Note that for the purposes of this document the following abbreviations will be used:

• IPF = International Powerlifting Federation
• IrishPF = Irish Powerlifting Federation
• WADA = World Anti-Doping Authority
• NGB = National Governing Body

Who can join the Irish Powerlifting Federation?

There are some basic requirements to join the IrishPF:

1. You must be 14 years of age or older
2. You must have permission from your legal guardian if you are under 18 years of age
3. You must not be currently subject to a disciplinary sanction, suspension, or ban from any IPF affiliate
4. You must not be currently subject to a disciplinary sanction, suspension, or ban from any WADA-approved body
5. You must not be a member of another IPF-affiliate. If you wish to transfer your membership to IrishPF, please contact the General Secretary

If you satisfy these requirements, you can apply for IrishPF Membership.

All applications for membership are reviewed by the IrishPF Committee.

The IrishPF Committee reserves the right to refuse membership for any reason.

 

Do I have to be an Irish citizen to join the Irish Powerlifting Federation?

No. We welcome people from all over the world to join and compete with us, subject to the criteria above.

There are some additional restrictions when it comes to competing at National-level Events and being selected for the National Team (see below). However, these will not affect the vast majority of lifters who simply wish to compete at an open level. National-level events are clearly marked as such on the calendar.

 

Do I have to live in Ireland to join the Irish Powerlifting Federation?

No. We have several lifters who travel to Ireland to compete due to their Irish roots or just the fact they love our competitions. As long as you meet the criteria above, you are welcome at our competitions.

There are some additional restrictions when it comes to competing at National-level Events and being selected for the National Team (see below) however these will not affect the vast majority of lifters who simply wish to compete and challenge themselves. National-level events are clearly marked as such on the calendar.

 

What if I’m a member of another International Powerlifting Federation affiliate?

As per Article 14.9 of the IPF Constitution and By-Laws, an “athlete can only be a member of one national powerlifting federation to prevent instances of conflict of interest and to ensure the principles of anti-doping are followed in accordance with the WADA Code.” 

“However, after obtaining membership in one National Member Federation and the athlete chooses to obtain membership in another National Member Federation, they must first initiate the IPF Transfer to Another IPF Federation Process via their current National Member Federation.”

Please contact the General Secretary for more information.

 

What if I’m a member of another powerlifting federation that is not affiliated with the International Powerlifting Federation?

We are affiliated with the EPF and the IPF and these associations provide Irish athletes with a path to international competitions such as EPF European Championships and IPF World Championships. In order to maintain our affiliation with these federations, and to continue to send Irish athletes to the international competitions, we are bound by their rules.

The IPF have specific guidance, under Article 14 of the Constitution and By-Laws, around participation in other federations/ events. The rule states that members cannot take part in events that are not sanctioned by an IPF-affiliate or they risk being made ineligible to compete at National or International level for 12 months. If you are only lifting at regional level, then this rule isn’t going to affect you in terms of this eligibility but we want to remind our members that you are still taking a risk by taking part in non-WADA affiliated events.

With the welcomed increase in options to lift in Ireland, we understand it will be a difficult road for some people to navigate and are happy to talk to lifters about their individual circumstances privately. Ultimately, all anybody wants is to compete, watch our sport grow, and keep building our domestic community, but international affiliation must also be respected. 

We hope that you will compete with the IrishPF and we also wish you the best of luck wherever you compete.

 

Am I eligible to compete at National-level Events and/or be selected for the National Team to represent Ireland?

(Note: Qualifying totals and criteria for other age categories for 2026 to be updated soon)

In order to compete at Open Nationals, a lifter must:

1. Hit the minimum qualifying total standard*
2. Hit a “Top 7” total in their weight class at any IrishPF, EPF or IPF competition in the qualifying period (N.B. winners of the previous Nationals Championship auto-qualify) OR have received an invite based on remaining invite slots.
3. Be eligible to be selected for an international competition.

 

In order to be considered for International selection, a lifter must:

1. Have competed in a National IrishPF or international (EPF and IPF) competition in the twelve months preceding selection/ invitation. (Note: this may not apply to wild card** selection)
2. Have clear ties and connections to Ireland and the IrishPF as defined by:
   • Must have been born on the island of Ireland, OR
   • Must reside on the island of Ireland for the twelve*** months preceding selection / invitation, OR
   • Must hold an Irish passport.
3. Not have competed in an International event sanctioned by the International Powerlifting Federation, or any of the IPF’s Regional Federations, representing any other National Federation in the preceding six (6) months.
   • For the purposes of this criteria, representing Northern Ireland in the British Powerlifting Home Nations event shall not make a lifter ineligible as the IrishPF consider this event to be a Regional Championship within British Powerlifting.
   • For the purposes of this criteria, representing Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships shall make a lifter ineligible as the IrishPF consider this event to be an International Championship competing against other IPF National Federations.

Please note that International selection is never guaranteed. A team is selected for each International Championships by the IrishPF Head Coach and their Assistant Coaches based on all relevant criteria including, but not limited to: recent performances, prior contributions to the International team, projected contributions to the International team, impact on team morale, expected administrative burden, and more.

*Minimum Qualifying Totals by Weight Class (Open Nationals)

U47 – 285kg

U52 – 307.5kg

U57 – 325kg

U63 – 387.5kg

U69 – 410kg

U76 – 385kg

U84 – 400kg

84+ – 400kg 

U59 – 490kg

U66 – 537.5kg

U74 – 587.5kg

U83 – 627.5kg

U93 – 690kg

U105 – 727.5kg

U120 – 732.5kg

120+ – 760kg

**WILD CARD SELECTION

A wild card allows the head coach to invite athletes who may not have qualified through the standard invite rounds but still have potential to contribute to the national team. Wild card invitations are offered at the very end of the invite rounds system, once all spots for lifters who have qualified traditionally are filled. A wild card does not take away a spot from someone who has already earned their qualification by meeting the established criteria.
One of the unique aspects of the wild card system is that wild cards can be invited to compete in the weight class above or below their weight class at their most recent national or international competition upon meeting the weight class change eligibility criteria.

A wild card can also be someone who is already part of the team. For example, an athlete who has already accepted an invitation for one weight class to an international competition would be an eligible wildcard weight change candidate if they meet the following criteria. 

Wild card weight change eligibility criteria: 


Invited to the higher weight class:
For a wild card athlete to be eligible for an invitation to compete in the weight class above they must have met the qualifying total for that upper weight class.
E.g 93kg lifter has hit the 105kg national standard total and has accepted their invite to compete as a 93kg lifter. All 105s who have hit the standard have been invited first and there remains a space available. This lifter would be eligible to be invited to compete in the 105kg class for the International championship. 



Invited to the lower weight class:
To be eligible for an invitation to compete in the lower weight class, the athlete must have weighed in within 2% of the weight class below and totalled above the standard of that lower weight class at their last national or international competition.
E.g 57kg lifter weighed in at nationals at 53.04kg and totalled above the 52kg standard. This lifter would be eligible for wild card selection as an u52kg on the national team. 

Meeting wildcard weight class change eligibility does not automatically grant invitation. The decision to offer a wild card invite is ultimately at the discretion of the head coach. Athletes do not have the ability to request a weight class change.

The head coach will evaluate the overall team composition and the lifter’s ability to contribute in the new weight class before making this decision. Lifters who have declined their initial invite cannot be considered as a wild card option.

*** An appeal may be brought to the EC on this point, e.g. international students who do not stay in Ireland for a full 12 months