The 2018 World Weightlifting Championships were held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan from 1 to 10 November 2018. This was the first World Championship after the IWF changed their weight classes and nullified all world records. As a result, this World Championship saw a total of 31 senior men's world records and 41 senior women's world records set.
To celebrate the event, then-President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow lifted a golden weight bar, albeit without any actual weights, during a cabinet meeting while his subordinates applauded him. The bizarre scene, broadcast on state media, was met with ridicule by worldwide press.
Ranking by Big (Total result) medals
Ranking by all medals: Big (Total result) and Small (Snatch and Clean & Jerk)
A total of 582 competitors from 85 nations participated.