Sunday, 19. June 2011
IPF Classics Powerlifting World Cup (unequipped)
Category: World
Dear Powerlifting Friends,
“To 'raw', or not to 'raw', that is the question!”
Now the IPF has answered that very question. As have many lifters and countries througout the world, who have enthusiastically welcomed the raw competion format.
And so, the first IPF Unequipped World Cup will be hosted in
Sweden in 2012.
This historic event well behooves a quick preview as well as dispelling rumors kicking about, instilling the true intentions of our federation and the organizers.
First, let's take a look at what is “unequipped”. Generally called “raw” in our powerlifting community, it means lifting without the assistance of any supportive gear such as squat suits and bench shirts, etc. The word “raw” in the dictionary means: “simple, natural, classic, plain, uncluttered, unembellished”. And the essence of that definition is exactly what the IPF and the organizers had in mind when we announced next year's Unequipped World Cup. The Swedish organizers chose to name it “IPF Classic Powerlifting”. Well, they are the brave ones, the pioneers with the drive and initiative to boldly bring this kind of lifting to the international powerlifting scene, so they have the right to name it, don't you agree? So it is called “IPF Classic” in our terminology. The rules set out for it you can find here:
http://powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/Championships/IPF_CLASSIC-Rules.pdf
The setting and circumstances of this event are nothing short of spectacular per reports from Sweden. The venue is in Stockholm with a brand new hotel 7 minutes walk from the competition hall. The area is teeming with restaurants while the underground (one of the best modes of transport in the city) is just 3 minutes away. In 2012 Sweden's capital (that's Stockholm for those who missed their geography classes way back) will host the 100th anniversary celebrations in honor of the 1912 Stockholm Olympic games. So festivities won't be lacking for sure.
Add to that the fact that powerlifting in Scandinavia and Sweden is traditionally extremely popular, lifters often compete with a full-house, vocal crowd cheering them to greater and greater performance. True viking style!
Raw lifting is not without an already successful track record within the IPF. Many countries have already held extremely popular and high class unequipped competitions at national level. This kind of lifting is clearly so much in demand that the IPF has decided to bring it to the international platform.
And here comes your part: We would like you to tell us how you plan to participate in this vital and vibrant IPF Classic movement. Tell us if you are planning to come to Sweden, or if you are doing some other things in your area to further promote IPF unequipped powerlifting. The IPF belongs to you personally. Whatever your role in powerlifting, be it lifter, coach, referee, fan, official, you are a shareholder of the IPF. And your opinions and voice do count! Whatever you have to say, it's welcome, it helps us to make the sport better. So shoot your e-mails to marketing@ipf-powerlifting.com or just comment on the webpage in the forum, or the IPF Fan page on Facebook.
We have so much more to tell you about unequipped IPF competitions, their possible ramifications for Olympic recognition and, in our hopes, creating a greater unity in powerlifting. And many, many more... But first things first.
The clarion call of IPF Classic Powerlifting has been given. It is waiting to be answered by those thousands of you out there by giving us your feedback and ideas on all of this.
Master Shakespeare, allow us to borrow and slightly modify your famous line for our humble powerlifting uses here:
To “raw”, or not to “raw”, aye that is the point,
To Die, to sleepe, is that all?...
Best regards,
IPF Marketing
