Qatar’s Fares Ibrahim to debut in 94kg Class at 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in Norway

Qatar’s Olympic gold medalist Fares Ibrahim is preparing for a new milestone in his career as he sets his sights on the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, to be held in Volda, Norway, from October 1 to 10.

This tournament will be particularly significant as it marks Fares’ debut in the 94kg weight division, a shift prompted by the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) recent restructuring of categories. The move is part of a long-term strategy leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where the 94kg division will officially feature.

Previously competing in the now-removed 102kg category, Fares and his coaching team carefully evaluated his technical strengths and physical build before selecting the 94kg class as the most suitable.

Jassim Ibrahim Al-Mansouri, Secretary General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation (QWF) and member of the IWF’s Development and Education Committee, explained that the decision followed an in-depth assessment of Fares’ abilities. In consultation with coach Ibrahim Hassouna and the federation’s technical staff, it was concluded that the 94kg class would give him the best competitive advantage.

Al-Mansouri noted that the 110kg category had also been considered, but emphasized that Fares’ natural frame is better aligned with 94kg. While acknowledging the fierce competition ahead, he expressed strong confidence in Fares’ adaptability and potential to shine in this new weight class.

Although the 2025 World Championships will not contribute directly to Olympic qualification, Al-Mansouri described the event as a vital testing platform to measure Fares’ readiness and performance in his new category. The outcomes, he added, will guide Qatar’s strategy for the upcoming Olympic qualification cycle, which starts in China in November 2026 and concludes with the final qualifiers in Doha in December 2026.

“Fares Ibrahim is not only an Olympic and world champion but also an inspiring figure of commitment, discipline, and ambition. We are determined to fully support him during this transition so that he continues to raise Qatar’s flag proudly on the world stage,” Al-Mansouri affirmed.

Fares holds a special place in Qatar’s sporting history as the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, after winning the 96kg weightlifting title at the Tokyo 2020 Games.