WORLD POWERLIFTING NEW WEBSITE UP NOW
World Powerlifting's new website has gone up, with all the latest on events, records and other news in a bright new format. Go to worldpowerlifting.com to catch up.
NO STUPID RULES
The 2026 World Powerlifting Rules Of Competition have been released and these surelystand out amongst others as clear and sensible. Changes as from 1 January include –
- in the Squat fingers must now be around, not just touching, the bar but this rule still excludes the thumb; this follows a number of serious accidents due to the bar rolling forward onto the lifter’s neck
- Referee uniform is simplified to being any dark trousers or skirt plus a WP monogramed white shirt, with red or blue tie -- no jacket; stand by for the release of the official WP referee shirt
- lifter’s shoes must be tied or affixed when on the platform
- lifter apparel rules are essentially unchanged (aside from some clarification on rubber on wrist wraps and grip socks being made legal) but general wording is tightened to ensure strict adherence to apparel items being clean and tidy and official nation uniforms being compulsorily worn by lifters when nominated by their nation
- amputee weigh-in and bench press rules are clarified to be consistent with IPC/WPPO rules.
There are otherwise no changes to Bench Press rules, but World Powerlifting continues to monitor the scourge of zero range benches, with a view to a 2027 rule adjustment.
Below is the 2026 World Powerlifting Rules of Competition. Coming soon will be a revamped WP website and release of our 2026 roster of international events.
View Rulebook at /technical/rules/
OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS PRODUCES RECORDS AT EXPO SYDNEY
130 lifters were squeezed into three days at AusFitness Expo in Sydney and that squad came through with a slew of major results and records.
The audience magnet of the show once again was AI Temaki from Nauru, with his 402kg Squat upping the ante from his 400kg-even in Melbourne last March. 410kg/903lbs came up for AI too, but three reds on depth was the bad news delivered by the referees. When it came to points though fellow Nauruans Dave Mwaredaga with 763kg at 94kg and Dyke Daoe with 720kg at 85kg came out 1st and 2nd in the men’s overall Best Lifter score.
Other international standouts were USA’s Hayden Hagemeier with 572kg at a tiny 61kg bodyweight, the Barber of Lagos Jerry Anonye with 688kg at 94kg and Tongan/Australian Tevita Pongi with 726kg at 120kg.
In the Women’s lifting Australia’s Isabella Thomson continued to struggle back to her former 500kg form with 483kg at 72kg and grabbed Best Lifter here. In the heavier Women a good Total came from Riley Bell-Kainiu of New Zealand but 200 and 201kg Masters Deadlift records from Kelly Jarvie and Elizabeth Tassell were the lifts that set the crowd alight.
Onward and upward will go Oceania’s lifters from here, with the World Championships in Sri Lanka now only two months away.
View Results Page at /events/oceania-championships-2025/
WP REFEREES AT IBSA WORLD CUP
Andreas Kolettis, Courtney Pascoe and Venieri Vasiliki are on stage at the International Blind Sports Association Asian Championships and World Cup.
Most of you will get Visa on Arrival in Nepal. An international participation will never get any easier than this. This is your invitation to make history.
Powerlifters from every corner of Asia, the stage is set, and it's calling your name. Nepal is hosting Asian Powerlifting Championships 2025.
Whether you’re a seasoned champion or a rising contender, this is your chance to represent your country, break records, and stand among the strongest on the continent.
Let’s show the world the true strength of Asia.
Date 📅: 15-17 August, 2025
Location : Kathmandu, Nepal
#RoadtoTheWorlds #AsianPowerliftingChampionship2025
#PowerliftingAsia #StrongerTogether #RoadToVictory #WorldPowerlifting #NYFCNepal #StrengthHasNoBorders
ANNOUNCEMENT RE RIGOR MORTIS KNEE SLEEVES
This is to confirm that Rigor Mortis knee sleeves remain legal in World Powerlifting and all of WP’s affiliates events. The Rigor Mortis model is neoprene and thus within the scope of WP rules and will remain so.
Go to a7.co or contact [email protected] or [email protected] for information and supply details.
