Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles

[L&J]

Have read that this event will be in CM Sept. 16-27. Does anyone know anything about this?

Is it THE WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS or is it something less significant?

CM Mail seemed to indicate that there would be impressive Opening Ceremonies but of course

gave no details. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks- JOHN

[whimsy]

It really is the real deal. Wish I was still in Chiang Mai right now so I could go.

I found this site talking about it. http://www.weightliftingexchange.com

Here is a quote.

This year's worlds is especially important as it is the main qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The placing of national teams determines how many athletes each nation will be permitted to enter the following year in Beijing. Therefore, this should be a very exciting championship with the majority of nations sending very well prepared, full teams.

[L&J]

- OK-now I know it is the real deal and does offer a lot of interest to us.

However after viewing a number of websites I can find absolutely no

information about actual venues or need for tickets? The opening ceremonies are at 18:00

on Sunday the 16th so have some time to search it out. Will go to 700 year Stadium

complex and begin the hunt. If anyone else finds out anything please post it-I'll

post later what I find. JOHN

[L&J]

Here is what we found out about the Royal World Weightlifting Championships.

The Opening Ceremonies will be Sunday 16th at 18:00 at the CMU Auditorium

The competitions will begin on Monday 17th and will be held at 700 Year Stadium complex.

The full schedule can be found here: http://www.royalwwc2007.com/schedule.php

They are setting up a lot of tents for vendors out at the Stadium complex so maybe

opportunity to get some sports items not normally found locally.

MOST IMPORTANT FACT- all the activities are FREE-no tickets required we were told.

Should be interesting and undoubtedly the first time a World Championship has been held

in CM. Noticed that the bidders for 2011 Event include Paris and Los Angeles. Hope to see

some of you there- JOHN

[L&J]

Would like to report that the Opening Ceremonies of the Royal World Weightlifting Championships

2007 held at the CMU Convention Center this evening were outstanding. There are 93 nations represented

at this event which is the qualifier for competition at the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing. the CMU Arts

Department presented a show comprising of a number of bands and nearly a hundred dancers all in

amazingly beautiful dress. The presentation was fit for a King or at least for the Crown Prince who was in

attendance. The highlight of the evening in our minds came at the very end when many of the biggest

strongest men and women in the World came onto the floor of the center and sought on the diminutive

dancers so that they could pose with them in pictures.

The competition starts tomorrow at the 700 Year Indoor Stadium venue , which we visited this afternoon and found to be

decked out very nicely. Hopefully some of you can attend this event and support some great athletes from your home

country and Thailand.

interesting.

[mild7even]

L&J, thanks for the info and update, and keep them coming, if you don't mind. I definitely intend on getting out to the stadium for at least some of the events and would appreciate any inside info.

Thanks...

[SwaziBird]

L&J, thanks for the info and update, and keep them coming, if you don't mind. I definitely intend on getting out to the stadium for at least some of the events and would appreciate any inside info.

Thanks...

Thought you might be interested in this info gleaned from the BEIJING daily papers.

( It would seem they give out more news than the Thai papers do - including the daily Bangkok papers !!!)

*245 female competitors in 7 categories

*509 male competitors in 8 categories

*3 gold medals in each of the 15 categories

(a) snatch

( clean & jerk

© total

*45 gold medals ,in all

Uncertain whether it's correct but that's what they reported as well as indicating that this total of 754 competitors was a record number for this competition.

I'll be watching on the tele.

Cheers

[L&J]

Thanks for the stats on the event-here are some tips for attending-all of this applies to our experience today

so if it is handled differently later please don't blame us.

1. Parking is readily available right outside the Indoor Stadium-all the people connected with the event arrive by

way of shuttles so they don't take up parking

2. The groups competitions run at 9:30-12:00-14:30-17:00-20:00- there is an hour break between groups.

3. Top groups all go off at 17:00 so if you want to see the best lifters make it to that slot.

4. The building is not ACed, though they have misting fans going that keep it fairly comfortable

5. Best viewing is from left of center as you get better view of scoreboard-however if you have

binoculars bring them.

6. You can bring in food and beverages-recommended since what is available there is limited.

7. Outside vendors for the most part are dealing in Thai handicrafts-though they do have some nice

event shirts for the 400-600 baht range. If you need an XXXL shirt this is where to find them.

8. Try to sit near some of the teams that are there to cheer on their teammates - the Polish team was

a lot of fun.

9. All announcements about results are made in English.

10. No problem taking video if you like-you're a bit far from competitors to take photos though

Hope this information is useful.

[Awk]

Thanks for the stats on the event-here are some tips for attending-all of this applies to our experience today

so if it is handled differently later please don't blame us.

...

Great info, thanks! Won't be able to make the 17:00/Group A competitions during the weekdays, but heading

of later this evening to at least get to see Group B at 20:00. Was hoping there'd be plenty of

foodstalls, but I gather that was not your experience. :-(

[L&J]

Attended the finals of the Men's 56Kilo weight class tonight and it was full of everything you would

want in a sporting event. There was a Thai lifter in the final group which really got the crowd into the event.

A Chinese lifter bested a South Korean to win a gold in the first half of the event, but the second half

produced the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."

The Chinese lifter who seemed in control of the competition chose to start the second event at a

weight that resulted in two failures before successfully gutted out his last attempt. Next a Vietnamese

lifter chose to come in at an even higher weight but failed to appear for his first of three lifts. When

he emerged from the locker room for his second lift it was obvious that something was wrong. Just off the lifting area

he peeled down the top of his uniform and his coaches worked on his lower back. He may have gotten better

massage from the ladies offering it in the public area outside the stadium for when he finally approached the bar

he backed off without an attempt.

His last attempt was to come two minutes later after yet more massage from the coaches. He grasped the bar

weighing 156 KGs or almost three times his body weight and brought it to his shoulders before collapsing

backwards onto the map. His arms managed to throw the bar over his head as he fell and most narrowly escaped

it falling on his head or neck. He lay on the mat as staff rushed to his aid, but though in obvious pain he walked

away.

Next a Cuban lifter ,who had not distinguished himself in the first half, managed to lift the 156KGs with a

massive effort that would give him the Gold. There were two South Korean lifters who could best him and it

appeared probable that at least one would. Thefirst did not come close to getting the weight overhead but

the second produced a mighty effort that almost produced victory before he also collapsed to the floor.

The Korean coaches rushed the mat and seemed more intent on shielding their man from the cameras

than in establishing his well being. After a short while he also managed to rise to his feet and though he failed to win the

Gold for the second part of the event he did claim the Gold for the overall event.

Go out and see what is going on at the 700 Year Stadium and I'm sure you'll be rewarded with some

interesting memories. BTW there are some food stalls outside the back of the competition stadium, but bring along

your own food and picnic in the stands.