Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
56%
IWF Refugee Team to Compete at World Championships in Ningbo
The International Weightlifting Federation announced its 2026 Refugee Team for the World Championships in Ningbo, China, featuring three Britain-based athletes: Ramiro Mora (Cuba), Clementine Noumbissi (Cameroon), and Fatemah Keshavarz (formerly Iran). All three are supported by the IOC Refugee Scholarship program and bring significant competitive experience to the competition.
Quick Facts
Who
Ramiro Mora
What
IWF announced 2026 Refugee Team for World Championships
When
October 27 to November 8, 2026
Where
Ningbo, China
- IWF announced 2026 Refugee Team for World Championships
- Three athletes selected to compete in Ningbo
- IWF launched first Refugee Team in 2023
- Ramiro Mora
- Clementine Noumbissi
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced that its 2026 Refugee Team will compete at the World Championships in Ningbo, China, from October 27 to November 8. The team comprises three athletes based in Britain and supported by the IOC Refugee Scholarship program: Ramiro Mora from Cuba, Clementine Noumbissi from Cameroon, and Fatemah Keshavarz, who previously represented Iran.
Mora competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Team, finishing seventh in the men's 102kg category. Noumbissi, competing in the women's 90kg division, won bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Keshavarz secured silver in the women's 71kg category at the 2023 Asian Championships before switching to compete under the refugee designation in 2024.
The IWF established its first Refugee Team in 2023, creating a pathway for displaced athletes to compete at the international level. The selection of these three accomplished weightlifters for the Ningbo World Championships underscores the growing prominence of refugee athletes in elite sports competition and the IOC's commitment to supporting displaced persons through athletic opportunity.
Why This Matters
This announcement highlights the growing integration of refugee athletes in elite international sports competition. The 2026 World Championships represent a significant milestone for displaced persons seeking to compete at the highest level, demonstrating the IOC's commitment to providing athletic pathways for refugees while showcasing their exceptional talent and resilience on a global stage.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2023
WireIWF launches first Refugee Team
Jun 17, 2026
WireIWF announces 2026 Refugee Team for World Championships in Ningbo