Rulebook
World Powerlifting Union

Powerlifting, Bench Press and Deadlift
in
Raw, Classic Raw und Single Ply and Multi Ply

Version 1.0, valid as of XXXXXXXXXXXXX

I.Content

II.Changes

III.General

IV.Categories

1.Equipment categories

2.Age categories

3.Weight Classes

V.Costume and Personal Equipment

4.Gerneral

5.Lifting Suit

Raw and Classic Raw: Singlet

Single Ply

Multi Ply

6.Shirts

Raw and Classic Raw: T-Shirt

Single Ply

Multi Ply

7.Underwear and supportive Briefs

Raw and Classic Raw

Single Ply: Briefs

Multi Ply: Briefs

8.Lifting Belt (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

9.Socks (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

10.Shin Guards (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

11.Foot wear (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

12.Knee Wraps and KneeSleeves

Classic Raw

Raw und Single Ply

Wrist Wraps

Classic Raw

Raw, Single Ply, and Multi Ply

Ellbow sleeves and elbow wraps

Raw, Classic Raw and Single Ply

Multi Ply

13.Plasters

14.Blood Provisions

VI.Equipment und Spezifikationen

15.Platform

16.Bars and Discs

Bars

Discs

Collars

17.Racks and Monolift

18.Bench

19.Lights / Flags

VII.Lifts and Rules of their performance

20.Squat

Causes for Disqualification of a Squat

21.Bench Press

Causes for Disqualification of a Bench Press

22.Deadlift

Causes for Disqualification of a Deadlift

VIII.Rules of Competition

23.Weigh-in

24.The Round Systeem (Order of Starters, Flights and Breaks)

25.Competition Rules

26.Referees

27.Appointed Officials and their Helpers

Speaker

Time Keeper

Marshall’s/Expeditors

Scorer

Record Processor

Loaders/Spotters

IX.Records

X.International competitions

II.Changes

Version / Changes
Version 1.0 / General restructuring of the rulebook and revision of the rules. Read completely.
Remark: Introduction of version number. The previous version was as of May07, 2014

III.General

  • The World Powerlifting Union (WPU) recognizes the following lifts, which must be performed in the designated sequence in all, excepting single-lift competitions conducted under WPU rules:
  • Powerlifting, consisting of:a. Squat b. Bench Press c. Deadlift = d. Total
    The addition of the heaviest successful lifts shall result in the total (d).
  • Bench Press
  • Deadlift
  • All competitions under WPU rules must be conducted in kilograms.
  • The WPU, through its member affiliate national federations, recognizes the world, international and national competitions of its member federations.

IV.Categories

1.Equipment categories

The following table contains an overview over the equipment classes of the WPU. Further details under "Personal Equipment" and "Lifts and the rules of their performance".

Athletes of the category "Raw" are responsible to notify the head-referee before each lift that they compete in this category to ensure that they receive the correct signals and the arms of the monolifts are not moved.

