Overview
- The women’s Olympic categories are 53kg, 61kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg and +86kg, with men at 65kg, 75kg, 85kg, 95kg, 110kg and +110kg.
- The IWF says these divisions will be used in all its competitions starting August 1, 2026, with 49kg continuing at select meets until the switch.
- The categories were proposed by the IWF Technical Committee, provisionally cleared by the Executive Board in Forde, Norway, and ratified by the Athletes Commission.
- Tokyo silver medallist Mirabai Chanu’s current priority is the Asian Games, which are unaffected, though she would need to move up to 53kg to pursue LA 2028.
- Indian officials see opportunity in the new entry class, noting youth world record holder Koyel Bar at 53kg as a potential contender for development.