 |
 |
 |
Our goal is to develop and promote high-standard and enjoyable drug-free competition in powerlifting at local, regional, national and international levels.
|
Back: Home > Membership Getting Started
Welcome to powerlifting! This page has been designed to give those interested in the sport of powerlifting an insight into the ultimate sport of strength. A BRIEF HISTORY Powerlifting as we know it today had its origins in the USA in the 1960's and also has a connection with the "strength set" consisting of Bench Press, Dead Lift and (Bicep) Curl that was contested in Scotland at about the same time. This had been after a number of years of strongman-type competitions that were held in conjunction with bodybuilding and/or Olympic weightlifting competitions. Within a very short time, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) was created (1971), representing nations from all parts of the world. The IPF represents the sport worldwide, with over 100 member nations, participation in the World Games and with IOC recognition pending. The IPF is also the anti-doping organisation for powerlifting being under the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) code and conducts a vigorous world-wide drug testing program. Today, powerlifting competitions are held in over 100 countries from all over the world including the powerhouse nations such as USA and Russia through to small islands nations such as Nauru and Niue. The Australian IPF affiliate, Powerlifting Australia, was also founded in 1971, having hosted its first Men's National Championships that year. The first Women's National Championships were held in 1980. The most Australian Championship wins is held by Glen Waszkeil from Queensland, who won 14 National Titles between 1975 to 1988 in bodyweight divisions ranging from 56kg to 75kg. Australia has had a distinguished record in womens world competitions, with 6 World Champions in the 1980s (Sue Jordan, Beverly Francis, Pam Matthews, Linda Miller, Gael Mulhall and Heidi Wittesch). In more recent years Katrina Robertson won the 1997 World Championship at 90+kg and also is the current open World Record holder in the Deadlift with a lift of 263.5kg. Julie Deakin has been a recent Worlds medallist and in 2006 Jeannette Gevers won the World Masters (40+ years) 56kg title. The most distinguished international male competitor for Australia has been Ray Rigby (Vic), who has won 2 bronze and 2 silver medals at World Championships. Rohan Smith won a bronze in the Deadlift at the 1991 World Championships and Nghiep Luu and Peter Kyriakos have won medals in World Junior Championships. THE SPORT OF POWERLIFTING Powerlifting is a test of how much weight can be lifted on a barbell. The powerlifts are very different to those of weightlifting. The powerlifts are:
The winner is the lifter with the highest total for the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift added together. A more detailed description of the lifts and rules that govern them are found later in this article or in the IPF rulebook. POWERLIFTING DIVISIONS Powerlifting is conducted in bodyweight divisions so that competitors can compete against people of similar bodyweight.
As well as bodyweight divisions, competitors are grouped into age divisions and records are currently held in the following groupings:
As well as the more traditional three-lift powerlifting contests,
the above classes are used for competition in the Bench Press
only, an event which is gaining in participants.
DOPING CONTROL Powerlifting Australia, through the combined efforts of the IPF, WADA, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), has achieved the establishment of a highly effective anti-doping program for powerlifting in Australia particularly and also worldwide. This has evolved from a position of challenge in the 1980s, when many sports grappled with the drug issue and this led to the senate Drugs in Sport Inquiry in Australia and ultimately the establishment of the World Anti-Doping Authority. Since 1991, Powerlifting Australia has maintained a system whereby all lifters are IDed and subject to regular in- and out-of-competition testing by the government agency ASADA. Positive cases are subject to a two year suspension and loss of records back to 1991 (in which year the Australian Record list was started afresh). The result has been now only very rare occurrences of positive drug test results and the development of a genuinely anti-drug culture and a level playing field within Powerlifting Australia. All those who join Powerlifting Australia are required to submit an ID profile and consent to drug testing as part of the registration process. If you require more information on Powerlifting Australia's anti-doping policy please see our page on the website. If you require more information on ASADA, or have any queries about any medication that you may be taking, you can visit the ASADA website or ring the ASADA Drug and Sport Hotline on 1800 020 506 (a confidential, free call service from anywhere in Australia). EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS There are some special supportive equipment that lifters may use for powerlifting. Most of the gear you need are "one off" purchases and if you look after your gear well it will last you a long time. It should be mentioned that support equipment is not essential for powerlifting competition. It gives improved performance but is not required in order to lift. PA advises lifters to compete with no supportive equipment in their first competition. However, the minimal required attire for a powerlifting meet is:
The supportive equipment:
