For the first time in nearly 40 years the 2015 IWF World Championships come to the USA and the equipment goes Americana

Eleiko Sport partners with the Houston LOC and USA Weightlifting to create unique equipment branded specifically for the Houston Championships

HOUSTON, TX, August 11, 2015– The 2015 IWF World Championships Local Organizing Committee announced today that for the first time in World Championships history the Eleiko weight sets used for athlete training and competition will have an “Americana” feel specifically designed for the competition this November at George R. Brown Convention Center.

“When we first started talking about developing the equipment, we knew we wanted to focus on a red, white and blue color scheme since this is the first time in nearly 40 years that the Championships have been in the USA,” said Janis Burke, CEO of Harris County - Houston Sports Authority. “Staying true to our Texas heritage was also very important to us, so we incorporated stars throughout our entire design; from the discs, to the racks, to the competition platform, you can see that the USA and Texas are well represented.”

The “Americana” theme will be paired with features from the event logo and will be unique to 87 branded sets. Over 900 athletes from around the world will use the official IWF-certified World Championships weight sets in the training hall and on the competition stage.  Each set includes 1 set of discs, 1 men’s and women’s bar, 1 set of change plates, 1 pair of collars, 1 platform, 1 squat rack, 1 disc rack, 1 chalk box, and 2 red 25KG discs.

Two weeks prior to competition, Team USA weightlifters will be hosting a Training Camp at Rice University and will be the first to use the equipment. From November 19 – 28, competition sets will be rotated daily with 15 sets in the warm-up room and 2 sets in the main Competition Hall.  70 training sets will be placed in the Training Hall which is historically the largest number of sets used in a world competition for athlete preparation.

 “USA Weightlifting is excited to partner with Harris County - Houston Sports Authority and Eleiko as we host the first weightlifting world championships on American soil in nearly 40 years. We take the honor of hosting these championships very seriously and have worked to make these championships the best ever for all athletes, fans and families, both in the venue and on the broadcast. We are confident that our equipment, our theme and our presentation will reflect the pride and honor that we have in hosting this prestigious event,” said Michael Massik, CEO of USA Weightlifting.

“Eleiko Sport is honored and proud to be a part of the 2015 IWF World Championships in Houston, TX, where we have created, for the first time ever in a world championship, a completely unique design of all equipment - from the barbells and discs, to the racks and stands,” added Erik Blomberg, CEO of Eleiko Sport Group.  “The centerpiece of the event will be the custom branded Eleiko Competition Platform that will be unveiled on opening day of competition. We are confident that the athletes will view this event as the best world championships they have ever attended, as we make sure to provide the world’s best barbell and lifting equipment.” 

The 17 IWF-certified World Championships competition sets as well as 70 training sets are for sale to the public.  For information on the equipment visit www.houstoniwf2015.com/weightsetoffer.  To purchase equipment contact USA Weightlifting at usaw@usaweightlifting.org or Eleiko Sport USA atusa@eleikosport.com.  

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If you would like more information about the 2015 IWF World Championships, please contact Sarah Marie Blanton at 713-308-5916 or email at sblanton@houstonsports.org.