The World Weightlifting Championships is an international weightlifting competition, currently held annually by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The predecessor organization of the IWF was founded in 1905, but World Championship events began before its foundation. The first recognized World Championship event was held in 1891, and was won by Edward Lawrence Levy of England.
The 1972 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Munich, West Germany from August 27 to September 6, 1972. There were 188 men in action from 54 nations.
The 1947 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Philadelphia, United States from September 26 to September 27, 1947. There were 39 men in action from 12 nations.
The 1937 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Paris, France from September 10 to September 12, 1937. There were 50 men in action from 10 nations.
The 1920 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Vienna, Austria from September 4 to September 8, 1920. There were 74 men in action from 4 nations.
The 1958 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Stockholm, Sweden from September 16 to September 21, 1958. There were 96 men in action from 27 nations.
The 1962 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Budapest, Hungary from September 16 to September 22, 1962. There were 113 men in action from 27 nations. These world championships were combined with European championships.
The 1963 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Stockholm, Sweden from September 7 to September 13, 1963. There were 134 men in action from 32 nations.
The 1982 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia from September 18 to September 26, 1982. There were 205 men in action from 38 nations. These world championships were combined with European championships.
The 1981 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Lille, France, from September 13 to September 20, 1981. There were 194 men in action from 35 nations.
The 1975 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held at the Luzhniki Sports Palace in Moscow, Soviet Union from September 15 to September 23, 1975. There were 169 men in action from 33 nations.
The 1974 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Manila, Philippines from September 21 to September 29, 1974. There were 143 men in action from 32 nations.
The 1973 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Havana, Cuba from September 15 to September 23, 1973. There were 189 men from 39 nations in the competition. These were the first championships held since the elimination of the clean and press from competition.
The 1971 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Lima, Peru from September 18 to September 26, 1971. There were 144 men from 30 nations in the competition.
The 1969 Men's World Weightlifting Championships were held in Warsaw, Poland from September 20 to September 28, 1969. There were 166 men from 37 nations in the competition.
This is the list of world records progression in men's weightlifting. Records are maintained in each weight class for the snatch lift, clean and jerk lift, and the total for both lifts.
This is the list of world records progression in women's weightlifting. Records are maintained in each weight class for the snatch lift, clean and jerk lift, and the total for both lifts.
Austria 
Germany 
Czechoslovakia 
Latvia