Qualifying Totals

Qualifying totals, or QTs are a somewhat confusing concept at first, as is is how to get from one level of competition to the next. Here is what you need to know about competing and meets and what you need to do to get to Nationals from the ground up.

Local meets are where you will start. A local meet requires only that you have a membership, legal equipment, have completed your True Sport module (for drug testing and fair play awareness), and show up to lift! It helps to know the rules (pdf download) and is a tremendous asset to have a coach who knows how the event works. 

There is no qualifying total to do a local meet.

Volunteering is the next step up your chain. "Volunteering?" you say. "But that's not lifting!" Ah, but it is. Volunteers helping out at meets makes it possible for the meets to be run. Spotting and loading, helping on the scoretable, and assisting with set up and take down are just a few of the things that volunteers do. To compete at Nationals for Newfoundland and Labrador, you MUST volunteer at NLPA Provincials or TWO OTHER LOCAL MEETS. Without the volunteers on the platform and table, the meet would not run. Volunteering is a part of this sport. Plus you learn an awful lot by helping out, and it will make you a better lifter!

Since we are talking about Provincials, our Provincial Championships are likely your next step up the competition chain. While you do not HAVE to lift at Provincials to go to Nationals, it is strongly advised. To compete at Provincials, you must have a QT from the tables below (scroll down the page to check them out when you've time - I'll keep typing :-)). 

QTs all work the same way, all the way up through to Nationals. 

• You must have achieved the total in the weight class in which you competed. If you competed as a 74kg junior male, you must have hit or exceeded the QT for the 74kg junior males. 

• once you've achieved the QT in the weight class in which you competed, the door FOR THAT DISCIPLINE is wide open for you. You can compete in any weight class you choose within that discipline. Think of a QT as a passkey to unlock an elevator level. Once you open that elevator door, you're free to select whichever weightclass room in your age group that you want to walk into. (Be prepared to lift more or be lighter if you choose to go up or down!)

• by discipline we mean raw/classic, equipped, raw/classic bench-only, or equipped bench-only and in the age group in which you've qualified (there are some additional rules surrounding this, so if you're trying to switch age groups, give us a shout!).

• if you want to qualify in equipped, you must lift equipped. Same with raw.

• Bench only is a bit of an exception. You see, there's a benchpress in 3-lift as well as in bench-only. You CAN qualify for bench-only with your 3-lift bench press. Makes sense, yes?

• QTs are valid for 24 months. Then they expire and you have to try again. (But you've already registered for your next meet anyway, right? Right?)

• Anyone can lift in Open, if they've hit the Open QT. (The Age Group QTs are lower than the Open ones.)

Okay, you did provincials. That went great. Someone said, "hey you should do Nationals!"

They might be correct! But you have a few more boxes to tick and things to learn.

To do Nationals for the first time, you also must do Regionals. Usually that's Easterns here in NL, but it can be Centrals or Westerns. This is to build your experience level before going to Nationals. Regionals is a higher level of play, with more stringent refereeing. 

To do Regionals, you must have achieved the Regional QTs as established by the CPU in any meet (local or Provincials are the norm for first-time athletes). You can find them HERE. The National QTs are there as well. The National QTs are the Golden QTs, the ones that will get you in the door to Nats. You can hit the National QTs at any meet, from local to Worlds.

So to recap, to do Nationals for the first time, a lifter from Newfoundland & Labrador must:

1. hit the National QT for the weight class in which they lifted.

2. have done Regionals within two years of their first Nationals.

3. have volunteered at Provincials or TWO other local meets.

4. have a valid CPU membership.

5. have their CCES certificate (that drug awareness thing I talked about earlier) complete and up to date.

6. register for Nationals.

A lifter who has previously competed at Nationals only requires the QT and volunteering.

If you are planning your process along this road, we are happy to help. Pop the NLPA exec an email at nlpaexec@gmail.com or send us a message via FB and we will help with any of the following:

• check your totals to see what you need and if you have them

• pair you with a referee to make sure your lift technique is sufficiently good

• help you to learn the skills you need to volunteer and help you find a volunteer position within your scope

• help you local gear that is allowable in competition

• assist with any other questions or queries you might have!

