Powerlifting federations in Wales
In an ideal world, there would only be one federation and thus one champion in each different weight class but unfortunately, due to
different rules and regulations regarding lifting equipment and drug testing (amongst other things!), we now have 4 main federations
in the UK. Each of these federations are represented in Wales and they all provide Welsh, National and International competitions.
Two of these federations are drug tested and two are not. The two drug tested federations offer seperate unequipped and equipped
competitions whereas the two non tested federations do not. Each of these federations are described below.
Drug tested federations
Welsh Powerlifting Union (WPU/BWLA)
The WPU is affiliated to the British Weightlifters Association (BWLA) who in turn are affiliated to the International Powerlifting
Federation (IPF). These federations offer both unequipped and equipped competitions but only offer unequipped competitions at national
level, not internationally. You are allowed to wear single ply supporting equipment in this federation, please
click here to view the approved list of equipment.
Links:
WPU Website
BWLA Website
European Powerlifting Website
Commonwealth Powerlifting Website
IPF Website
British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA)
The BDFPA is affiliated to the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation and offers both national and international competitions for
both unequipped and equipped lifters. The BDFPA have their own website so please visit them for further information.
Links:
BDFPA Website
WDFPA Website
Non-drug tested federations
British Powerlifting Congress (BPC)
The BPC is affiliated to both the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) and Global Powerlifting Committee (GPC).
Lifters from the BPC and WPC may also qualify to lift in the World Powerlifting Organisation (WPO). All these federations allow the lifter
to wear double ply equipment. The BPC now has a new website so please visit them for further information.
Links:
BPC Website
WPC Website
GPC Website
British Powerlifting Organisation (BPO)
The BPO is affiliated to the World Powerlifting Federation (WPF). These federations allow the lifter to wear single ply equipment
although they also allow 2.5m knee wraps and squat briefs may also be worn under the squat suit. The BPO has it's own website
so please visit them for further information.
Links:
BPO Website
WPF Website
And finally...
Welsh Strength Association (WSA)
The WSA is a small, non-political federation based in Wales that welcomes lifters to lift in it's competition regardless of
which federation usually lift with. This is an ideal federation for the novice lifter to join.
Please visit their site for further information.
Links:
WSA Website