Say before class: I love contact powerlifting and I can do anything.

Powerlifting

(English: powerlifting; power - “
strength, power
” + lifting - “
lifting
”) or
powerlifting
is a strength sport, the essence of which is to overcome the resistance of the weight that is as heavy as possible for the athlete.

Powerlifting is also called powerlifting. This is due to the fact that as competitive disciplines it includes three exercises (squats with a barbell on the back (more precisely on the top of the shoulder blades), bench press on a horizontal bench and barbell row), which together determine the qualifications of the athlete.

These three exercises in bodybuilding are called “basic” or simply “base”, since when they are performed, several joints are involved in the work, and, to one degree or another, almost all muscles. These exercises are recommended for beginning athletes to gain overall muscle mass and develop strength.

In powerlifting, unlike bodybuilding, strength indicators are important, not body beauty. But many famous bodybuilders started with powerlifting, or practiced both sports at the same time - Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, Franco Colombo.

During the performance, the performance of athletes of the same weight category is compared. The assessment is based on the total maximum weight taken in all three exercises. If the indicators are the same, victory is awarded to the athlete with the least weight. When comparing athletes of different weight classes, the Wilkes formula, Glossbrenner formula (WPC-WPO) or Schwartz/Malone formula (NAP-National Powerlifting Association) can be used.

Content

• 1. History
• 2 Current state
• 3 Exercises 3.1 Requirements for performing exercises in the IPF federation: 3.1.1 For squats:
• 3.1.2 By bench press:
• 3.1.3 By traction:

What is equipment powerlifting?

The following equipment is currently allowed in powerlifting:

1. Deadlift suit. 2. T-shirts for deadlifts and squats. 3. Bandages on the wrists and knees. 4. Bench press shirt. 5. Squat suit.

The equipment is designed to protect athletes from injury. However, it was noted that the equipment increases the result in each movement by 5 - 15 kg. That is why the equipment began to be intensively improved. Modern powerlifter equipment gives an increase in results up to 50 kg, and sometimes up to 150 kg, and sometimes more.

The use of equipment, as well as the use of doping, has led to an increase in powerlifting standards in recent years.

Story

Powerlifting originated from exercises that weightlifters used to increase performance in fundamental movements. Initially, the set and order of exercises differed from modern ones - in addition to the now familiar squats, bench press, deadlift, powerlifting included curls with a barbell while standing (biceps curl), sitting, overhead press, etc. These “strange” from the point of view of weightlifting, exercises, at the turn of the 40-50s. XX century gained popularity in the West, competitions began to be held. And in the 50s and 60s, powerlifting in its modern form began to take shape. By the mid-60s, competition rules were determined and national level championships began to be held regularly.

In the late 1950s, Britain had its own form of powerlifting called the "Strength Set", consisting of biceps curls, bench presses and squats, performed in that order. And in 1964, the first unofficial US championship was held (York, Pennsylvania). The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) held its first national championships in 1965, making the bench press, squat and deadlift competitive lifts.

In November 1972, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) was founded, and a year later, in November 1973, the first world championship was held[1]. In 1980, women took part in the World Championships for the first time in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, and in 1989 the IPF combined the men's and women's championships.

In 1986, the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC)[2] was founded; later other alternative international organizations appeared.

The number of international powerlifting organizations is constantly growing, but despite the decentralization that is inherent in world powerlifting, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) remains the most famous and popular. The IPF is the only international powerlifting organization that is a member of the World Games Association and the General Assembly of International Sports Federations. In 2004, after a lengthy process, the IPF received IOC recognition and signed the WADA code; Since 1963, powerlifting has been included in the Paralympic Games program as “weightlifting”, and since 1992 - as powerlifting. There is one type of exercise in the Paralympic program - the bench press without equipment. The number of participating countries is 115; women took part in the 2000 Paralympic Games for the first time.

Examples of Powerlifting Training Programs

Examples of training programs based on the principle of periodization on a weekly cycle, with three workouts per week:

Training program 1

First day:

Second day:

The third day:

As can be seen from the given lesson plans, the working weights depend on the results of driving with maximum weights. This is only a general method of execution; a specific cycle is compiled with the help of an experienced trainer, especially in relation to novice athletes.

