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Masters Weightlifting is the Olympic sport of weightlifting for persons 35 years old or older. Weightlifting is the ultimate sport of strength and power and should not be confused with powerlifting, bodybuilding, or general weight training. Weightlifting consists of two events; the snatch and the clean-and-jerk. Masters Weightlifting is a committee within USA Weightlifting, which is the national governing body (NGB) for the sport of weightlifting in the United States.
This website is operated independently of USA Weightlifting. Its purpose is to
promote the sport of weightlifting in general and masters weightlifting in particular.
Any suggestions, comments, questions, or complaints should be directed to the
webmaster for this site: .
The United States Masters Program will adhere to all USA Weightlifting Rules and all IWF Master's rules, but reserve the right to change any of these rules with a majority vote of our members at our annual business meeting.
NEW RULE CHANGE: The members voted to change the IWF Master's rule that would not allow a lifter to declare at the Technical Conference to go down in his weight class. Since the USA Masters does not have qualifying totals at our Nationals, it was voted on, and passed, to allow a lifter to move up or down at the Technical Conference.
SOME OTHER RULES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO US:
Minimum starting poundage for national level meets will be 20kg for women (Lady's bar with 2.5kg 450mm plates and spring collars) and 25kg for men (Men's bar with 2.5kg 450mm plates and spring collars).
No qualifying totals at our Nationals.
Bids for National Masters will include requirements to be able to provide a two platform meet if the number of entries demand this.
Age groups will be in five year groups beginning with the 35-39 age group and will continue to infinity.
Lifters may qualify for the IWF Masters World Championship at the last World Championship, the American Masters before the Worlds, or at the National Masters before the Worlds. Also, a lifter may qualify in any sanctioned meet in which all equipment, including scales, are certified and he/she is judged by at least two national referees. A special form is available that must be filled out and signed by all involved. This sanctioned meet must take place between the last Worlds and the deadline for this year's Worlds. The completed form must be sent to the national chairman within 30 days of the qualifying meet.
Ranking for the Worlds: Using the above rule, we take one's qualifying total and divide it into one's best total from a qualifier and the quotient will determine one's ranking. At each Worlds, the USA is allowed a certain number of slots and it will be made up by our best in the ranking. We will try to get extra slots if needed.
There are no qualifying totals to enter our Nationals. To be eligible one must be a registered master weightlifter and have competed in a sanctioned weightlifting competition within the past three years.