Powerlifting

Powerlifting is a strength sport that resembles the sport of Olympic weightlifting, as both disciplines involve lifting weights in three attempts. Powerlifting evolved from a sport known as "odd lifts", which followed the same three-attempt format but used a wider variety of events, akin to strongman competition. Eventually odd lifts became standardized to three events: squat, bench press, and deadlift. These may be performed equipped or un-equipped (un-equipped being more commonly referred to as 'raw' lifting that is without the use of certain supportive equipment).

Competitions take place across the world but mostly in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia and Ukraine. It has been a Paralympic sport (benchpress only) since 1984 and under the IPF, is also a World Games sport.

Read more about Powerlifting:  History, Classes and Categories, Competition, Events, Training, Federations, Gyms, Global Database, World Champions