Training program 2

Day 1 (pectoral muscles):

Day 2 (back):

Day 3 (quadriceps and calves):

The duration of this training program should not be longer than 3 months. Training takes place three times a week, with the first week the load being 75% of your repeated maximum, which was determined using walking. The second 7 days the work is performed at 80%, and then the load increases by 2.5% with each subsequent week. As already mentioned, after completing the 3-month cycle, this program must be changed by performing the penetration again.

Training program 3

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Classes also take place three times a week. This training program is well suited for beginners in powerlifting. If after performing heavy basic movements there is still strength left, then after them you can add one or two isolating ones to work individual muscles, but you can completely do without using them.

Current state

An athlete warms up at the IPA Press Championships in 2007.
The main discipline in modern powerlifting is triathlon - squat, press and deadlift. The regulations were inherited from weightlifting - in each exercise there are three approaches, if the weight is not submitted even once in the exercise, the athlete is eliminated from the eventing competition, but the judges can allow the athlete to continue fighting for small medals in individual exercises if he conscientiously performed his approaches.

In addition to triathlon, competitions are held in one single movement: the bench press. Almost all federations have developed additional standards for this. Along with the usual bench press of a maximum weight, the multi-repetition bench press is becoming increasingly popular - the folk press (press a barbell with the weight of the athlete himself for times) and the Russian press (press a barbell of a fixed weight for times). In fact, for individuals with musculoskeletal injuries, the bench press is the only strength exercise available

The League of Power Sports holds the “Battle of Champions” tournament, where athletes compete in separate exercises - bench press and deadlift, with 4 approaches in each exercise.

In the USA, Push-Pull biathlon, consisting of bench press and deadlift, is popular.

Deadlift, as a separate discipline, is also gaining popularity; many federations have introduced standards for it.

Within the framework of the NAP and WPA organizations, “powersports” competitions are held, consisting of biceps curls and military presses[3].

Armlifting is a new sport, close in spirit to powerlifting, but, nevertheless, not one. There are two exercises in the armlift: the thick barbell row (“Apollo Axis”) and the “Rolling Thunder” handlebar row.

A large number of federations offer powerlifting of different nature. Competitions according to the WPO or NAP version are more reminiscent of a bright show - huge weights, multi-layered equipment (“spacesuits” and “jacks”, according to opponents of such equipment), athletes are “turned on” with slaps and ammonia. Another powerlifting sport offers IPF, which gives spectators a traditional sporting competition where the rules explicitly prohibit punching athletes in the face and snorting ammonia in front of spectators. By the way, at the Arnold Classic strength sports festival, competitions of alternative federations are more popular among spectators than the IPF tournament.

Anastasia Zinchenko

International powerlifter, bodybuilder and scientist with a PhD in biochemistry. Her best results in the 63 kg weight category are a squat of 115 kg, a bench press of 75 kg and a deadlift of 140 kg.

Anastasia has been a vegan since 2013. Her interest was initially driven by the health and athletic benefits, but she later realized that she did not want to “support and contribute to something that she considers wrong or unnecessary.”

Read more: Anastasia's story .

Exercises

The same exercises as in powerlifting are used in training athletes in many other sports - bodybuilding, weightlifting and athletics, martial arts, etc. But performing competitive exercises on the platform differs from the same exercises in the training process of other athletes.

Requirements for performing exercises in the IPF federation:

• the exercise is performed strictly according to commands and with the permission of the judge; failure to complete the approach is not counted
• double movements are not allowed

For squats:

• there should be sufficient depth in the squat, usually the hip joint should go below the knee
• an athlete is punished for falling a barbell during squats
• starting the exercise and returning the barbell to the racks after completing the exercise only at the command of the judge
• The width of the legs is at the discretion of the athlete
• The position of the barbell on the back is strictly regulated.

By bench press:

• The barbell press occurs in three commands of the judge - “Start” (the barbell is lowered until it touches the athlete’s body), “Press” (served after a visible pause, the length of the pause is at the discretion of the judge), “Racks” (after squeezing the barbell with straight arms, the barbell is commanded the judges return to the stands)
• Touch or bounce presses, pressing the barbell into the chest or abdomen, and bringing the barbell directly to the bottom position instead of straight arms are not considered competitive presses in the IPF sense.
• It is not allowed to lift the heels, change the position of the legs, lift the head, buttocks or shoulder blades from the bench (alternative federations may have less strict rules).
• The width of the grip is at the discretion of the athlete (there must be marks on the bar showing the extreme position of the index fingers), an open palm grip (“monkey” grip) is prohibited.

