Weightlifting

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Weightlifting is a sport in which barbells are heaved either for exercise or competition.

The history of weightlifting is extensive. The raising of a certain rock served as the traditional test of masculinity for many prehistoric societies. Such masculinity stones can be seen in Greek and Scottish castles, some of which have the name of the first lifter carved into them.

Local stone-lifting competitions are still practised in Germany, Switzerland, the Montenegrin Highlands, and Spain's Basque Country. The consecutive number of lifts within a predetermined time frame is sometimes utilised in these competitions to determine the winner. 

The barbell, a steel bar or rod to which cast-iron or steel disc weights are affixed at each end on a spinning sleeve, is the weight used in contemporary competitive lifting. Weights 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5, and 1.25 kg have been introduced (55, 44, 33, 22, 11, 5.5, and 2.75 pounds).

Eight body-weight categories (with upper restrictions) are used for men's competitions: 56 kg (123 pounds), 62 kg (137 pounds), 69 kg (152 pounds), 77 kg (170 pounds), 85 kg (187 pounds), 94 kg (207 pounds), 105 kg (231 pounds), and more than 105 kg.

Weightlifting is a popular sport in India with many athletes competing at national as well as International levels such as Nadeem Malik, Nilesh Vishwakarma, Vikram Phogat, and Bhaskar Shah.