Road to LA28: Weightlifting’s Next Olympic Chapter

The Olympic cycle has reset, and weightlifting is gearing up for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. With new bodyweight categories, stricter governance, and a fresh generation of athletes rising through the ranks, the next four years promise to reshape the sport. Companies like LUXIAOJUN, which support athletes with cutting-edge equipment and training gear, especially lifters. An athlete’s kit is playing an increasingly important role in helping lifters reach peak performance. Here’s a look at the timeline, key milestones, and some of the lifters who could make history when the platform lights up in LA.

A Roadmap to LA 2028: The Quadrennial Timeline

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Milestones to Watch Over the Quad

The LA28 cycle will be packed with pivotal events and transitions that shape the Olympic platform. Here are the biggest milestones fans and athletes should keep an eye on:

• 2025 – New Bodyweight Categories: Starting June 1, new IWF categories take effect. Athletes will need to decide whether to move up or down in class, and many federations will experiment with strategies to find their athletes’ best fit. This transition year will be crucial for building momentum toward qualification.
• 2026 – World Championships: The first Worlds under the new categories will be a proving ground. Expect breakout performances as lifters test themselves against international rivals, with early Olympic ranking points up for grabs.
• 2027 – Continental Championships & Worlds: By now, Olympic qualification will be in full swing. Athletes will chase points at every opportunity, while federations focus on securing quotas. The 2027 Worlds in Armenia could be one of the most competitive pre-Olympic events of the cycle.
• 2028 – Final Push Before LA: In early 2028, the last qualifying events will lock in the Olympic field. NOCs will confirm entries based on quota spots and athlete form. From there, all eyes turn to Los Angeles, where the weightlifting competition will take place at the Peacock Theater from 14–30 July 2028.

Beyond the competitions, governance and anti-doping reforms remain under close watch. The IWF must maintain credibility to keep weightlifting’s Olympic status secure, making athlete welfare and clean sport central themes of the cycle.

Athletes to Keep an Eye On

While the LA28 Games are still a few years away, several lifters have already positioned themselves as names to watch. Combining youth, raw talent, and international success, these athletes could be the stars of Olympic weightlifting in Los Angeles.

• Garik Karapetyan (Armenia) – At 20 in Paris 2024, Karapetyan narrowly missed the podium in the men’s 102 kg, finishing 4th. Already a junior world record holder, he represents the next generation of Armenian weightlifting excellence. With four more years of growth, he could be a dominant contender for gold in LA.
• Hampton Morris (USA) – The American prodigy set senior world records in the 61 kg class and made a breakthrough internationally at just 20. For a country that hasn’t won a men’s Olympic weightlifting medal since 1984, Morris is a generational talent. His consistency and competitive drive make him one of Team USA’s biggest medal hopes at LA28.
• Siuzanna Valodzka (Belarus) – A rising star in the women’s 71 kg class, Valodzka nearly reached the podium in Paris and has strong European results. Known for her explosive lifts and steady progress, she could mature into a complete competitor and a serious gold medal threat with continued development and smart competition planning.
• Katie Estep (USA) – Part of the new wave of American women’s lifters, Estep has impressed at junior and senior levels. With LA28 on home soil, she has the stage to make a breakout performance and deliver a landmark moment for Team USA.

These four athletes — Karapetyan, Morris, Valodzka, and Estep — represent a mix of international talent and rising stars who could define the next era of Olympic weightlifting at LA28.