Weigh-in must occur no earlier than how long before competition?

• A. No earlier than 2 hours before competition.
• B. No earlier than 3 hours before competition.
• C. No earlier than 1 hour before competition.
• D. No earlier than 4 hours before competition.

Answer: (A)

Weigh-in timing relative to the start of competition is about verifying the lifter’s weight class in a window that keeps the process fair and the event predictable. The rule sets the limit so the weigh-in happens no earlier than two hours before competition. This two-hour window balances the need to confirm the correct weight class with giving lifters enough time to hydrate, warm up, and prepare after weighing, while also preventing large, last‑minute changes in body weight from occurring that could undermine fairness.

Choosing a longer window would let lifters alter their weight too much before they lift, potentially shifting them out of the declared class. A shorter window, like one hour, would create logistical problems and leave insufficient time for the weigh-in process, paperwork, and setup before attempts begin. Four hours is outside the allowed window and would defeat the purpose of tying the weigh-in to the competition start. So the best answer is two hours.