The European Powerlifting Federation (EPF) 2023 European Classic Championships (ECC) will be held in Tartu, Estonia, from Dec. 4-9, 2023. The eighth edition of the 2023 EPF ECC will feature 212 athletes from all over Europe contending for the mantle of European Champion.

Although the EPF has a long history of powerlifting dating back to 1978, classic (or “raw”) competitions were not introduced until 2015. Originally held as a combined event with Sub-Junior (age 14-18) and Junior (age 20-23) categories, the competition grew too large to manage. As of 2023, the Open category is a stand-alone contest.

As a result of this change, the contest moved from December to March 2024. This gives European athletes a short turnaround until the next European Classic, which will be held in Velika Gorica, Croatia, from March 12-17, 2024.

[Related: 2023 IPF Equipped World Championships Results]

Athletes to Watch

Below are world record holders and champion competitors to pay attention to in Estonia:

• Panagiotis Tarinidis (FRA) — 66KG — Two-time world champion
• Kjell Egil Bakkelund (NOR) — 74KG — Multiple-time world champion, raw and equipped
• Anatolii Novopismennyi (UKR) — 105KG —  Four time world champion
• Temur Samarkharadze (GEO) — 120+KG — current Junior world champion 
• Bobbie Butters (GBR) — squat world record holder
• Sonita Muluh (BEL) — squat world record holder

[Related: Rudy Kadlub (100KG) Sets Masters Raw (w/Wraps) World Record Total of 590 Kilograms]

Full Livestream Schedule

All sessions listed below will be available to watch for free on the EPF’s YouTube channel.

Note: All times EET. The schedule is subject to change.

Monday, December 4

• Women 47KG, 52KG — 10:00 a.m.
• Opening Ceremony — 2:00 p.m.
• Men up to 74KG — 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 5

• Women 57KG & Men 83KG ‘B’ Groups — 11:00 a.m.
• Women 57KG & Men 83KG ‘A’ Groups — 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 6

• Women 63KG & Men 93KG ‘B’ Groups — 11:00 a.m.
• Women 63KG & Men 93KG ‘A’ Groups — 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 7

• Women 69KG & Men 105KG ‘B’ Groups — 11:00 a.m.
• Women 69KG & Men 105KG ‘A’ Groups — 3:00 p.m.

Friday, December 8

• Women 76KG & Men 120KG ‘B’ Groups — 11:00 a.m.
• Women 76KG & Men 120KG ‘A’ Groups — 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 9

• Women 84KG & 84+KG — 10:00 a.m.
• Men 120+KG — 2:30 p.m.

The EPF is a regional affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), so IPF world records are breakable at this competition. With so many world record holders in attendance, it is possible the record books undergo a large overhaul at the conclusion of this contest. The full roster with nominated totals is available on Goodlift.info/live.php.

Featured image: @the_epf on Instagram