Disciplin / Classic Raw* / Raw / Singel Ply / Multi Ply
Squat / Personal equipment: / Mandatory:
T-shirt, singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt / Mandatory:
T-shirt, singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
knee bandages up to 2,5 m, single-ply knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, wrist wraps / Mandatory:
T-shirt, singlet OR single-ply squat suit, socks, shoes
Permitted:
single ply supportive briefs, knee bandages up to 2,5 m, single-ply knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, wrist wraps / Mandatory:
T-shirt OR erector short, singlet OR single-ply OR multi-ply squat suit, socks, shoes
Permitted:
One pair off single-ply OR multi-ply supportive briefs, knee bandages up to 3,0 m, single ply OR multi ply knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, wrist wraps
Signals: / „Squat“,
„Rack“ / „Squat“,
„Rack“ / „Squat“,
„Rack“ / „Squat“,
„Rack“
Bench Press / Personal equipment: / Mandatory:
T-shirt, singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
knee sleeves, belt / Mandatory:
T-shirt, singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
knee sleeves, belt, wrist wraps / Mandatory:
T-shirt OR single-ply bench press-shirt, singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
knee sleeves, belt, wrist wraps / Mandatory:
T-shirt OR single ply bench press-shirt Or multi-ply bench press shirt, singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
knee sleeves, belt, wrist wraps
Signals: / „ Press“,
„ Rack“ / „ Press“,
„ Rack“ / „ Press“,
„ Rack“ / „ Press“,
„ Rack“
Deadlift / Personal equipment / Mandatory:
singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
T-shirt, knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, shin guards / Mandatory:
singlet, socks, shoes
Permitted:
T-shirt, knee bandages up to 2,5 m, single-ply knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, wrist wraps, shin guards / Mandatory:
singlet OR single-ply lifting suit, socks, shoes
Permitted:
T-shirt OR singls-ply erector-shirt, supportive briefs, knee bandages up to 2.5 m, single-ply knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, wrist wraps, shin guards / Mandatory:
singlet OR single-ply lifting suit OR multi-ply lifting suit, socks, shoes
Permitted:
T-shirt OR erector-shirt, supportive briefs, knee bandages up to 3.0 m, single-ply or multi-ply knee sleeves and elbow sleeves, belt, wrist wraps, shin guards
Signals: / „Down“ / „Down“ / „Down“ / Down

2.Age categories

Lifters have to be at least 14 years of age. The lifters age at the day of competition is decisive. The following age categories exist:

Teen 1: 14-15 years (classic raw only)

Teen 2: 16-19 years (raw or classic raw only)

Junior: 20-23 years

Open: 24-39 years (all master lifters are allowed to start in the open class as well)

Master 1: 40-44 years

Master 2: 45-49 years

Master 3: 50-54 years

Master 4: 55-59 years

Master 5: 60-64 years

Master 6: 65-69 years

Master 7: 70-74 years

Master 8: 75-79 years

Master 9: 80+ years

3.Weight Classes

Männer: / Frauen:
56 kg class: up to 56,0 kg
60 kg class: 56.01 up to 60.0 kg
67.5 kg class: 60.01 up to 67,5 kg
75 kg class: 67.51 up to 75,0 kg
82.5 kg class: 75.01 up to 82.5 kg
90 kg class: 82,51 up to 90.0 kg
100 kg class: 90,01 zu 100,0 kg
110 kg class: 100,01 up to 110,0 kg
125 kg class: 110,01 up to 125.0 kg
140 kg class: 125,01 up to 140,0 kg
140+ kg class (SHW): 140,01 kg and above / 48 kg class: 44,01 up to 48,0 kg
52 kg class: 48,01 up to 52,0 kg
56 kg class: 52,01 up to 56,0 kg
60 kg class: 56,01 up to 60,0 kg
67.5 kg class: 60,01 up to 67,5 kg
75 kg class: 67.51 up to 75,0 kg
82,5 kg class: 75,01 up to 82,5 kg
90 kg class: 82,51 up to 90,0 kg
90+ kg class (SHW): 90,01 kg and above

V.Costume and Personal Equipment

4.Gerneral

All articles of a lifter’s costume and personal equipment shall be clean and generally neat and

presentable.

  1. There will be no official inspection of costume and personal equipment prior to lifting.
  2. It will be the lifter’s responsibility to be present on the platform outfitted in accordance with

the rules governing costume and personal equipment.

  1. Any item mentioned previously under costume and personal equipment may be inspected prior to the competition if the lifter has any doubt as to the legality of that item. Such inspections should be requested during the weigh-in sessions and directed to the WPU referees present. Such inspections may also be made at any time prior to lifting by one of the appointed WPU Contest Officials or WPU referee. Any conjecture or doubt about the legality of any such items shall be referred to the WPU Contest Officials or Technical Officer.
  2. Items or personal attire not covered in the rules governing costume and personal equipment such as: headbands, mouthpieces, ribbons, costume jewellery, eyewear and feminine hygiene articles are permitted. However, hats and scarves shall not to be worn on the platform during lifting.
  3. Any items worn on the platform considered objectionable by virtue of being unclean, torn or tattered, indecent or offensive to the spirit of the competition will be rejected before the lifter is permitted to proceed.
  4. If a lifter performs on the platform wearing or using any item that is illegal or not verifiably approved, the lifter shall lose credit for that lift and may be disqualified from the competition. Any minor oversights, or items covered in (5) above, noticed before the lifter performs should be indicated to the lifter and rectified prior to continuing.
  5. Any lifter performing on the platform may be inspected before or after the lift if any of the referees doubt the legality of the costume or personal equipment being used.
  6. Any lifter successful in a record attempt must be inspected. Inspection may be solely visual when the legality of the lifter’s costume and personal equipment is obvious, or otherwise more thorough. Thorough inspections should be performed off the platform, preferably in a private area, either by the three referees, or official’s delegates by the referees in cases where the lifter is of the opposite sex. In all cases the head referee shall make an announcement to the speaker and records processor that the record has been verified.