By traction:

• the method of performing deadlifts is “sumo” or classic, the width of the legs or grip is at the discretion of the athlete;
• supporting the barbell with your hips and using straps are not allowed.
• the shoulders should go beyond the plane of the bar;
• the downward movement of the barbell during shoulder abduction does not count as a double movement;
• The beginning of the lifting of the bar occurs without a command, the lowering onto the platform occurs on a command.

Powerlifting equipment

Powerlifting equipment can be either supportive (reinforcing) or non-supportive. The latter is mandatory in all official competitions and is allowed in “unequipped” and “equipped” powerlifting without restrictions. Mandatory ones include:

• wide powerlifting belt or weightlifting belt;
• elastic tights (“wrestling”);
• soft T-shirt with sleeves (“T-shirt”);
• long socks, shin guards or gaiters to protect your legs while deadlifting.

Additionally allowed:

• weightlifting bars or special shoes for squats;
• slippers or special shoes for traction;
• soft neoprene knee pads;
• weightlifting wristbands instead of wrist wraps.

Typically, the term “equipment” refers specifically to supporting equipment.

Putting on a bench shirt

Currently, the following support equipment is used in powerlifting[4]:

• bandages for knees and wrists;
• bench press shirt;
• T-shirt for squats and deadlifts;
• squat suit;
• deadlift suit;
• some others.

Supportive equipment in powerlifting appeared to protect against injury, and due to the rigidity of the fabric, it gave an increase of 5-15 kg in each movement. However, in recent years, manufacturers of powerlifting equipment have improved their products so much that the average increase in each exercise has reached 50 kg, and the maximum reaches 150, in some cases even more. For example, Ryan Kennelly pressed 487.6 kg in multi-layer equipment, and 294.8 kg without equipment; Andrey Malanichev squatted 475 kg in bandages alone, 485 kg in single-layer equipment[5], and Vladimir Blinkov squatted 502.5 kg in multi-layer equipment, briefs and an erector shirt, and 400 kg in bandages alone.

The total contribution of equipment to the eventing total can be assessed by the following figures: for 2020, the equipment world record (IPF) is 1272.5 kg in the 120+ kg category, set by Blaine Sumner in 2020; and the bare-metal IPF(!!!) world record in the same category is 1105 kg and was set by Ray Williamson in 2020[6].

Absolute records in powerlifting, recorded within any of the federations or at other official events for all times for 2020:

According to the records, it is worth adding that the result is influenced not only by the equipment itself, but also by less strict rules for performing the exercise outside the IPF.

Under IPF, only single-layer clothing (one layer of fabric) is allowed. The issue of the admissibility of using one or another element of equipment from a particular manufacturer is decided by the federation (IPF)[7].

It is worth noting that the use of equipment only at first glance seems like a kind of relaxation or deception. Serious use of equipment is associated with significant pain and microtrauma to the skin and muscles: squat suits pinch the legs quite strongly, bandages on the knees cut the skin.

At the same time, the influence of equipment on deadlifting is quite controversial, since unequipped deadlift records are comparable to or even superior to equipped ones. In general, deadlift equipment helps athletes with strong hands and relatively weak backs. On the other hand, the result in the deadlift is influenced by the stiffness of the bar; the softer it is, the more it bends, the shorter the distance in the heaviest part of the movement. If in the IPF the bars are hard and regulated, then in other federations soft bars may be allowed.

Supportive equipment is not mandatory in “equipped” powerlifting. An athlete can go on the platform in a regular wrestling tights, which happens quite often in the deadlift. Although in the bench press and squats, the use of equipment gives the athlete an undeniable advantage, so separate divisions have been created for athletes without equipment. The same is true for single-layer and multi-layer equipment - the use of equipment with fewer layers is not prohibited.

Most athletes who use equipment note that the technique of performing exercises with and without equipment is noticeably different. Given this fact, it is much more appropriate to talk about two closely related sports - equipped and unequipped powerlifting. Many “equipped” powerlifters have little idea of ​​their possible maximum results in unequipped movements. Some athletes, for example, Sergei Fedosienko or Blaine Sumner, perform equally successfully both with and without equipment. Others, like Andrey Konovalov or Karl Ignvar Christensen, specialize only in equipped powerlifting.

