Powerlifting

Powerlifting is a strength sport where competitors get three tries to lift as much weight as possible in the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Each attempt involves a single maximal lift of a barbell loaded with plates, similar to Olympic weightlifting. The sport grew out of "odd lifts," an earlier format that used the same three-attempt structure but included a wider range of events, more like strongman competitions. Over time, odd lifts were narrowed down to the three lifts used today.

In competition, athletes can lift either equipped or unequipped—often called "classic" or "raw" lifting, especially in the IPF. Equipment here means supportive gear like a bench shirt or a squat or deadlift suit or briefs. Some federations allow knee wraps in equipped divisions but not in unequipped ones; others permit them in both. Items like weightlifting belts, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and special footwear are also common but don't count when distinguishing equipped from unequipped lifting.

Powerlifting competitions happen worldwide. Since 1984, it has been a Paralympic sport, though only the bench press is contested there. Under the IPF, it is also a World Games sport. Many other federations, operating independently of the IPF, also run local, national, and international events.

**History**

**Early history** The roots of powerlifting go back to ancient strength traditions, including those of the Maya and ancient Persians. The idea of lifting stones to prove strength and manhood originated in ancient Greece. The modern sport began in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1950s. Before that, weightlifting governing bodies in both countries recognized various "odd lifts" for competition and records. In the 1950s, Olympic weightlifting lost popularity in the U.S., while strength sports gained followers. People disliked the Olympic lifts—the clean and press, snatch, and clean and jerk. In 1958, the AAU's National Weightlifting Committee decided to start recognizing records for odd lifts. The first national competition took place in September 1964, organized by the York Barbell Company. Its owner, Bob Hoffman, had long opposed the sport, but his company began making powerlifting equipment to offset lost sales from Olympic gear.

In the late 1950s, Hoffman's influence on Olympic lifting and his magazine *Strength and Health* faced growing competition from Joe Weider's organization. To counter this, Hoffman launched another magazine, *Muscular Development*, edited by John Grimek, which focused on bodybuilding and the rising interest in odd lift competitions. Through the late 1950s and early 1960s, odd lift events gradually became the specific lifts of bench press, squat, and deadlift, performed in that order. Hoffman became increasingly influential in the sport's development and organized the Weightlifting Tournament of America in 1964—effectively the first U.S. national championships. The first official U.S. National Championships followed in 1965. Around the same time, lifting in Britain was divided. In the late 1950s, because BAWLA (the British Amateur Weight Lifters' Association) focused only on Olympic lifting, a breakaway group called the Society of Amateur Weightlifters formed to serve lifters uninterested in Olympic lifting.

Though 42 lifts were recognized at the time, the "Strength Set"—biceps curl, bench press, and squat—soon became the standard competition lifts. Both organizations held championships on these lifts (and on Olympic lifts) until 1965. In 1966, the Society of Amateur Weightlifters rejoined BAWLA. The biceps curl was then replaced with the deadlift to match the American lifts. The first British Championship was held in 1966. Through the late 1960s and early 1970s, various international contests took place. Also, each year in early November, a prestigious lifting contest was held to commemorate Hoffman's birthday. In 1971, this event was designated the "World Weightlifting Championships." It started at 10 AM on November 6, 1971, in York, Pennsylvania. Most athletes were American, as teams had not yet formed. Four British athletes and one from Jamaica also competed. All referees were American. Weights were in pounds. The lifting order was "rising bar," and the first lift was the bench press. No bench shirts or squat suits existed, and rules on knee wrap use and belt length varied. The IPF rules system and world records had not yet been established.

In 1972, the second AAU World Championships were held on November 10 and 11. Eight athletes came from Great Britain, six from Canada, six from Puerto Rico, three from Zambia, and one from the West Indies. Of the 67 total lifters, 47 were American. Lifts were still measured in pounds, and the bench press was the first lift.

**IPF and after** The International Powerlifting Federation was founded in November 1972. The first IPF World Championships took place in York in November 1973, with 47 entrants: one from Sweden, one from Puerto Rico, two from Canada, one from the West Indies, eight from Britain, and 34 from the United States. In 1974, teams were selected in advance for the first time, and the 52-kilogram weight class was added.