LOS ANGELES, Oct 10 — The 2017 World Weightlifting Championships will be held in Anaheim, California following the withdrawal of original host city Penang, it was announced yeterday.

A statement from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) said the championships would be held at the Anaheim Convention Centre from November 28 to December 5.

The Californian city outside Los Angeles was named as the new venue after the original hosts in Malaysia withdrew over "difficulties” the IWF said. 

"We are saddened that Penang will not be able to host the 2017 IWF World Championships," IWF President Tamas Ajan said. "We are grateful that Anaheim stepped in.”

The Anaheim Convention Centre has regularly hosted major sporting events in the past, and is one of the venues which make up Los Angeles's bid for the 2024 Olympics. — AFP