Interview with Anton Solodov for the page “I love powerlifting” (Ruslan Fursov)

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I love powerlifting: Hi Anton, how old were you when you started training?

Anton Solodov: Hello, before powerlifting there was also hockey in my life. I became interested in powerlifting in 2000, when I was 15 years old. I remember that I started with 50 kilograms in the bench press for two times. And I started thinking about competitions only after two years of training; my weight then grew to 93 kg. I squatted 235 kilograms, bench pressed 130 kilograms and deadlifted 235 kilograms. The equipment was weak then, a “Champion” suit and an Inzer HD T-shirt

I love powerlifting: What motivated you to continue training?

Anton Solodov: Senior comrades motivated me! Looking at them, I trained even more intensely!

I love powerlifting: Who are these teammates? Are there anyone who has achieved the same solid success as you?

Anton Solodov: Yes, of course! Vova Grishaev - MSMK, World champion in bench press. Natasha Zotova - ZMS, legendary athlete. Andrey Laikhinen - European bronze medalist

I love powerlifting: Who was the coach?

Anton Solodov: I always had one coach - Stanislav Vladimirovich Dernov, he trained many masters of sports and international athletes. For the last six years I have been training on my own, tweaking old plans. I have more experience now, I know better what I need to work on.

I love powerlifting: Do you have your own students?

Anton Solodov: Yes, there are such people :) I have trained ten masters of sports, Russian champions in the bench press, and two of my people lift the MSM - this is Sergey Melekhin in the 83rd category and Sergey Kondakov in the 93rd category. And both guys gave up control! And also, Konstantin Lesukov is a Russian bronze medalist in the bench press, Yura Drachev is a champion and bronze medalist in the bench press.

I love powerlifting: Tell me about your training?

Anton Solodov: On Monday I have a competitive squat, a competitive bench press and an auxiliary. Wednesday is deadlift day, assisted back and deadlifts. Friday - Pit deadlifts, board presses and various other exercises that support the bench press. And of course, abs :)

I love powerlifting: Do you push yourself to the max in training?

Anton Solodov: I always do 90%, and then according to my well-being and mood.

I love powerlifting: You said that you competed in the first competitions in equipment. What is your attitude towards equipment?

Anton Solodov: In principle, calm. If it's single-layer equipment!). Quite normal, as in all sports

I love powerlifting: What can you say about multi-layered equipment?

Anton Solodov: Honestly, I’ll tell you, not very much. It distorts the technique too much; rather, lifting the weight gets in the way. And from the outside it looks somehow unnatural!

I love powerlifting: What do you think about American records in the squat?

Anton Solodov: Sharply negative!!! Donnie Thompson is a parody. Bolton is still tolerable :)

I love powerlifting: Okay, back to you. How did you gain such impressive weight? You said at the beginning that you weighed 93 kilograms, then if you look at the protocols, your weight was around 115 kilograms for a long time. Did you deliberately intend to increase your weight to 150 kilograms?

Anton Solodov: Somehow I didn’t even think about it. I trained and that's it. I competed in the 125 category for a long time, and then gained strength because I had a serious injury. I got sick in my chest while preparing for the 2006 Russian Junior Championships in Biysk, suffered, but broke Maxim Guryanov’s record of 400.5 kilograms in the squat. Won! But they literally carried me to the deadlift, I pulled 347.5 kilograms and my back couldn’t stand it. I came home, took pictures, and there was a fracture. I started preparing for the European Junior Championships, but my back was badly damaged and I gave up on this idea!

I love powerlifting: Why did you decide to compete at the Titans?

Anton Solodov: I was preparing for the World Juniors in South Africa, it was my first time at the training camp (and the only one, unfortunately). But they found nandrolone on me during pre-departure control, although they had checked it in Russia a couple of months before - there was nothing! There is still no confirmation of the fact! They sent me home. It’s clear that I wasn’t in the mood at all. For the third time I did not make it to international competitions. I haven't trained for a while. And then I decided to start over. I was preparing for White Nights, where Vasily Ivanovich Muminov invited me to perform. I agreed and then showed 420 kilograms in the squat, 275 in the bench press and 340 in the deadlift.

