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In anticipation of the formal approval of an additional 8^th bodyweight category for Women, expected to be above the 75kg category, USA Weightlifting is delighted to confirm it will include the new category immediately after formal IWF approval.

Such formal approval is anticipated at the IWF Congress in Penang, Malaysia, this October. Should the new category be formally confirmed, USA Weightlifting will offer that category beginning with the 2016 American December 8-11 in Orlando, Florida.

For the purposes of the American Open, athletes who qualify in the 75kg and +75kg categories will be given the opportunity to move into the new category based on qualification totals made at the existing 75kg and +75kg totals.

For all events in 2017, USA Weightlifting will set qualification totals equally between the current 75kg and +75kg totals. The new highest limited category will be set as follows:

Meet	Q Total 75kg	Q Total +75kg	New Weight Category*
National Juniors - Kansas City	144kg	160kg	154kg
Nationals - Chicago	189kg	194kg	192kg
National Youth 16-17  - Atlanta	118kg	125kg	122kg
Nat University(TBD – 2016 used)	155kg	164kg	159kg
American Open Final (TBD – 2016 used) - Anaheim, CA	176kg	184kg	180kg

*If approved by IWF