The USA Powerlifting Executive Committee has important updates on a few key topics it is excited to share with you. Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our members and we continue to consult subject matter experts across the country on our health and safety protocols to ensure your security and good health.

National Championships – 2021

The 2020 Collegiate National Championships remain scheduled for November 20-22 in Oaks, PA. The operations plan has been approved after being heavily vetted and reviewed both internally, and by the local health department. This event will be held on 2 platforms over 3 days and will be widely separated to ensure social distancing protocols. This will be our test for larger meets and how they will be run in the current environment.

Currently, the 2021 Collegiate and High School National Powerlifting Championships are scheduled. Our management teams are working hard planning these events. Our Open, Raw, Bench and Youth Nationals have not been scheduled as we are working diligently to plan and schedule around COVID restrictions and the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) calendar, which has not been finalized yet. 

It is our goal to place nationals so that it makes sense to qualify and field national teams for IPF Worlds. With that said, National meets will not take place prior to June 2021.  As soon as we have a final plan with dates, and locations for Nationals, we will release more information.

The Arnold Sports Festival

For 12 years we have been the premier powerlifting event at the Arnold Sports Festival. We will once again return to the largest multi-sport festival on earth in 2021. Currently, the 2021 Arnold Sports Festival organizers do not have a clear event date. Much uncertainty remains about the dates of the event due to COVID, but we are in close communication with the leadership team and will be at the 2021 Arnold Sports Festival.

Qualifying considerations for the Arnold powerlifting events will come from a variety of sources including; standings in 2020 The Hometown Showdown and previous QT’s from 2019 Nationals and by invitation. We will share more detailed information as soon as the events are planned and scheduled.  

National Team Qualifying

NAPFs: For those interested in competing at NAPF events, currently scheduled for August 2021, we will consider first those who competed at 2019 Nationals and then those ranked within the Hometown Showdown. (You will need to post a total by April 1, 2021 to be considered for the National Team.)

Worlds: Normally, qualifying for international events comes from competing at Nationals.  In the event we do not hold Nationals prior to the nomination deadlines for World events, the athletes who won spots for 2020 will have the right of first refusal for 2021 National Teams to compete at Worlds. 

We are confident that we will have openings on national teams. These spots will be filled from our rankings database for The Hometown Showdown. 

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We have created a webpage dedicated to the ongoing updates for COVID-19.  Please go here: https://www.usapowerlifting.com/covid-19-updates/

USA Powerlifting COVID-19 Update for Upcoming Events

March 14, 2020

High School Nationals
USA Powerlifting will be postponing the 2020 USA Powerlifting High School National Championships following Texas Governor Gregg Abbott’s Emergency Declaration. The rescheduled date of the Championships is June 30th – July 2nd 2020, in Killeen Texas.

Championship Director and Vice President of USA Powerlifting, Johnny Graham, is working hard to reorganize the event and to communicate with all athletes and coaches. More details will be shared via email.

Open Nationals
Open National Championships dates remain the same, May 7-10.  With this championships being seven weeks away, we will continue to plan for the event as scheduled.

Collegiate Nationals
Dates and venue options are still being explored for the reschedule of this championship.  We anticipate solidifying the dates and event details in the next few weeks.

State and Local Events
All remaining USA Powerlifting events remain planned and scheduled at this time. If an event is canceled due to government or facility request, the event director will be notifying all registered participants.   Our goal as an organization and as well as our meet directors is to carry on with events as planned or if absolutely necessary, postpone to a later date. Should you have any questions concerning an event you are registered for, please contact the individual meet director.

As stated in previous releases, the Executive Committee is consistently monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will continue sharing information as it becomes available.

As all decisions made during the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, the health and safety of USA Powerlifting members, volunteers, and supporters remains the top priority of USA Powerlifting. All guidelines laid out by the Center For Disease Control, State Governments, and the Federal Government as it pertains to COVID-19 will continue to be followed by the organization.

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USA Powerlifting Postpones 2020 Collegiate National Powerlifting Championships

March 13, 2020

Anchorage, Alaska – USA Powerlifting will be postponing the 2020 USA Powerlifting Collegiate National Championships after the Pennsylvania State Government announced a ban on large events. Originally scheduled for April 3, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania,  a new event date is still being explored at this time.

This decision has been made with the health and safety of USA Powerlifting members, volunteers, and supporters as a top priority and to align with government guidelines. 

At this time numerous Universities, States, and Local governments have made definitive decisions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. USA Powerlifting is following the guidelines laid out by these institutions, including The CDC, and has made the decision to postpone the Championships until further notice.

Yesterday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the Department of Health announced the state’s decision to ban public events of 250 people or more and implement social distancing protocols. Championship Director Steve Mann has been working closely with the EC and local officials and is diligently rescheduling the event and communicating with teams and athletes. Updates on Collegiate Nationals will be sent to the registered athletes and coaches when more information becomes available. 

At this time, the situation is fluid and USA Powerlifting cannot set a definitive reschedule date. Early to late summer is being explored, but ultimately the organization must make the best decision that protects the health and wellbeing of all members, and that is in line with government and University protocols. All athletes entered in Collegiate Nationals will remain eligible even if the postponed date is after they graduate due to the circumstances.

All remaining USA Powerlifting National Championships remain planned and scheduled at this time. As stated in the previous release, the Executive Committee is consistently monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will continue sharing information as it becomes available.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2020

Regarding the Novel COVID-19 Virus and USA Powerlifting Events USA Powerlifting will continue on with its scheduled sanctioned events in 2020. The Executive Committee is closely monitoring the CDC, Federal, and state and local government guidance on the Novel Coronavirus.

Members, volunteers, and supporters who feel ill are encouraged to stay at home and not join the large groups of people at events. All members, volunteers, and supporters should practice good hygiene habits as prescribed by the CDC. This includes refraining from touching your face, thoroughly washing your hands throughout the day, wiping down surfaces, not shaking hands, and practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette.

Those who are concerned about travel are encouraged to look into cancel for any reason “CFAR” travel insurance. CFAR insurance is required if you are exploring the possibility of cancelling your trip due to the COVID-19 virus. Most travel insurance policies do not cover cancellation for epidemics/pandemics – it is up to you to do your due diligence and prepare yourself as you see fit.

Event participation and attendance are voluntary; members and volunteers are encouraged to make health decisions based on your comfort level and health concerns.

Should the situation with COVID-19 change in regard to any of the USA Powerlifting sanctioned events, the event promoter will communicate as swiftly as possible. If you have questions or concerns about state or local meets, please contact your State Chair or the event promoter directly.

Thank you for your understanding, we look forward to seeing you at your next competition.
Please visit the CDC Website for more information on COVID-19 resources.

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PDF COVID-19 Virus and USA Powerlifting Events March 2020