I love powerlifting: What was your most memorable Titan Cup?

Anton Solodov: The last one. I was ready then better than anything in my life. But two weeks before the start, I miscalculated and tore my latissimus muscle.

I love powerlifting: Do you want to return to IPF?

Anton Solodov: I would like to perform in Russia for men. I won the juniors, now I just have to win the seniors. And I want to break the squat record!

I love powerlifting: Will you still compete at the Titans?

Anton Solodov: We'll wait and see. I am a creative person - I love freedom!

Author: Fursov Ruslan

Similar

Doping in powerlifting

The influence of doping, or rather the lack of doping control, on powerlifting is somewhat exaggerated. So, in 2013, at the Super Cup of Titans, Evgeniy Yarymbash, according to the IPF rules, but without doping control, collected a triathlon amount of 1200 kg, in May 2014 at the EPF European Championship, Karl Ingvar Christensen showed the same amount, and already in the fall of 2014 - 1230 kg at World Championship. In the same year, Andrei Konovalov gained 1190 kg at the Russian Championship.

In 2014, at the Titans Super Cup, Denis Odintsov from SHT squatted 485 kg, and at the EPF European Championship, Carl Ingvar Christensen showed the same result in May of the same year, and in the fall he surpassed it - 490 kg.

According to the famous powerlifter and strongman Alexei Serebryakov, without the use of prohibited drugs, you can lift almost the same weights, but the risk of injury during the preparation period greatly increases [8].

Equipment in powerlifting

• The IPF uses certified powerlifting bars, alternative federations may use specially designed bars for individual exercises;

• a set of discs (it is recommended to use non-rubber discs, which are thinner than conventional rubber-coated ones from weightlifting, since for a high-class athlete the required weight from rubber-coated discs may not fit on the bar). The diameter should not exceed 45 cm;

• racks for bench press and squats (can be either separate or universal). In alternative federations, the Monolift device may be used;

• platform for deadlifts.

At what age can you start powerlifting?

When you see handsome and pumped up guys in the pictures of their magazines, on the Internet, or in gyms, do not rush to rejoice at it and expect the same result after a month of your training. Many of these “strong and tall” people have been training for ten to fifteen years.

At what age can you start powerlifting?

On their way to success, they managed to go through many trials, errors, failures and only then get such a result. Experienced athletes have their own special techniques and programs. If you are a beginner, then you should not use the champions’ technique. You will not be able to achieve the same results without harming your health.

Powerlifting and the Olympic Movement

The large number of federations and regulations makes it virtually impossible for powerlifting to be included in the Olympic Games. However, powerlifting is part of the World Games, held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), through holding international competitions, seeks to standardize them and include powerlifting in the Olympic Games.

In 2004, after a lengthy process, the IPF received recognition from the IOC. In accordance with the anti-doping policy pursued by the IOC, the IPF has signed the WADA code. These steps, according to experts, are ongoing measures towards the recognition of powerlifting as an Olympic sport. As of 2013, 108 countries around the world became members of the IPF.

Maayan Eliasi

Maayan Eliasi is a professional Israeli bodybuilder who has won prizes in many national and international competitions.

“My favorite is definitely 1st place in the WNBF Championship because it drug tests all athletes so we all present clean bodies to the public,” says Maayan. “Knowing that I won without doping and being vegan has helped me inspire more athletes to go vegan.”

"I'm a strict vegan, my diet has been entirely plant-based for the last six years," she said in 2020. “Many people do not know that some of the meat sold in Israel is the flesh of animals that were transported across continents and seas, as so-called “live cargo,” only to be fattened and killed in Israel. In 2017, the number of victims of transport to Israel reached 499,265 calves and sheep. I hope we see an end to this practice soon."

Read more: history of Maayan .

Federation

The number of international powerlifting organizations is constantly growing. But, despite the decentralization that is inherent in world powerlifting, the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) remains the most famous and popular. The IPF is considered the only international organization in powerlifting that is a member of the World Games Association and the General Assembly of International Sports Federations. All other organizations that are called “international” are not recognized by the world's leading sports organizations, so their status remains uncertain from the point of view of world sports practice.

