Vektklasser

Vektklasser, or weight classes, are divisions in sport defined by an athlete's body mass. They group competitors with similar weights to promote fair competition and reduce safety risks associated with size and strength disparities. Weight classes are established by national and international governing bodies and vary by sport, federation, and competition level.

In most sports with weight classes, athletes are measured on official scales before a competition. Some sports use a single weigh-in, while others require periodic or multiple weigh-ins. If an athlete fails to meet the limit for a class, they may be disqualified or forced to move to a lighter class, or receive penalties. Weight management and weigh-in timing can influence training and strategy.

Weight classes are common across combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts, as well as non-combat sports including weightlifting, powerlifting, wrestling, and rowing. The number and exact boundaries of classes differ; some sports use a broad spectrum of categories from lightweight to heavyweight, while others employ many narrow divisions.

Historically, the use of weight classes emerged to create safer, more competitive matchups, with formalization occurring in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and expanding over time as new disciplines and governing bodies developed.

In Norwegian contexts, Vektklasser is the standard term used in sport to refer to these divisions, and it reflects the same organizational purpose as weight classes in English-language sports governance.