Whilst the minimal equipment required for a competition can be found at a number of sporting equipment suppliers, supportive powerlifting equipment is specialised. Suppliers details are found in the Links section of this website. THE RULES Powerlifting Australia is affiliated with the International Powerlifting Federation and accords to all their rules of competition. The latest rules can be found in the IPF Technical Rules section of this website. All referees at a competition have a rule book with them. Following is a brief outline of the rules governing competition and each individual lift. WEIGH-IN AND EQUIPMENT CHECK A competitor must present to be weighed-in and have their competition equipment inspected by the referees in the weigh-in period that has been nominated for the competition. This time is from 2 hours up to 1/2 hour before the commencement of lifting. At some competitions their is a ballot system to nominate an order of weigh-in. If a lifter fails to "make weight", i.e. doesn't weigh below the weight division that they have entered in, they can come back for a re-weigh as many times as they need up until 1/2 hour before the competition commences. If they still haven't made weight, they would compete in the bodyweight division in which they have actually made weight. During the weigh-in, the lifter's equipment is checked by the referees to make sure it meets the specifications set down in the rules. Once the lifter's equipment is checked, that is the only equipment allowed during the competition, and if any equipment is used by the lifter in the competition, the lifter can be disqualified. When the lifter is weighed-in and getting their gear checked, the referees will give them an Attempt Card. On this card the lifter will write their name, weight, bodyweight division, gender, country, state or club depending on the level of competition, and their first attempts in each of the powerlifts. Other information on the Attempt Card is the height that the lifter wants the rack in the squat section and whether they want the racks "in" or "out" and whether they want a side or centre lift out in the bench press section. THE SQUAT The Squat is first of the three powerlifts carried out in competition. The lifter approaches the bar with in the racks, gripping the bar with both hands, they position themselves under the bar so that the bar rests on their shoulders (upper back). Once they have taken the bar out of the rack and are standing erect, the chief referee will motion downwards with their arm and give the command "squat". The lifter then squats down until the top of their thigh at the hip joint (front) goes below the top of their knee and then stand up with one even motion using the muscles of their legs and lower back. Once the lifter is then standing, the chief referee will motion backwards with their arm and give the command "rack". The lifter then places the bar back in the racks (usually assisted by the platform spotters). Main Causes of Disqualification in the Squat:
THE BENCH PRESS The lifter lays on their back on the bench with their head facing towards the front of the bench. A spotter lifts the bar out for the lifter, who holds it at arms length. When the chief referee feels that the lifter has control of the bar, they give the command "start". The lifter then lowers the bar to the chest, pauses without letting the bar sink into the chest, then the referee will give the "press" signal, upon which, the lifter will use the muscles of the chest, shoulders and triceps to push the bar back into the starting position with arms locked out completely. The chief referee then gives the command "rack" with a backward motion of their arm and the lifter places the bar back in the rack with the assistance of the platform spotters. Main Causes of Disqualification in the Bench Press:
THE DEADLIFT The bar is placed on the platform. The lifter faces the front of the platform, grips the bar, and stand up erect using the muscles of the back and legs until they are standing upright with their shoulders locked back and legs fully straightened. Once they are standing erect, the chief referee then gives the command "down" and motions downward with their arm. The lifter then places the bar back down onto the platform in a controlled manner. Main Causes of Disqualification in the Deadlift:
REFEREES AND THEIR DUTIES Their are three referees/officials at a powerlifting competition. Their duties are to check the lifters' equipment and weigh them in at the start of the competition, and then judge the competitors during their lifts according to the rules of each lift. A majority decision applies in the judging of each lift, so if two or three out of the three referees passes the lift as "good", it is passed and can count towards the lifter's total. COMPETITION Powerlifting Australia conducts competitions throughout the country, at a variety of levels. These range from novice and local gym competitions to regional opens. From these competitions, a lifter can reach a qualifying mark to compete at the Australian Championships, held each year in the last weekend of July. At the completion of the Australian Championships, a team is then selected to represent Australia at the World Championships. Powerlifting Australia also co-ordinates a National Schools Bench Press competition each year throughout Australia, which is growing every year in the number of students competing and also introducing them to another sporting option. Another competition that is organised by Powerlifting Australia is the Oceania Championships, which are held every two years. This involves lifters from such nations as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Nauru, Niue and New Caledonia. This gives local competitors valuable experience at an international level without the need for expensive overseas travel. Click here to see the Powerlifting Australia competition calendar. SAFETY Powerlifters strive to perform the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift with controlled and efficient technique. The result is that injuries are relatively rare in powerlifting. Research supports this proposition, for example, see Auckland University's research report of 2005 (Keogh et al. 2005). The key to good, safe lifting is coaching from a NCAS accredited powerlifting coach. These coaches have completed training programs in powerlifting technique and program prescription and can guide you to achieve your potential. If you want to train for powerlifting competitions, please contact your nearest branch manager who will give you contact information for your nearest coach.
Powerlifting Australia National Office:
The Powerlifting Australia Web Site is maintained
by: Web Design and Layout by: Tim Germanchis ©Copyright 2006 Powerlifting Australia Ltd. |
| Sitemap | Privacy |