every sportsman represented his country and the flag of his homeland with pride. They give positive charge to numerous spectators by their performance and wrote new page in the history of the weightlifting, which literally started from new page. This history started in Ashgabat. 

Award ceremony of men’s and women’s team who won in team count took place afterward. The awards were also conferred to Turkmen sportsmen who distinguished themselves at the World Championship. 

The team of the People’s Republic of China is on the first position by total medal count, Thailand is on the second and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the third place. 

Representative of Turkmenistan also received commemorative souvenirs from International Weightlifting Federation. 

The best volunteer and excellent employee also received presents. Their smiles, affability, help and immaculate performance of their duties make the stay of thousands of people in the Olympic village to be comfortable and pleasant. This is the way they continued the traditions of hospitality inherited from the ancestors since the time of the great Silk Road, which historical phenomenon is restored in modern Ashgabat as a bridge connecting the countries and nations. 

The World Championship is over, having become an excellent festival, which gave unforgettable impression and joy to all of us. Many people simply fell in love with the weightlifting due to its strong emotions, which charged everyone with intent to sport victories. Yet, the country improved the pride of all Turkmenistan citizens for their country.