Olympic weightlifting, also called Olympic-style weightlifting, or simply weightlifting, is an athletic discipline in the modern Olympic programme in which the athlete attempts a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates. The two competition lifts in this order are, the snatch and the clean & jerk. Each weightlifter receives three attempts for each, and the combined total of the highest two successful lifts determines the overall result within a bodyweight category. Bodyweight categories are different for women and men. A lifter who fails to complete at least one successful snatch and one successful clean and jerk also fails to total, and therefore receives an "incomplete" entry for the competition.

In comparison with other strength sports, which test limit strength (with or without lifting aids), Olympic weightlifting tests the aspects of human ballistic limits (explosive strength); the lifts are therefore executed faster—and with more mobility and a greater range of motion during their execution - than other strength movements. Properly executed, the snatch and the clean and jerk are both dynamic and explosive while appearing graceful, especially when viewed from a recording at a slowed speed.

The snatch is the first of two lifts contested in the sport of  weightlifting (also known as olympic weightlifting) followed by the clean and jerk. The objective of the snatch is to lift the barbell from the ground to overhead in one continuous motion. There are four main styles of snatch used: squat snatch (or full snatch), split snatch, power snatch, and muscle snatch. The squat snatch and split snatch are the most common styles used in competition while power snatch and muscle snatch are mostly used for training purposes.

The clean and jerk is a composite of two weightlifting movements, most often performed with a barbell: the clean and the jerk. During the clean, the lifter moves the barbell from the floor to a racked position across deltoids and clavicles. During the jerk the lifter raises the barbell to a stationary position above the head, finishing with straight arms and legs, and the feet in the same plane as the torso and barbell.

SAWF is the official Weightlifting federation in South Africa which is affiliated with SASCOC and IWF. The Arnold Classic Africa 2016 Weightlifting event will be hosted by South Africa Weightlifting Federation. Participation in this event will solely be by invitation from SAWF.

The weightlifting event will be running from the 27th to the 29th May 2016 and will consist of the following divisions:

YOUTH: 13 - 17 years of age
Female: 44 kg 48 kg 53 kg 58 kg 63 kg 69 kg +69 kg
Male: 50 kg  56 kg  62 kg  69 kg  77 kg  85 kg  94 kg +94 kg

JUNIOR: 15 - 20 years of age
Female: 48 kg 53 kg 58 kg 63 kg 69 kg 75 kg +75 kg
Male: 56 kg 62 kg 69 kg 77 kg 85 kg 94 kg 105 kg +105 kg

SENIOR: 15+ years of age
Female: 48 kg 53 kg 58 kg 63 kg 69 kg 75 kg +75 kg
Male: 56 kg 62 kg 69 kg 77 kg 85 kg 94 kg 105 kg +105 kg

Website:   weightliftingsa.co.za
Facebook:   WeightliftingSA
Contact: Michael Maritz
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