The USA Weightlifting Board of Directors voted Monday to adopt the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) new weight categories at the 2018 Nike American Open Series 3 powered by Rogue Fitness in Las Vegas this September.

The IWF has yet to announce the restructured weight categories, but is expected to have the new weight categories finalized by this summer. Due to the change in weight categories, registration for American Open Series 3 will not begin until the IWF finalizes the new weight categories.

USA Weightlifting looks forward to commemorating the American Record holders in any retired weight category.

As part of the its revamping of the sport, the IWF will establish new weight categories that will be contested in all international competitions beginning with the 2018 World Weightlifting Championships.

Seven weight categories from each gender, taken from the new set of weight categories, will be contested at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The board also agreed Monday to approve the use of data interpretation to establish American Record standards once the new weight categories are finalized by the IWF. Data interpretation to establish American Record standards was last used in 2016 when the IWF created the women's 90kg weight category.

Once the new weight categories are finalized, USA Weightlifting will update its selection and stipend procedures accordingly.

For international team qualification at the 2018 American Open Series 2 & Youth Olympic Games trials in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania July 26-29, athletes competing for selection will need to weigh below the category that they are seeking to be selected in. This is the same process currently used for selection to the 44kg and 50kg categories in events those categories are not contested.

Click here to read the board's vote.