Now… Perhaps not the easiest question, but can anyone help to persuade me one way or another which federation (UK based) to choose for this year coming?
I would like to continue raw at the moment, no preference with regard to wraps/no wraps, and am 16 y/o. I already compete with the WSA, which is open to all lifters in any fed, but would like to compete more often and at a slightly higher level.
GBPF - I am drug free and so should support them, but I hate their attitude and WADA affiliation. They also have just one raw comp and it’s in October. Their weight classes are odd - I can’t get to 105kg that quickly, and 93 would limit my strength gains I think, especially with 2 hour weigh-ins.
BPU - I like their attitudes better in general, but obviously they are untested (except for the international AWPC I think), so I’d be at a disadvantage. They have more raw competition and more realistic weight classes.
GPC-GB - Same as BPU really, but allow wraps unequipped. Hold a Welsh comp.
BDFPA - Sound like a worse version of the GBPF, with fewer lifters (but a few raw meets I think). Maybe I’m being unfair.
I am currently around SQ 195kg (200+ wrapped) BE 125kg DL ~210kg, BPU have a qualifier on Feb 23rd, GPC-GB on Jul 7th?, and GBPF I would qualify at the Welsh in the spring and then wait until Oct for the classic. Weighing ~ 90kg but gaining weight.
BPO (British Powerlifting Organisation) is aimed primarily at geared lifters and is un-tested but they have an open event in swansea on Feb 15th I believe. I may well be doing the Scottish event near Glasgow a few weeks before. It will be my first meet and i was going to compete raw. Just have to make sure to check my ego at the door for all the assissted geared lifters lol. But i asked and they were more than happy for me to compete raw.
The guy that I’ve been in touch with is - davidtcarter@live.co.uk and has been very helpful. Otherwise I just checked the calendar and the organiser of the Welsh event is Ken Williams and his mobile number is given on there as - 07970625946.
Yes, thanks. Forgot to mention BPO. I know Ken from WSA, but as they are solely equipped I didn’t consider them. I will keep them in mind, especially if I ever move to equipped.
halcj, I can tell you that 90%+ of lifters at any given competition on the GBPF calendar with be lifting raw (except for the equipped champs obviously).
Weight classes are not a good reason to base your decision on, at 16 you’ve got a lot of time to grow so don’t even let the thought of fitting into a weight class limit you in any way shape or form. Just train and get stronger and let your bodyweight go wherever is natural. Besides, with your lifts and at 16 years old you outperform all the British record standards for U16 120kg+ category except for the Benchpress which is at 130kg. Just go lift and have fun. Even if you weigh in at say 95kg and compete in the 105’s, you’ll absolutely crush it in the under 18’s.
I will tell you this though, the GBPF is the only really respected federation and judging is extremely harsh even at local level. If you have any international aspirations then it’s definitely best to compete in the GBPF, and just think of the October classic as selection for the International Classic.
[quote]JordanWebster wrote:
halcj, I can tell you that 90%+ of lifters at any given competition on the GBPF calendar with be lifting raw (except for the equipped champs obviously).
Weight classes are not a good reason to base your decision on, at 16 you’ve got a lot of time to grow so don’t even let the thought of fitting into a weight class limit you in any way shape or form. Just train and get stronger and let your bodyweight go wherever is natural. Besides, with your lifts and at 16 years old you outperform all the British record standards for U16 120kg+ category except for the Benchpress which is at 130kg. Just go lift and have fun. Even if you weigh in at say 95kg and compete in the 105’s, you’ll absolutely crush it in the under 18’s.
I will tell you this though, the GBPF is the only really respected federation and judging is extremely harsh even at local level. If you have any international aspirations then it’s definitely best to compete in the GBPF, and just think of the October classic as selection for the International Classic.[/quote]
I definitely see where you’re coming from. Good points. Not sure about it being “the only really respected federation” though… I’m sure a lot of people would disagree with you!
Surely just doing a meet and beating your numbers is all that matters? I’ve recently done a bdfpa comp the judging was on point and the comp was well run
[quote]deep squat wrote:
Surely just doing a meet and beating your numbers is all that matters? I’ve recently done a bdfpa comp the judging was on point and the comp was well run[/quote]
That’s fine, but I would rather compete seriously in a federation I feel provides what I want in powerlifting than compete anywhere just to set PRs. I see it as a sport like any other, the aim being to build towards winning and win. I can compete against myself in training and local WSA competitions, but would like to experience a higher level of competition.