The men's 56 kilograms weightlifting event was the lightest men's event at the weightlifting competition, limiting competitors to a maximum of 56 kilograms of body mass. The whole competition took place on August 10, but was divided in two parts due to the number of competitors. Group B weightlifters competed at 10:00, and Group A, at 19:00. This event was the third Weightlifting event to conclude. The Athens gold medalist Turkish Halil Mutlu was not in Beijing to attempt his 4th straight gold medal.