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the power lifts. |
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Distinct from weightlifting,
a sport made up of two lifts: the Snatch
and the Clean-and-Jerk, where the weight
is lifted above the head, powerlifting
comprises three lifts: the Squat,
Bench Press and Deadlift.
Athletes are categorized by sex,
age and bodyweight. Men compete in eleven
weight categories ranging from 52 kg
(114 lb.) to 125+ kg (275+ lb.). Masters
age divisions begin at 40 years of age
or older and are organized in five-year
increments (40-44, 45-49, 50-54, etc.).
A lot number is assigned to each lifter
prior to the official weigh-in, which
determines the weigh-in and lifting
order. The athletes are called upon
individually by a speaker to perform
the attempts and they have 60 seconds
(or 3 minutes, if following themselves)
to start the lift. The barbell is loaded
progressively and attempts are taken
by the lifters in the order of the progression
of the weight and their lot number.
Three referees judge each lift and give
a decision, white for a “good
lift” and red for “no lift”
with a majority decision.
First, the Squat is contested and once
all attempts are completed, lifters
will perform in the Bench Press, and
conclude with the Deadlift. There is
a 10 minute break between each lifting
discipline so the platform may be prepared
for the next lift. Each competitor is
allowed three attempts at each lift,
the best lift in each discipline being
added to their total. The lifter with
the highest total is the winner. In
cases where two or more lifters achieve
the same total, the person with the
lightest bodyweight wins. If by chance
the bodyweight and the result are the
same, the athlete which performs the
result first receives the higher ranking.
If a lifter fails to complete at least
one good lift in either the Squat, Bench
Press or the Deadlift, this is considered
a “bomb out” and the lifter
receives zero in the Total and is disqualified
from the competition.
Learn more about the sport of powerlifting
on the USA Powerlifting website >>
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