Youth Division

The focus for CPU Youth Division will be to introduce young athletes to the life-long sport of Powerlifting. Exposing youths to a fun and safe environment would not only allow the sport to grow, but it will only benefit these them in their daily lives and other athletic endeavours they may choose throughout their school years. It allows for individual focused training and competing while at the same time, creating a strong community of support around them in a fun and positive environment. The main priority for these athletes is to learn and perform proper technique and training methods, through experience on the competition platform. 

Personal Apparel/Lifter Gear 

The youth division will only be contested in the Classic lifting division as defined in the IPF rulebook. Supportive equipment (BP shirts, SQ suits or DL suits, and knee wraps) is strictly prohibited for youth division. 

IPF approved personal apparel and lifting gear is required for all youth lifters. 

Age Divisions

 • Youth 1 – from the day the lifter turns 8 years old throughout the full calendar year they turn 9 years old (up to Provincial competition level only) 

• Youth 2 – from January 1st of the calendar year the lifter turns 10 years old (up to Regional competition level only) 

• Youth 3 – from January 1st of the calendar year the lifter turns 12 years old until the day the lifter turns 14 years old (up to National competition level) 

Weight classes 

• Girls: 30kg, 35kg, 40kg, and then the already set weight classes. 

• Boys: 30kg, 35kg, 40kg, 44kg, 48kg and then the set classes. 

Weigh-ins 

• Youth athletes must wear a singlet and t-shirt during weigh-ins. 

• Youth athletes must be accompanied by a parent, guardian. A coach may be present during weigh-ins as well. Rule of 2 applies – 2 adults per 1 child. 

Proper Identification 

• Membership card should also be available upon registration at any competition. 

• All minors must have a parent sign a waiver (per the CPU insurance provider). 

• There are no restrictions, warranty of exclusion regarding age of participants (also per the CPU insurance provider). 

Scoring 

Athletes will follow CPU guidelines for scoring, adding their one best lift from each category to their final total. The focus should continue to be on proper technique and lifting within their ability. Any athlete who does not complete any lift in a category will be allowed to complete the lifting event to gain experience on the platform. No final total shall be awarded to that athlete. All youth lifters will be allowed to request any increment of 0.5kg for any attempt. 

Lifting Equipment 

• Youth athletes may need access to a lighter lifting bar. 

• For the deadlift, efforts are to be made to ensure that the starting bar height is the same for all athletes. It is recommended that at the Provincial level full diameter (45cm) bumper plates or wooden false plates are to be provided to accomplish this. 

• Full diameter (45cm) bumper plates will be used at Regional and National level meets. 

Lifting Equipment at Regionals and Nationals 

• Y1 & Y2 a 10kg bar may be used. 

• Y3 a 15kg bar may be used. 

• Full diameter (45cm) bumper plates will be used for deadlifts when necessary to ensure the bar height from the floor is the same for all lifters. 

Qualifying Standards 

• There will be no set qualifying total for a Regional or National competition, however the youth athletes must have previously participated in a CPU sanctioned meet and must meet any other Provincial requirements to attend a Regional or National Championships. 

• Any 13-year-old athletes that will turn 14 during the calendar year will have their total from the youth division considered for a spot on the Sub-Junior team. 

Records 

• Each Province will maintain its own records for these age divisions. 

• National records will be established for youth. 

• The competition committee has determined there will not be any record standards established for this division as there is not enough data. 

Drug Testing 

• All members of the CPU are subject to testing conducted by the CCES 

• All lifters in the youth division are exempt from having to complete the True Sport online education module. 

Youth Wishing to Compete at NLPA Provincials

• Any youth wanting to compete at NLPA provincials can do so as a first Meet.

• Any youth wanting to compete at NLPA provincials can do so without a qualifying total.

To compete at NLPA Provincials, athletes must have achieved the following totals in a local meet: