Asian Weightlifting Championships moved to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is taking over as host and will stage the Championships in Tashkent, the venue for the Asian Youth and Junior Championships which are now taking place.

The Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) was forced to act to allow China, from where the potentially deadly virus originated, to compete.

Kazakhstan's capital city Nur-Sultan - which was known as Astana until March last year - had been due to host the Championships from April 16 to 25.

But Kazakhstan is not currently allowing entry to any visitors from China, and it was confirmed at the weekend that it has withdrawn as host nation.

Weightlifting becomes the third sport forced to make other arrangements because of Kazakhstan’s policy regarding the virus.

Kazakhstan also declined to host the Fed Cup Asia Zone tennis tournament from February 4 to 8, which has been postponed, and the Asian Water Polo Championships which were to have taken place last week.

The Asian Championships will be held on the original dates in Tashkent, with the AWF Congress on Friday April 17, and the competition running from April 18 to 25.

The third and final six-month phase of qualifying for Tokyo 2020 ends on April 30.