Squats

In alternative powerlifting federations, not only multi-layered equipment and long-length bandages are allowed, but also other concessions are used to increase the mass lifted. For example, it is allowed to wear briefs under your squatting overalls and use open-back press shirts. There are also relaxations in the equipment - squats can be performed from the “Monolift” (the athlete does not need to move away with the barbell), flexible bars are used for deadlifts (the amplitude is reduced). There are also relaxations in the area of ​​rules - squats can only be performed up to parallel, when pressing, incomplete contact of the foot with the surface is possible, etc. The degree of strictness of competition regulations varies from federation to federation [9][10][11].

At the same time, there are federations or divisions within federations for raw powerlifting, the so-called. RAW, where, in some cases, even soft medical knee bandages are not allowed.

Doping control in alternative federations is voluntary. There are both “doping-free” divisions, where there is doping control, and “regular” ones. Within the WPC organization there is a division AWPC (short for Amateur) for competitions with doping control. A similar division within the WPA is called AWPA (Drug Tested), in the National Powerlifting Association - AMATEURS. Recently, such a division has been used - divisions with doping control are called “amateur”, without control - “professional”. The list of prohibited drugs is not from WADA, but its own. There are practically no sanctions applied to athletes from the “doping-free” division who have not passed doping control; the usual practice is to disqualify them from the “doping-free” division and automatically transfer them to the “regular” division[12].

In Russia, the Russian Powerlifting Federation, part of the IPF, is accredited by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation. Competitions held by the FPR are held according to the regulations of the IPF, which is considered the most stringent of all federations, and with mandatory doping control. The Russian Powerlifting Federation has the right to assign official sports titles. Alternative federations can also assign sports titles, but they are not recognized in Russia. Initially, the IPF held competitions only in equipped powerlifting, but in recent years, in the wake of interest in bare-metal powerlifting, it began to hold competitions in this type of sport, calling it “classical powerlifting.” The FPR standards exist only for the equipped variety; for the non-equipped variety they are under development and only up to the level of the CMS. From January 1, 2020, the FPR introduced standards for classical powerlifting, as well as for the equipped bench press.

Athletes from the FPR, if they compete in competitions of an alternative federation, are disqualified (the first time - for a year, the second - for life[13]).

Powerlifting records

Due to the abundance of federations in powerlifting, there is confusion with records.

• Only records of the IPF and national federations that are members of the IPF are officially recognized. The IPF does not recognize records set outside of official competitions in any way, even under IPF rules.

• each alternative federation has its own records at all levels - national, continental and world; these records may or may not exceed the IPF records. A clarification should be applied - “the World record according to such and such a federation.” There are situations when, when a new federation is launched, the Russian record of this federation is comparable to the KMS standard of the same federation. Agreements on mutual recognition of records may be concluded between federations. Accordingly, each federation has world, continental and country champions in its own version. If a federation fails to attract strong athletes to its competitions, then a situation is possible when the “world champion” shows a result at the MS FPR level or lower.

• third-party observers, based on federation records, can deduce the so-called. “all-time” records - records of all times and all federations. To do this, the conditions for setting records must be comparable in different federations - weight category, equipment, doping control, rules of execution and type of competition (eventing or single exercise). These records are better known than those of individual federations.

International federations

• International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) is the oldest and most authoritative international federation, founded in 1973. European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) is the European division of the IPF, founded in 1974.
• North American Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) - North American division of the IPF

- no doping control - use of Monolift is allowed - multi-layer equipment, including canvas and denim; open back bench shirts; overalls with Velcro; knee bandages up to 2.5 m; briefs are allowed (reinforcing shorts made of rigid fabric, worn under overalls) - the bare-knuckle division appeared much earlier - specialized bars for exercises

• American Powerlifting Federation (APF) - founded in 1982 by Larry Pacifico and Ernie Frantz for American athletes who were unhappy with the introduction of doping controls in the IPF that year. I am categorically against any type of doping control.
• World Powerlifting Organization is a division within the WPC for competitions among professional athletes. It is distinguished by a complete lack of doping control, non-standard equipment (even by WPC standards) and large cash prizes.
• AWPC - Amateur World Powerlifting Congress, a division of the WPC for competitions with doping control, created in 1999.
• AAPF - Amateur American Powerlifting Federation, APF division for competitions with doping control

