Uh oh, now we have to have another 500 posts on whether bench only counts as powerlifting and if so does everyone training just the bench, to get specifically stronger, count as a powerlifter?!
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Of course it does!
Every teenager boy is a powerlifter at some point.
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Now there is a debate powerlifters have been having for a while!
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Well shit…” me fucked up.”
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Also:
Are sumo pullers using powerlifting methodology?
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I don’t even know what to google to find it haha
Probably. Bonus points if you force someone disinterested in powerlifting, who wants to support you, to be your handler
Also if you don’t wear Inzers 2 sizes too small during these sessions, you aren’t a powerlifter
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Personally I can’t pull sumo for shit. So since it’s harder for me, it counts 
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According to all the rules of Powerlifting that I am aware of, there is only one possible way to conduct a double. You need to successfully complete the lift and the head judge have said, “rack it.” or “down” before you descended with the bar for the second rep.
Up you might get “red lighted” anyway for something like poor sportsmanship.
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Extra points should be awarded for canvas… and extra for each additional person to stuff you in… 
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This reminds of a guy at a Bench Press contest. The Bench Press was judged by the same rules as set in the operating Powerlifting federation in that area.
A young bencher got down on the bench for his opener Bench Press. He let the bar down, waited until the head judge said “press.” He blew that bar off his chest, immediately racked the bar, and jumped with joy of his effort. Then he turned around and saw three red lights. His joy instantly sunk to confusion.
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Every powerlifter needs to do this at least once.
Unless we follow OPs definition, then the powerlifting rules don’t matter because everyone doing strength training are powerlifters.
I went back over your longer post.
Your argument fundamentally confuses identity with formal validation. You’re treating powerlifting as a label that only a judge or federation can grant, rather than something that exists in practice. Saying “anybody can do powerlifting training, but they’re not powerlifters unless they compete” is like saying no one is a runner until they enter a sanctioned marathon, or no one is a guitarist until they perform on stage. Absurd.
Methodology does define a powerlifter: it’s the intent and structure of training around the squat, bench, and deadlift with progressive overload and specificity toward maximal strength in those lifts. Competition simply measures performance; it doesn’t create the identity. A lifter can train for years like a powerlifter, hitting peaking cycles and accessory work aimed at improving the big three, without ever stepping on a platform, and they’re still a powerlifter.
Your insistence that only meets “prove” someone’s a powerlifter conflates recognition with existence. Powerlifting isn’t about being certified by judges; it’s about the act and intent of lifting. Competition is just a subset of the sport, not its definition.
It’s me answering a question.
But you don’t read 
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Ok and the battlefield is also the powerlifting training leading up to the meet.
Do you think powerlifters lay around until meet day? You don’t think they’re also on the battlefield in the gym?
You’re still mixing up strength training and powerlifting training.
I don’t speak about identity. Just about general definitions.
If it’s an question of identity. It’s not very objective either.
You can identify as a powerlifter even if you’re not training at the gym at all. But other people don’t need to identify you as one.
Agree. And competing is how powerlifting was defined in the dictionary links I posted.
Someone who trains specifically for maximal SBD strength is a powerlifter whether or not they step on a platform, just as a distance runner is still a runner if they log hundreds of miles but haven’t raced yet.
This does not make any sense.
By that definition long distance runners are all marathon runners.
The gym is the practice field and the training room.
Analogous with football.
I define myself as a lesbian.
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