2026 USA Masters Weightlifting National Championships

USA Masters Weightlifting National Championships - a IMWA World Masters and Pan American Masters Qualifier!

Qualifying Period - There are NO qualifying totals this year.

Entry Fees:

Early Registration fees per lifter $ 159.00 through 12/31/2025 (plus Eventbrite fees)

Regular Entry $ 175.00 (through 2/21/2026)

Late Entry $ 275.00 (2/22/2026 - 3/1/2026)

Refundable Registration (through 12/31/25) $ 275.00

ADAPTIVE athletes are welcome to enter this event in a verified category as defined by IMWA.- please email your adaptive entry (Found here) to [email protected].

​NO REFUNDS unless Refundable Registration is purchased! No Event TRANSFERS!

Team Entry

New Team Awards -

Co-Ed Team Entry - Up to 5 lifters male and 5 lifters female, 1 reserve each -$75 team entry.

Regular Team -10 lifters, 3 reserves -fee is $75.00.

You MAY NOT enter the same athletes on Co-Ed and Regular team rosters.

Each lifter on the team roster must submit an individual entry indicating he represents this club. Each team is only allowed 2 team members competing in the same age group and body weight category. Team entries must be submitted (paid) by March 24, 2025. Final Team Rosters are due in the hands of the Competition Secretary no later than 7:00 PM the day before the start of the event.

Athletes and spectators will enjoy Les Simonton’s electronic scoring, professional photo packages and live webcast.

NO COACHING REGISTRATION REQUIRED! However, athletes will only be allowed 2 coaches in the warm up room. Entry to this event IS HANDLED by the VENUE and there IS a spectator charge. HOWEVER, the Little Rock CVB will cover competing athletes and one coach plus 2 free spectator passes with confirmed stay at Official Meet hotels. Additional spectator fees are $15/DAY. Credentials will be issued for all athletes. As always, we ask that only the athlete and his/her coach are in the warm up area. Family, teammates and friends should be in the spectator areas only. Athletes and coaches are allowed in the warm up area no earlier than 30 min prior to their scheduled session.

No outside food or beverage will be allowed (small snacks and sport drinks may be brought in inside the athletic bag).

Official Meet Hotels:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel Link ($119)Comfort Inn & Suites Presidential ($119)Holiday Inn Presidential ($106)

IMWA RULES:

IWWA Rulebook can be reviewed here:

It is the athlete’s responsibility to be aware of current rules including any recent changes. USAMW abides by IMWA rules unless specifically stated otherwise.

TRAINING HALL:

Official Training Hall: Inside the venue available Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS:

YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! Technical Officials and Loader Sign Up Available

​USA Masters Weightlifting MEMBERSHIP:

USA Masters Weightlifting Membership is required for all competitors. Membership will be verified. Current photo ID will be required at weigh in. You can purchase membership here: https://usamasterswl.webpoint.us/

THIS IS SEPARATE FROM USAW MEMBERSHIP!

​TECHNICAL MEETING:

The technical meeting will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 PM in Venue. Verification of entries (changing weight classes) must be made online by Monday (March 23) at 6:30 PM. Email [email protected] for changes.

​COMPETITION SCHEDULE AND START LIST:

Competition will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The final lifting schedule will be set after the final verification of entries. You do NOT need to be present at the verification meeting in order to change weight classes. You may make your weight class changes by email at any point prior to the meeting. The schedule will follow the historical organization for masters’ events: the oldest lifters will compete on the first day and the youngest lifters will lift last on Sunday. A tentative schedule will be posted by the USA Masters competition secretary approximately 1 week after the entry deadline.

WEIGHT CATEGORIES AND DIVISIONS:

Masters age divisions will apply 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+

WEIGH IN Rules: Athletes must bring valid picture ID for verification. Athletes weigh in nude or in undergarments. Singlets, T-shirts, shorts, shoes, socks, watch, etc. are not allowed.

Weight Classes:

men 60, 65, 71, 79, 88, 94, 102, 110, 110+ (102 counts for USA only)

women 48, 53, 58, 63, 69, 77, 86, 86+

​WEIGHT CATEGORY CHANGE:

Please note that according to USAMW rules, an athlete may increase or decrease his/her body weight category at the Verification of Entries meeting (before the Technical Meeting). After the technical meeting an athlete may increase, but may not decrease his/her body weight category. An athlete who does not make weight or chooses to go up at weigh in MUST go to the regular weigh in and remain in that session for competition. Results will still be counted as usual.

​DRUG TESTING AND DOPING CONTROL:

Pursuant to the rules of USA Masters Weightlifting, these championships are a drug-tested event. The number of tests administered will depend on the number of entries received for the championships. Drug testing is conducted by Drug Free Sport.

Photos by can be purchased in advance. Link will be emailed along with the LIVESTREAM link.

SUPER TOTAL OPPORTUNITY

There will be a SUPER TOTAL opportunity at this event. Athletes who wish to compete will perform the DEADLIFT on the final session of the day they compete. Additional Awards will be given per age group based on formula, for 1st through 5th place. You may not enter deadlift event without competing in the Olympic lifts.

Deadlift Rules: All lifters use 20kg Olympic bar. No hitching, no straps, no lubricant or powder. The lifting order is by previous lot number and weight on the bar using the rounds system. Athletes will have 3 attempts. Deadlift shoes may be worn. Knee high socks will not be required. Sumo style and reverse grip is permitted. Purchase the ADD ON Deadlift Ticket.

AWARDS:

Medals will be presented to first, second, and third place for snatch, clean and jerk, and total. Best Lifter for each age group, male and female-Grand Master award for male and female-Team awards for first, second and third place, male and female.

TWO NEW OUTSTANDING LIFTER AWARDS:

The Paul Anderson Award will be given for the male and female who lift the most weight outright.The Barbara Conley Award will be given for the male and female who lift the highest percentage of their bodyweight.

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