5.Lifting Suit

Raw and Classic Raw: Singlet

  1. The singlet shall consist of a one-piece full length-lifting suit of single-ply stretch material that is non - supportive. Supportive is defined as either the type of material used in the construction of the garment, or the excessive tightness of the garment when worn by the lifter, or a combination of the two. The construction of the suit must be without any patches or padding. Any seams, false or otherwise, that in the opinion of the referees are incorporated into the costume purely as a form of reinforcement or bracing, shall invalidate the costume from being used in the competition.
  2. The costume must be form fitting without any looseness when worn by the lifter. The straps must be worn over the shoulders at all times while lifting in competition.
  3. The singlet may be of any color or colors. The singlet may bear the badge, emblem, logo and/or inscription of the lifter’s nation, national association, or sponsor. That which is offensive or liable to bring the sport into disrepute is not allowed.
  4. The singlet must have legs and the length of the leg must not extend below mid thigh.
  5. Any singlet which straps have been shortened, in any fashion that may leave the excessive material intact, may not stitch or reattach the excess material back down to the suit itself. The maximum amount the excess fabric (a.k.a. “tabs”) may extend is two inches above the new seam. Velcro is not allowed on the straps or any part of the singlet.

Single Ply

  1. A lifting suit of the basic design shall be worn. It must be an individual full-length article of cloth fabric. Its’ construction may only consist of single visible ply and must, as a whole, be of single material construction. The maximum overall material thickness must not exceed 1.3mm at any measured point, the seams being an exception. No Velcro or canvas material is permitted anywhere on the suit, this includes any equivalent material using a different generic name. Any modification to the straps requiring the excess material being stitched back down onto the straps must not exceed 50mm. The straps must be worn over the shoulders at all times while on platform.
  2. The straps must be worn over the shoulders at all times while on platform.
  3. The suit may be of any colour or colours.
  4. The length of the leg, when worn may not extend below mid-thigh (medial point between crotch and top of kneecap). Leotards with sleeves or high-cut leg lines are not permitted.
  5. A singlet must be used during the Bench Press (specification singlet under raw/classic raw).
  6. The Athlete may choose to use a singlet even though starting in the "Single Ply" category.

Multi Ply

  1. A lifting suit shall be worn during the competitive lifts. It must be an individual full length article of cloth fabric, polyester, denim or canvass and may consist of multiple plies of any thickness, but as a whole be of a singular construction. The use of Velcro material to secure the straps is permitted.
  2. The straps must be worn over the shoulders at all times while performing the competitive lifts.
  3. The length of the legs must not extend beyond mid-thigh (mid-point between the top of the kneecap and the crotch).
  4. A singlet must be used during the Bench Press (specification singlet under raw/classic raw).
  5. An erector shirt may be worn with either a squat or deadlift suit during the performance of these two lifts.
  6. The Athlete may choose to use a singlet or a single-ply lifting suit even though starting in the "Multi Ply" category.

6.Shirts

A shirt must be worn during squat and bench press.

Raw and Classic Raw: T-Shirt

  1. One undershirt of a design consistent with what is commonly called a T-shirt, with or without sleeves, must be worn under the lifting suit in each of the three disciplines.. It must be an individual article of cloth. It shall not contain “Rubberized” or “Elastic” material or thread , that is intended to provide additional support.It shall not have collars, buttons, zips etc. Sleeves may not extend beyond the elbow when worn.
  2. It may be of any colour or colours. Any wording or graphic shall not portray indecency or be offensive to the spirit of the competition. Vests are not considered to be a sleeveless T-shirt.

