Qualifying for the IPF World Championship is something not many people can achieve and is a mark of elite performance within the sport.
If you compete in IPF Worlds you not only represent yourself, but you represent your country and that can be very patriotic.
Qualifying for IPF World’s will depend on what country you live in.
So in this article, I’ll cover…
For more information on competing, check out our guide to How To Start Powerlifting.
Qualifying For IPF World's If You're A USA Powerlifter
Here are 8 steps to qualifying for IPF worlds, if you are a USAPL competitor.’’
1. Obtain USAPL Membership
You will first need to purchase an annual membership to the USA Powerlifting federation. This is mandatory in order to be able to compete in any competition that is sanctioned under the federation
2. Compete in a USAPL Sanctioned Meet
You will need to compete in a local or regional competition that is sanctioned by the USA Powerlifting federation. This competition needs to be appropriate to style whether it is equipped, classic, equipped bench press, or classic bench press.
3. Achieve National Qualifying Total
Your performance at this local or regional competition must reach the qualifying total standard for the age and weight class, which is the combined result of your squat, bench press, and deadlift. For more information, check out the qualifying totals here.
4. Compete At USAPL National Championships
You will need to then compete in the appropriate USAPL National Championships that happens annually.
5. Meet The National Team Specific Criteria
At the appropriate USAPL National Championships, you need to achieve their specific criteria for being considered for joining the national team to compete at IPF Worlds. The criteria are either to achieve the highest total in your age and weight class or a minimum total. For more information, check out the qualifying criteria and team selection.
6. Pass Drug Test
You will also need to be drug-free throughout your participation and pass the drug test if you do get drug tested.
7. Become Nominated for National Team
You will then need to be nominated by USA Powerlifting to be selected on the team. Meeting the national team-specific criteria does not guarantee you a nomination on the team.
8. Pay The National Team Fee
If you do get nominated, there will be a fee payable to USA Powerlifting in order to finalize your position on the national team.
For more information on qualifying for IPF World’s as a USA Powerlifter, check out the USAPL Website.
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Qualifying For IPF World's If You're A Canadian Powerlifter
Here are 9 steps to qualifying for IPF worlds, if you are a CPU competitor.
1. Obtain CPU Membership
You will first need to purchase an annual membership to the Canadian Powerlifting Union federation. This is mandatory in order to be able to compete in any competition that is sanctioned under the federation.
2. Complete True Sport Course
You will also need to have an up-to-date True Sport Course, which is an online annual education module intended to cultivate the culture of drug-free participation in powerlifting.
3. Compete At CPU Sanctioned Meet
You will need to compete in a local or regional competition that is sanctioned by the CPU federation. This competition needs to be appropriate to style whether it is equipped, classic, equipped bench press, or classic bench press.
4. Obtain Qualifying Total
Your performance at this local or regional competition must reach the qualifying total standard for the age and weight class, which is the combined result of your squat, bench press, and deadlift. For more information, check out the qualifying totals here.
5. Compete At CPU National Championships
You will need to then compete in the appropriate CPU National Championships that happens annually. The qualifying total that you achieve will be valid within 24 months leading up to the CPU National Championships.
6. Compete At National Team Specific Criteria
At the appropriate CPU National Championships, you need to achieve their specific criteria for being considered for joining the national team to compete at IPF Worlds. First-place finishers will secure a spot on the national team.
The rest of the team will be chosen in the order of second-place finishers in descending IPF Formula order, and then third-place finishers in descending IPF Formula order.
This process is continued until a full team is established. The final team will be selected in accordance with the CPU bylaws and policies by the federation itself.
7. Pass Drug Test
You will also need to be drug-free throughout your participation and pass the drug test if you do get drug tested.
8. Complete IPF World Championship Application
You will need to apply to attend one of the IPF World Championships online at least 90 days before the event. If you are accepted, you will be informed and requested to contribute a fee towards the federation.
For more information on qualifying for IPF World’s as a Canadian Powerlifter, check out the CPU Website.
Qualifying For IPF World's If You're A Great Britain Powerlifter
Here are 6 steps to qualifying for IPF worlds, if you are a British Powerlifting competitor.
1. Obtain British Powerlifting Membership
You will first need to purchase an annual membership to British Powerlifting. This is mandatory in order to be able to compete in any competition that is sanctioned under the federation
2. Compete AT IPF or British Powerlifting Sanctioned Meet
You will need to compete in a regional competition that is sanctioned by the British Powerlifting or have competed in an IPF sanctioned international competition 12 months prior to the British National Championships. This competition needs to be appropriate to style whether it is equipped, classic, equipped bench press, or classic bench press.
3. Obtain Qualifying Total
Your performance at this local or regional competition must reach the qualifying total standard for the age and weight class, which is the combined result of your squat, bench press, and deadlift. For more information, check out the qualifying totals here.
4. Compete AT British National Championships
You will need to then compete in the appropriate British National Championships that happens annually. Not winning but placing high in competition can still lend you to being able picked for the national team.
5. Pass Drug Test
You will also need to be drug-free throughout your participation and pass the drug test if you do get drug tested.
6. Attend Team Squad Session
The head coach will organize a team squad session inviting individuals based on performance at the National Championships. The squad sessions allow athletes to demonstrate their performance once more to be selected for representing Team GB at IPF Worlds. Once the head coaches and selection committee have decided, they will invite you to participate at IPF Worlds.
While you can compete at the World level for powerlifting, powerlifting is not an Olympic sport. Read my article on Why Powerlifting Is Not In The Olympics.
Other Powerlifting Resources
- How Much Does Powerlifting Cost?
- How Long Are Powerlifting Meets?
- Can You Make Money In Powerlifting?
- Are Powerlifting Meets Drug Tested?
- What Should You Bring To A Powerlifting Meet?
- USAPL vs USPA: What Are The Differences?
- What To Eat During A Powerlifting Meet?
- How To Pick Your Weight Class For Powerlifting?
- How Strong Do You Need To Be At Your First Meet?
- How Is Powerlifting Scored?
- IPF & USAPL Approved Competition Gear
- How To Find Powerlifting Meets
- How Do Powerlifting Meets Work?
- How To Pick Attempts For Powerlifting?
References
https://www.usapowerlifting.com/how-to-compete-on-an-international-team/
https://coaching.usapowerlifting.com/international-team-selection-process-qualifying-criteria/
https://www.powerlifting.ca/cpu/index.php/athletes/international-competition-info/international-qualification
https://www.powerlifting.ca/cpu/index.php/anti-doping/true-sport-clean-e-learning
https://www.powerlifting.ca/cpu/index.php/athletes/qualifying-standards
About The Author: Norman Cheung ASCC, British Powerlifting Team Coach
Norman Cheung is a powerlifting and accredited strength and conditioning coach under the UKSCA. He has been coaching powerlifting since 2012 and has been an IPF Team GB coach since 2016. He has experience coaching various lifters, from novices to international medallists and international university teams. Alongside coaching, he takes an interest in helping powerlifters take their first step into coaching. He currently runs his coaching services at strongambitionscoaching.com.
