USA Weightlifting have used mathematical formulas to create new records in each of the new bodyweight divisions recently created by the IWF ©USA Weightlifting

USA Weightlifting have created new American record standards for the new bodyweight categories recently introduced by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). 

They have used mathematical formulas and "other scientific measures" to come up with the records.

At their Congress in Uzbekistan this month, the IWF approved 10 new bodyweight categories for both men and women.

The 10 for junior and senior men are 55 kilograms, 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 81kg, 89kg, 96kg, 102kg, 109kg and over-109kg, while for junior and senior women they are 45kg, 49kg, 55kg, 59kg, 64kg, 71kg, 76kg, 81kg, 87kg and over-87kg.

New youth categories were also announced.

They are 49kg, 55kg, 61kg, 67kg, 73kg, 81kg, 89kg, 96kg, 102kg and over-102kg for men and 40kg, 45kg, 49kg, 55kg, 59kg, 64kg, 71kg, 76kg, 81kg and over-81kg for women.

Previously there were only eight bodyweight categories.

New US records have now been created for each of the new divisions, to set a target for athletes competing within them.

Shane Hamman's over-105kg records have become the new over-109kg records ©Getty Images
Shane Hamman's over-105kg records have become the new over-109kg records ©Getty Images

Competition will begin in the new classes at the 2018 Nike American Open Series 3 from September 13 to 16.

For the new men's 55kg class the clean and jerk record has been set at 134kg, while in the 89kg class it has been set at 207kg.

In the women's divisions the new 45kg clean and jerk record is now 94kg and the 81kg record is 141kg.

Some records have simply been moved across from an old division into a new one.

Quiana Welch's old women's snatch record from the 75kg class has now become the new record in the 76kg division. 

Shane Hamman’s records in the old men's over-105kg class have now become the records for the new 109kg class.

A full list of the changes can be seen here.