Russian Federations

• FPR - Russian Powerlifting Federation (IPF representative)
• OPR - Russian Powerlifting Organization (representative of AWPC/WPC; WPA/WPA-A; GPC; WPU; WPF), conducts competitions according to the version of one or another federation.
• ASM Vityaz - Association of all-around strength sports "Vityaz", founded in 2013 on the basis of WPA-Russia
• RDFPF
• NAP - National Powerlifting Association, also a representative of the XPC
• Russian Powerlifters Union (representative of GPA/IPO; IPL; WRPF)

Ukrainian federations

• FPU, National Powerlifting Federation of Ukraine, FPU - IPF
• GP, All-Ukrainian Powerlifting Organization - IPA
• UPC, Ukrainian Powerlifting Committee
• Ukrainian Doping-Free Airlifting Federation, UBFP - UDFPF
• AWPC-WPC - Ukraine
• GPA-GPF - Ukraine
• RAW 100% - Ukraine
• GPU
• WPAU

Kazakhstan federations

• Kazakhstan Powerlifting Federation (KPF)
• Almaty Powerlifting Center Centurion Federation WPC/AWPC
• Kokshetau Powerlifting Center Burabay Federation IPF
• NAP-Kazakhstan - National Powerlifting Association in Kazakhstan

Kirill Sarychev: For me, powerlifting is not a business, it’s for the soul

The host of the “Another You” column, Valikhan Ten, is visiting the legendary Russian powerlifter Kirill Sarychev, nicknamed the Russian Giant.

Kirill is the President of the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF), an international master of sports in powerlifting and bench press. Absolute record holder in Russia, Europe and the world in bench press without equipment (in heavyweight - 335 kilograms) and powerlifting (1100 kilograms). His height is 197 centimeters, body weight is 160-176 kilograms, competition weight is 160 kilograms.

— Kirill, tell us how WRPF appeared and why its success is visible today in every part of the world?

- This is probably that rare case when we, as they say, got into trouble. In a good sense of the word. There were people with the right vision of what our sport should be. After all, the main thing that powerlifting lacked was media attention, mass coverage. It was with this understanding that we created the federation in 2014. I remember that I spent three whole months writing a development strategy: what we should achieve. And today I can say: almost everything has been accomplished.

— I remember the moment when the creators of this sport from the United States were amazed at how brightly tournaments are held in Russia, which can be compared with the performances of pop stars on the level of Michael Jackson: a live orchestra, amazing music, the most titled athletes. The competition immediately became a platform for discovering new heroes. At the same time, a turning point came in the behavior of accredited federations, which had previously been hostile to the alternative, but are now actively cooperating with the WRPF.

— I have never divided Russian powerlifting into federations. Why fight? Our sport is one big family. We are all doing the same thing - trying to show the limits of human capabilities. Our sport is as objective as possible: you lifted the weight or you didn’t lift it. All! There are no subjective assessments here. Therefore, when other federations approach me with a request, for example, to provide equipment, I say: “Yes, please, take as much as you need!” Without any money, let’s just develop sports, because this will make the entire fitness industry grow.

— Your ability to organize all this, your vision of where to go - when did it all appear?

— I have already said that I spent three months writing a development strategy. But he didn’t just write, but analyzed the past: his sad experience of performing in various small cities, from competitions of 30 people to the World Championships. I remembered the attitude of the functionaries towards me, their bias, because they needed to promote some of their own stars, and vice versa for me. And all this experience, most of it negative, showed what needs to be done. You can’t, as before, focus on just one powerlifting star. This is where the idea of ​​mass production came from. There are few heroes in our sport, 3-4 names. There are not enough personalities - sort of “McGregors of powerlifting”. Therefore, our most important concern is to raise talented children, and our old people, including me, need to be replaced. There must be a new strong generation.

— Did it take you a long time to persuade the management of World Class in Moscow to cooperate, or did they immediately understand that powerlifting is a great platform for attracting new clients?

“Two opposing factors came together: on the one hand, we became too noticeable, on the other, a lot of World Class clients had previously been involved in powerlifting and competed in competitions. So we found a common language, and since then we have been working in friendship, in a single impulse, without any commercial basis - World Class helps us, we help it. Even now, during quarantine, guys call and say: “We have switched to online. Kirill, support me - tell me that we have an online school.” I'm helping. In general, we live like brothers.

