Doha: HE First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation; and President of the Qatar, Arab, Asian, and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations, Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana expressed his satisfaction with the organizational and technical success of the three combined championships: the 10th Qatar International Cup, the Arab Weightlifting Championships for youth, juniors, and seniors, and the West Asia Weightlifting Championships, held across the same age categories.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Mana emphasized that the competitions across all three tournaments were highly competitive in all categories and weight divisions, revealing promising talents in weightlifting who are expected to play a significant role in the near future. He expressed hope that these emerging athletes would receive the necessary support and development from their respective countries.
Al Mana said that the Qatar national team includes a group of distinguished male and female lifters who require continued development to achieve excellence at the continental and global levels. He noted that the federation will provide them with suitable conditions for progress by ensuring greater exposure and competition alongside world-class athletes.
He highlighted the standout performances of 16-year-old rising star Fares Ahmed Jaber, who won 15 medals (12 gold and 3 silver), and Wesal Yakhlef, who claimed nine gold medals. Al Mana noted that both athletes are expected to continue their development at both continental and international levels, particularly as they prepare for upcoming Asian and world competitions in the coming months.
Al Mana also stressed his intention to work toward securing the honor of hosting one of the seven Olympic qualification events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, as Qatar did successfully on the road to Paris 2024. He emphasized that the continued success of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation in organizing and hosting major continental and global events is the result of sustained effort and dedication by its administrative and technical staff.
He explained that the federation's strategy of organizing annual local, continental, and international championships aims to promote and develop the sport domestically, attract more young athletes, and produce new champions for Qatar's age-group national teams.
Commenting on his re-election as President of the Arab Weightlifting Federation for a new term, Al Mana expressed his gratitude for the strong confidence shown by the federation's General Assembly, which elected him unopposed. He expressed hope to live up to this responsibility and to continue his efforts to advance Arab weightlifting during the new term.
He attributed this confidence to the international community's trust in Qatar's administrative and organizational capabilities, as well as recognition of the successful policies he implemented during his previous term, which contributed to the development of Arab weightlifting.
Al Mana added that the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, chaired by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, was a key factor in his electoral success, stressing that this achievement reflects not only his personal efforts but also Qatar's enduring association with sporting excellence and global success.
He confirmed that Arab weightlifting has made significant progress over the past two decades, achieving notable international results, and pledged to continue working tirelessly to elevate the sport across the Arab world in a manner that serves member federations, especially given weightlifting's historic status as a core Olympic sport.
For his part, Secretary-General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation and member of the IWF Development and Education Committee, Jassim Ibrahim Al Mansoori praised the outstanding achievements of the Qatari team in the combined championships, particularly through Fares Ahmed Jaber and Wesal Yakhlef. He affirmed that these results reflect the federation's strategic vision for developing and expanding the sport.
In a press statement, Al Mansoori said that Fares' haul of 15 medals in the combined championships represents a major achievement for Qatari weightlifting and marks the beginning of a promising career capable of competing at both continental and international levels.
He added that the national team's results are the product of sound planning and comprehensive preparation programs, implemented by the federation with the support and supervision of its Board of Directors, headed by HE Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana.
Al Mansoori stressed that the federation places great importance on developing age-group categories, as they form the foundation for producing future champions. He described Fares as a model of a disciplined and ambitious athlete capable of representing Qatar with distinction in upcoming competitions.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary-General of the Qatar Weightlifting Federation, Khaled Nabina expressed pride in the national team's achievements at the combined championships, which featured participation from more than 25 countries across the region.
He noted that Qatari lifters secured a total of 24 medals - 21 gold and 3 silver - reflecting the tangible progress achieved by weightlifting in Qatar.
Nabina attributed these results to the federation's tireless efforts at both administrative and technical levels, as well as the ongoing support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, which he described as the primary driving force behind these accomplishments.