2026 FISU World University Championship Powerlifting

Dear student-athletes, dear friends,

I am delighted to welcome you to Sharjah, for the 2026 FISU World University Championship Powerlifting.

I would like to address you first, dear student-athletes, who are and who always be the beating heart of FISU. 

Competing at the World University Championships is a career highlight for many of you. For others, it is a step up to the next level of performance. What you all have in common is your love of sport, your commitment, your fair play and your respect. You come together as rivals, from different places and different backgrounds, but you will almost certainly leave as friends.

Despite the challenging times we are all facing, you remind us of the special power of young people to reassure us that a better world is possible. You remind us of the need to prioritise sport, sustainability, inclusivity and healthy social exchange. FISU firmly believes that university athletes are the role models and future leaders the world needs.

Over the following 5 days, you will compete alongside some of the best student-athletes on the planet. The FISU World University Championships demand skill, athleticism, and single-minded determination to do your best. But beyond the competition, FISU urges you to have fun. May you return home with memories that will last a lifetime!

None of FISU’s events would be possible without the generosity of our hosts. I want to extend our sincere gratitude to the National University Sports Federation of United Arab Emirates, the organisers for their dedication and the volunteers for their passion.

FISU is also grateful for the ongoing support of the International Sports Federations. Together, we aim to provide the highest level of technical excellence on and off the field of play.

I am confident that the 2026 FISU World University Championship Powerlifting in Sharjah will give you every opportunity to shine, to interact and to grow as people.

I wish you the best of luck!

Leonz Eder
FISU President

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah, capital of culture and knowledge, I am pleased to welcome you to the University of Sharjah. This distinguished institution has long stood as a meeting place of civilizations, a hub for knowledge and discovery, and a bridge that connects peoples and cultures.

Your participation in this global championship reflects a message we hold dear in both the Emirate and the University of Sharjah: that true excellence stems from a balance between physical, intellectual, and academic strengths, and between personal ambition and social responsibility. Sport, with all its noble values, remains one of the world’s universal languages; one that transcends borders and brings nations together in shared understanding and friendship.

In our view, hosting the World University Powerlifting Championship is far more than a sporting event; it is a celebration of youth and their energy, determination, and drive.

Dear Participants,

During the competitions, you will all represent your home countries with pride, embody the values of your universities and create friendships whose positive impact will endure long after this championship ends.

Therefore, I encourage you all to compete with integrity, mutual respect, and a true spirit of sportsmanship, holding fast to the belief that fair competition is the highest expression of excellence. Let these days be an opportunity to connect, to exchange ideas and experiences, and to build bonds that reach beyond geography and time.

Once again, I warmly welcome you to the University of Sharjah -a crossroads of civilizations and a beacon of intellectual and cultural diversity. I wish you every success in this championship, and I hope that will gain inspiring experiences and lasting memories that will enrich your academic and personal journeys.

Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi
Deputy Ruler of Sharjah
President of the University of Sharjah