— Do you have a powerlifting corner at home now during self-isolation?

- Yes, everything is minimal, home-style. A platform, a bench press rack, a bench, some iron, an arm wrestling table, a massage table. There is everything for the squat, everything for the bench press, there is a cardio track. Therefore, I haven’t lost my routine, I’m keeping at the same pace.

— What are your predictions for how quickly powerlifting will gain momentum again after quarantine?

“I really hope that everything will be fine by winter.” We are now planning events in August, but I am not sure that everyone, including the organizers, will have time to prepare for them. So we will be flexible - we will reduce the entry fee. Even if this is a financial disadvantage for the event, I’m not used to it; I’ve been working at a disadvantage for 5 years now. The main thing that the audience should understand: for me, powerlifting is not a business, it’s for the soul, it’s my sport. And the fact that I hold tournaments at the most expensive venues in Moscow, there are always invited stars performing at them, and there is always a solid prize fund - this, alas, will be appreciated later.

— You have always been famous for your seemingly crazy and impossible ideas. Is there anything new?

- No problem at all. The ideas that I will voice – go and try to implement them! I really hope that by the summer the quarantine will be lifted, the halls will open, the industry will begin to revive, and the main events in August will be those that we have planned in Moscow’s Sokolniki Park. This is a huge pavilion of 3,000 square meters, and on the contrary there is an area of ​​12,000 square meters with good coverage. There we intend to hold an open event under the working title “People against Machines.” There will be a Russian drift series, an awesome show, and a Russian car museum. And inside we will have the European Championship - a tough fight against the titans of sports with a good prize fund.

— I would like you to address our readers in such a difficult period for everyone, so that you convey to us part of your soul, your warmth.

- Of course, our countries are fraternal, they have been very warm and have been friends for a long time, so I will say this: you are our dear friends and brothers! I want to wish you good health. Take care of yourself, take care of your loved ones. We all need to wait it out calmly without breaking into hysteria. Now is the best time to take care of yourself. For example, I am engaged in self-education, I have mastered English, I read books in English, I watch TV series with English subtitles. In a word, I try to develop in every possible way so that later, when I get out of quarantine, I can be an even more educated person. Therefore, keep yourself busy as much as possible, maybe even learn new professions, and everything will be fine! I hug you all, let’s hold on, friends!

Sports titles

In the FPR, as an official organization, official titles and categories are assigned - 3, 2, 1 categories, CMS, MS, MSMK, ZMS. The title is awarded by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation.

Russian alternative federations have a similar rank system, but above the MSMK the title of “Elite” is added. In NAP, since 2020, between the title of MSMK and Elite, the title of ZMS has appeared. At the same time, the standards in the NAP, except for the Elite, have an age gradient - with age (after 40 years, in 5-year increments), the standard for obtaining the title becomes lower. These titles should be distinguished from the official ones; usually there is a postscript - “Master of Sports of such and such a federation” and they do not have an official status. The standards do not coincide with the FPR standards.

In foreign federations, a different system of ranks has been adopted - 4, 3, 2, 1 classes, Master, Elite.

Weight categories

IPF/FPR[15]

WPC/AWPC and other alternative Federations[17]

Notes

Notes Footnotes

1. The history of the International Powerlifting Federation
2. Powerlifting Watch: World Powerlifting Congress
3. Powersports Regulations WPA-Russia
4. International Powerlifting Federation IPF: Approved List
5. Allpowerlifting.com website database
6. IPF records
7. Technical rules
8. Alexey Serebryakov answers Koklyaev’s questions
9. WPC Rules
10. WPA Rules
11. FPR Rules 2013
12. “About doping control in the Russian branch of AWPC”
13. Ivanova Zh.
    New age of powerlifting (Russian) // Iron World: magazine. - 2008. - No. 3. - P. 122-124.
14. USA Powerlifting Mississippi About Us. www.usapowerliftingms.org. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
15. Weight categories FPR - Powerlifting-NN. Retrieved April 10, 2013. Archived April 14, 2013.
16. Only for boys and juniors
17. WPC weight categories. Retrieved April 10, 2013. Archived April 14, 2013.