International Para Powerlifting competition is finally coming stateside. The 2022 World Powerlifting Parapan American Championships (WPPAC) will be hosted by the William D.Purser, DC Center on the campus of Logan University in Chesterfield, MO, from July 8-11, 2022. It marks the US’s first time hosting an international Para Powerlifting contest, and it will feature 20 individual medal events and one mixed team event.
Athletes from North America, South America, and Central America will compete in the bench press discipline across 20 weight categories (10 male and 10 female). Those seeking to qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games must participate in the 2022 WPPAC. Logan University is home to USA Para Powerlifting (USAPP).
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Para Powerlifting
The 2022 WPPAC will feature athletes from eight eligible physical impairment categories competing in the bench press discipline. The following weight categories will be featured at the 2022 WPPAC:
Male Divisions
- 49 Kilograms
- 54 Kilograms
- 59 Kilograms
- 65 Kilograms
- 72 Kilograms
- 80 Kilograms
- 88 Kilograms
- 97 Kilograms
- 107 Kilograms
- +107 Kilograms
Female Divisions
- 41 Kilograms
- 45 Kilograms
- 50 Kilograms
- 55 Kilograms
- 61 kilograms
- 67 Kilograms
- 73 Kilograms
- 79 Kilograms
- 86 Kilograms
- +86 Kilograms
The 2022 WPPAC is the second of four Regional Championships in 2022. Pyeongtaek, South Korea, will host the 2022 Asia Oceania Open Championships from June 14-20, 2022. The 2022 European Open Championships will take place from Sept. 24-29, 2022, in Tbilisi, Georgia, and the 2022 African Open Championships will be held from Sept. 1-4, 2022, in a location yet to be announced.
There were eight international Para Powerlifting contests in 2021, according to World Para Powerlifting:
2021 Para Powerlifting — International Contests
- 2021 Tbilisi WPPO Senior Championships
- 2021 Tbilisi WPPO Junior Championships
- 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games
- 2021 Dubai Para Powerlifting World Cup
- 2021 Tbilisi Para Powerlifting World Cup
- 2021 Bangkok Para Powerlifting World Cup
- 2021 Manchester Para Powerlifting World Cup
- 2021 Bogota Para Powerlifting World Cup
The 2022 WPPAC is free and open to the public to view live in person. Those who wish to volunteer at the event can fill out an application online on the Logan University website — roles are available starting July 1, 2022.
Editor’s Note: BarBend is an official media provider for World Para Powerlifting. The two organizations maintain editorial independence unless otherwise noted on specific content projects.
Featured image: @parapowerlifting on Instagram
