Above picture, Hanno`s picture credit: Hookgrip, all others, Tytti, FygsterMedia

The 2026 IWF World Championships will take place in Ningbo, China, from October 27 to November 8. Team Finland will be represented by four athletes, and FygsterMedia will once again provide live reporting, competition updates, results, and coverage from every Finnish athlete throughout the championships.

All sessions can be watched live through Weightlifting House TV (subscription required).

Team Finland Schedule

Sonja Koponen

Women's 49 kg - B Group

📅 October 27, 2026

• Competition Start: 11:00 (China) / 05:00 (Finland)
• Weigh-in: 08:00 (China) / 02:00 (Finland)

Janette Ylisoini

Women's 77 kg - A Group

📅 November 5, 2026

• Competition Start: 19:00 (China) / 13:00 (Finland)
• Weigh-in: 16:00 (China) / 10:00 (Finland)

Hanno Keskitalo

Men's +110 kg - C Group

📅 November 7, 2026

• Competition Start: 11:00 (China) / 05:00 (Finland)
• Weigh-in: 08:00 (China) / 02:00 (Finland)

Minni Hormavirta

Women's 86 kg - B Group

📅 November 7, 2026

• Competition Start: 13:30 (China) / 07:30 (Finland)
• Weigh-in: 10:30 (China) / 04:30 (Finland)

Lock Out Podcast World Championships Preview Released Earlier

We also have a small update regarding our World Championships coverage.

The first episode of the Lock Out Podcast World Championships Preview, featuring Miika Antti-Roiko, will be released earlier than originally announced.

Originally, I announced October 27 as the release date, but after taking a closer look at the competition schedule, I realized that Sonja Koponen's session begins at 05:00 Finnish time on October 27. I simply hadn't considered how significant the time difference between Finland and China would be for the opening session.

To make sure everyone has enough time to watch the preview before Finland's first athlete takes the platform, the first episode will now be released ahead of schedule.

In the episode, we discuss:

• Finland's athletes and medal chances
• The biggest international storylines
• Potential world record attempts
• Rising stars and returning champions
• Predictions for the 2026 World Championships

My apologies for the scheduling change, and thank you for your understanding.

Watch Live

All championship sessions can be viewed through Weightlifting House TV with an active subscription.

In addition, FygsterMedia will provide:

• Live reports from every Finnish athlete
• Competition updates and result
• Lock Out Podcast World Championships coverage

Weightlifting Fans' Viewer Guide

For those who want to follow the biggest sessions of the championships, here are all A, B, C and D groups converted to Finnish time.

A Group Schedule (Medal Sessions)

These are the sessions where World Championship medals are expected to be decided. 

October 27

• Men's 60 kg A — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland
• Women's 49 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

October 28

• Men's 65 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

October 29

• Women's 53 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

October 30

• Women's 57 kg A — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland
• Men's 70 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

October 31

• Men's 75 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 1

• Women's 61 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 2

• Men's 85 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 3

• Women's 69 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 4

• Men's 95 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 5

- Janette Ylisoini (Women's 77 kg A) — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 6

• Men's 110 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 7

• Women's 86 kg A — 19:00 China / 13:00 Finland

November 8

• Men's +110 kg A — 14:00 China / 08:00 Finland

B Group Schedule

October 27

• Sonja Koponen (Women's 49 kg B) — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Men's 60 kg B — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

October 28

• Men's 65 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

October 29

• Women's 57 kg B — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Women's 53 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

October 31

• Men's 75 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

November 1

• Women's 61 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

November 2

• Men's 85 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

November 3

• Women's 69 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

November 4

• Men's 95 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

November 5

• Women's 77 kg B — 16:00 China / 10:00 Finland

November 6

• Men's 110 kg B — 16:30 China / 10:30 Finland

November 7

• Minni Hormavirta (Women's 86 kg B) — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland
• Men's +110 kg B — 16:30 China / 10:30 Finland

November 8

• Women's +86 kg B — 11:30 China / 05:30 Finland

C & D Group Schedule

October 28

• Men's 65 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Men's 65 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

October 29

• Women's 53 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Women's 53 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

October 30

• Men's 75 kg D — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

October 31

• Men's 75 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 1

• Women's 61 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Women's 61 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 2

• Men's 85 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Men's 85 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 3

• Women's 69 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Women's 69 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 4

• Men's 95 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Men's 95 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 5

• Women's 77 kg D — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Women's 77 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 6

• Men's 110 kg C — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland
• Women's 86 kg C — 13:30 China / 07:30 Finland

November 7

• Hanno Keskitalo (Men's +110 kg C) — 11:00 China / 05:00 Finland

November 8

• Women's +86 kg C — 09:00 China / 03:00 Finland

FygsterMedia's Must-Watch Sessions

Sonja Koponen - Women's 49 kg B

Janette Ylisoini - Women's 77 kg A

Minni Hormavirta - Women's 86 kg B

Hanno Keskitalo - Men's +110 kg C

Additional Sessions I'd Keep an Eye On 

Women's 77 kg B (Nov 5, 10:00 Finnish Time)
This session gives an early indication of where the rankings are heading before Janette Ylisoini takes the platform in the A-group.

Women's 86 kg C (Nov 6, 07:30 Finnish Time)
Worth watching to see whether any lifters post totals that could put pressure on Minni Hormavirta ahead of the B-group session.

Men's +110 kg B (Nov 7, 10:30 Finnish Time)
A must-watch session for heavyweight fans. Depending on final entries and declarations, this session may feature lifters capable of shaking up the overall standings and provides important context before the super heavyweight finale.

Women's 77 kg A (Nov 5, 13:00 Finnish Time)
For Finnish fans, this is arguably the headline session of the championships.

Women's 86 kg A (Nov 7, 13:00 Finnish Time)
Watch immediately after Minni's B-group to see how her total stacks up against the world's best.

Men's +110 kg A (Nov 8, 08:00 Finnish Time)
One of the most anticipated sessions of the entire World Championships and traditionally where some of the biggest lifts of the competition are made.

Join the Conversation

Will you be following Team Finland, the medal sessions, or the super heavyweight battles?

Which session is a must-see for you?

Comment below and join the conversation.

Tytti Fygster

FygsterMedia

The Pulse of Finnish Weightlifting.

Documenting Finnish Weightlifting.