In 2020, we released an article detailing the powerlifting meets one can join in Singapore with the intent of updating it every year. This year, circumstances have changed and so we’re talking about virtual meets instead.
what are virtual meets?
Meets are social events in which one can showcase their strengths and meet like-minded folks in the community. Virtual meets seek to retain this spirit through an online medium. Given the nature of the virtual platform, these meets cannot be officially sanctioned, though there is some indication that the IPF will be moving towards that direction in some capacity which remains to be seen. Here are some prominent virtual meets from last year:
world para powerlifting online world cup series
The World Para Powerlifting Online World Cup Series was organized by World Para Powerlifting as a series of 5 unofficial competitions, running from April to November. Athletes earn ranking points by participating in each competition, with the overall winner receiving a prize World Para Powerlifting Eleiko bar. Alongside the main event, there was also a Fantasy Team Game in which fans attempted to predict the results.
Taken from: @parapowerlifting
With the introduction of the integrated Eleiko WPPO Powerlifting Competition Bars and the ability to livestream data on the competition stage, we may see online competitions in a sanctioned capacity in the future.
Cool point: the integrated Eleiko WPPO bar brings new possibilities for the future of powerlifting
TSG virtual meet
In response to the cancellation of powerlifting competitions across the world, The Strength Guys hosted the TSG Virtual Meet from 15-18 October 2020. Internationally accredited IPF referees were invited as volunteer officials for the unofficial competition, with attractive prizes put up for the best lifters of the meet. In total, 49 competitors participated in the meet.
Taken from: @thestrengthguys
Cool point: the folks at TSG put together a really good set of guidelines and rules of engagement for a virtual meet
lift Together 2020
The first powerlifting charity event to be live streamed on Twitch, Lift Together 2020 showcased feats of physical strength and meme fun by prominent powerlifters in the North American scene. Spectators could tune in and donate on the stream to have lifters perform feats and games. Included too were a series of discussions and personal sharing on technique, nutrition, mental health and racial equity. A total of USD$27,410 was raised for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and The Equity Alliance.
Taken from: @lifttogether4charity
Cool point: it’s just awesome and overall a well thought-out series with the use of Twitch livestream engagement and donations for a good cause.
so, why talk about virtual meets?
With the current situation, events have been slowly returning to the scene, the earliest of which was the Singapore National Weightlifting Championship 2020 in December 2020, followed by the Singapore Weightlifting Open 2021 in March 2021. The SWO 2021 had a maximum capacity of 80 participants.
Taken from: @swfsg
Furthermore, it has been announced starting from the 24th of April that Sport Singapore will be supervising the gradual return of sport events. All sport events involving more than 50 persons (participants, spectators, officials, event crew and support staff included) will need to be endorsed beforehand. With the opening up of vaccinations to the general populace, the future looks good for the resumption of physical powerlifting meets.
At the same time, powerlifting has grown immensely within the same timeframe. Even before the pandemic, meets held by the Singapore Powerlifting Alliance and Powerlifting Singapore were facing capacity issues with how many applicants signing up. This is a happy problem to have, but one that is likely going to continue for the foreseeable future. Unofficial meets have popped up to meet this demand, but they all face the same issue of rising logistical and rental space costs. Given the increased administrative and logistical needs of the next sanctioned powerlifting meet, it is likely that costs will rise to cover the new measures. Not only does this indicate an increased barrier to entry for our young sport, it also decreases the opportunities and experiences one could accumulate before stepping onto a more competitive stage.
A virtual meet would help alleviate some of these issues, and it is quite feasible here. Powerlifting has always been driven heavily by online communities and social media, and most folks get their information on powerlifting through such means, second-hand through others. It is not far-fetched to imagine a virtual meet working well in the local scene. Not only does it help to reduce some of the common anxieties one might face stepping onto the competitive stage for the first time, it also serves to bring folks who are on the fence into the sport in a comfortable manner.
why even bother with meets amidst the current situation?
For a community, the meet serves as a touchpoint for lifters within the sport to come together and support one another. For handlers, coaches, volunteers and officials, one primary reason why they put in the effort is to see others achieve their own sense of meaning on the platform. With the situation as it currently is, we are privileged to lift with our training partners and friends. Quite a few new lifters have also joined the scene and are itching to test themselves. Not only would it be a good chance to test out the virtual meet format and give the newcomers a taste of what powerlifting is like, it would help give meet organizers an idea of what’s to come next.
It is the goal for many of us powerlifters – to showcase our strength and all our hard work as we mentioned. But looking at it from another perspective, with many new powerlifters being eager to make their entrance, and experienced lifters showcasing all the gains they’ve farmed, wouldn’t that mean that the standards of powerlifting in Singapore will continue to rise even amidst this unknown time? Undoubtedly, we are expecting that the next upcoming meet will be highly sought after. Competitiveness will rise, and the powerlifting scene will continue to grow.
Some may say you aren’t a full fledged powerlifter until you compete in a meet. Participating in a meet, be it as a lifter, handler, spotters & loaders, referees, or any other volunteer roles, is a valuable experience for any powerlifters. But in this uncertain time, it is hard to be sure whether or not any physical meets will be organized by the federations in Singapore and it appears that virtual competition might be a higher possibility. All things said, with all the new and current lifters being hungry to compete, we are highly optimistic for what’s to come in the powerlifting scene in Singapore. Who knows, a group of enthusiastic lifters might even step up and organize a virtual meet 😉
what does this look like at the end of the day?
From here on, details regarding organization will be based entirely on conjecture.
The virtual meet will be held over a period of a week to spread out participation. Lifters can gather in small groups of 4 to 6 with their friends and spot/load for one another. Where possible, local clubs and gyms are critical in providing logistics and grouping lifters together.
Refereeing of the lifts will be done purely through video submission to volunteer referees, with a set range of angles/heights from which to record from. For those who train in public gyms, the lifts will have to be split up to accommodate the time slots. Otherwise, performance of the lifts should follow local federations’ rules as closely as possible.
Lifters will self-organize themselves, spot, load & give the commands for their friends. Local clubs and gyms can provide a space. Volunteers will help to vet the video submissions. Organizers will cover the administration of allocating slots and announcing the rules of engagement.
Essentially, you, the reader, will organize the virtual meet.
what if i'm interested? how do i know others will be keen?
You don’t, and neither do we. The first step is to talk to others around you to see if this event can happen. Know any interested lifter, spotter, volunteer, club, or official? Talk to them. We are sure that the federations are working hard to figure out how to reimplement physical meets as well. Talk to them if you have any ideas.
Let’s see what we can do.
Further questions? Feel free to contact us at [email protected].
disclaimers
This article is a reflection of our opinions and should not be used as factual information.