Weightlifting is one of Australia’s most watched Olympic sports. Since Australia began competing in weightlifting events in the 1948 London Olympics, we’ve had 60 Olympians compete for the country. Vern Barberis was the first Australian to bring home a medal for weightlifting when he won a bronze in the lightweight category.
Now, in 2021, Australia is sending five Olympians to compete in the Tokyo 2020 weightlifting rounds. All have high hopes of bringing home gold, making weightlifting a must-watch event for all Australians.
How to Watch the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games in Australia
Unfortunately, many Australians will not be able to watch their favourite sports live and in-person for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. But, this doesn’t mean we can’t cheer on our athletes from the comfort of our own homes.
Channel 7 is the official home of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for all Australians. There will be live broadcasts on Channel 7 and their sister stations. For those who miss their favourite events (like weightlifting), you can catch-up on 7plus online.
When is weightlifting on in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games?
Saturday, 24 July 2021 — 10:20am –12:30pm (AEST)
- Women’s 49 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Saturday, 24 July 2021 — 1:50pm – 4:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 49 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s 49 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Sunday, 25 July 2021 — 12:50pm – 3:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 61 kg Group B and Men’s 67 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Sunday, 25 July 2021 — 4:50pm – 7:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 61 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s 61 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Sunday, 25 July 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 67 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s 67 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Monday, 26 July 2021 — 2:50pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 55 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Monday, 26 July 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 55 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s 55 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Tuesday, 27 July 2021 — 12:50pm – 3:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 59 kg Group B and Women’s 64 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Tuesday, 27 July 2021 — 4:50pm – 7:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 59 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s 59 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Tuesday, 27 July 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 64 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s 64 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Wednesday, 28 July 2021 — 2:50pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 73 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Wednesday, 28 July 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 73 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s 73 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Saturday, 31 July 2021 — 12:50pm – 3:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 81 kg Group B and Men’s 96 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Saturday, 31 July 2021 — 4:50pm – 7:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 81 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s 81 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Saturday, 31 July 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 96 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s 96 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Sunday, 1 August 2021 — 2:50pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 76 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Sunday, 1 August 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 76 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s 76 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Monday, 2 August 2021 — 12:50pm – 3:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 87 kg Group B and Women’s +87 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Monday, 2 August 2021 — 4:50pm – 7:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s 87 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s 87 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Monday, 2 August 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Women’s +87 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Women’s +87 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 — 2:50pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 109 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s 109 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s 109 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
Wednesday, 4 August 2021 — 2:50pm – 5:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s +109 kg Group B at Tokyo International Forum.
Wednesday, 4 August 2021 — 8:50pm – 11:00pm (AEST)
- Men’s +109 kg Group A at Tokyo International Forum.
- Men’s +109 kg Victory Ceremony at Tokyo International Forum.
The 2020/2021 Australian Weightlifting Team
Brandon Wakeling
Tokyo 2020 will be Brandon’s very first Olympic Games, but likely not his last. The 27 year old began weightlifting 6 years ago when he decided to accompany a friend to the gym who had an interest in the sport. It didn’t take long for Brandon to fall in love with the sport, focusing his full attention on gaining a spot in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Brandon is one to watch in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Charisma Amoe-Tarrant
Charisma began weight lifting at the young age of 11. An already seasoned athlete in shot put and discus it wasn’t long before she made the switch and fell in love with weight lifting. At 13 she moved with her family to Australia before becoming a citizen in 2016. In 2018 she competed in her first Commonwealth Games winning a silver medal.
Erika Yamasaki
Inspired by her older brother, John, Erika began weight training as a teenager where she was identified though her school as a talented athlete. She was the first woman to clean and jerk double her bodyweight, a stunning achievement for the young weightlifter. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be her first Olympics.
Kiana Elliott
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be the first for Kiana who began her sporting career as a gymnast. Unfortunately injury forced her to retire from gymnastics at 14, it was then she fell in love with weightlifting. By 18 she had made the world championships.
Matthew Lydement
Hailing from Brisbane, Mathew began his sporting career on the field, partaking in cricket, rugby and AFL. However injury stalled his progression in the sport multiple times prompting him to shift his focus to weightlifting. Training under two-time Olympian Damon Kelly, he has been able to thrive in the sport and is now making his Olympic debut in the Tokyo 2021 games.
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