Single Ply

  1. Bench Press-Shirts:
    A bench press shirt of the basic design may be worn. It must be an individual article of cloth fabric. Its construction may only consist of single visible ply and must, as a whole, be of single material construction. The maximum overall material thickness must not exceed 1.3mm at any measured point, the seams being an exception. No canvas material is permitted anywhere on the suit, this includes any equivalent material using a different generic name. It may be of any colour or colours. Sleeves may not extend beyond the elbow when worn. No Velcro is allowed anywhere in the construction of this garment.
  2. Erector-Shirts:
    Erector-Shirts may be worn during the Deadlift. The specifications equal those of the Bench Press-shirt.
  3. The athlete may choose to use a T-shirt even though starting in the "Single Ply" category.

Multi Ply

  1. Bench Press-Shirts:
    One bench shirt may be worn under the lifting suit. It must be an individual article of cloth fabric, polyester, denim or canvas. Its construction may consist of multiple plies but must, as a whole, be a singular component. Sleeves must be remain above the elbow when worn and must cover the armpits. Velcro or open back is permitted.
  2. During the bench press, a lifter wearing an open-back bench shirt has the option of wearing one plain t-shirt.
  3. The athlete may choose to use a T-shirt OR a single ply bench press-shirt even though starting in the "Multi Ply" category.

7.Underwear and supportive Briefs

Raw and Classic Raw

Normal, non-supportive underwear of any design may be worn under the singlet. Both slips and "boxer"-type underwear are permissible. The legs of the underwear must not extend bexond those of the singlet.

Single Ply: Briefs

  1. A pair of briefs of any design may be worn under the lifting suit and shall be an individual article of cloth or Polyester fabric. Canvas material is not permitted. Their construction may only consist of single ply material and must, as a whole, be a singular component , i.e. groove briefs, or, “Boxer” type briefs are allowed. The waist may not extend above the navel. Brief leg's are not permitted to extend below the Leg opening of the lifting suit.
  2. The athlete may choose to use a normal, non-supportive underwear even though starting in the "Single Ply" category.

Multi Ply: Briefs

  1. One pair of support briefs of any design may be worn and may extend below the bottom of the lifting suit leg, provided that the length of the legs do not exceed mid thigh, and that the waist does not extend beyond approximately mid-torso.The Support Briefs must be an individual article of cloth fabric. The construction may consist of multiple plies to any thickness but must, as a whole, be a singular component.
  2. The athlete may choose to use a normal, non-supportive underwear even though starting in the "Multi Ply" category.

8.Lifting Belt (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

A competitor may wear a belt. If worn, it shall be on the outside of the lifting suit.

  1. The main body shall be made of leather or similar non-streching material (further refered to as "leather") in one or more laminations, which may be glued and/or stitched together.
  2. It shall not have any additional padding, bracing, or supports of any material either on the surface or concealed within the laminations.
  3. A metal buckle, studs, and stitching are the only non-leather components permitted. The buckle shall be attached at one end of the belt by means of studs and/or stitching.
  4. A single leather tongue loop only shall be attached close to the buckle by means of studs and/or stitching. No additional loop is permitted.
  5. A one or two prong buckle as well as the “lever action” fastening device may be used.
  6. The lifter’s name, nation, state, or club may appear on the outside of the belt.
  7. Dimensions:
    a) Width of belt to be a maximum of 10cm.
    b) Thickness of belt to be a maximum of 13mm.

9.Socks (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

  1. Socks must be wordn during all disciplines.
  2. They may not extend over the knee or on the leg so they touch any knee wrapping or supporter. Full-length stockings, tights, or hose are not permitted.
  3. One Pair of knee-length socks must be worn during the execution of the Deadlift.

10.Shin Guards (classic raw, raw, single ply and multi ply)

Shin guards may be worn underneath the socks. They must not extend over the socks.