The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) 2023 World Masters Powerlifting Championships will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from October 8-15, 2023. A total of 424 veteran athletes from around the world will take part in this event, which has been running for more than 40 years.
The contest begins with five days of raw lifting and closes with three days of equipped lifting in which participants can choose to use squat suits, knee wraps, bench shirts, and deadlift suits. Some hearty souls compete in both the classic and the equipped events — a challenging turnaround time.
The IPF recognizes four categories of Masters lifters:
- Masters 1 (M1) — age 40 – 49
- Masters 2 (M2) — age 50 – 59
- Masters 3 (M3) — age 60 – 69
- Masters 4 (M4) — age 70 and above
[Related: Standout Moments From the 2023 IPF Junior World Championships]
How to Watch the 2023 IPF World Masters
- Live Stream: Asian Powerlifting YouTube Channel
Athletes to Watch
Below are two athletes slated to compete who are likely to contend for the top of their respective podiums:
Kimberly Walford, Raw 76KG
Kimberly Walford is one of the highest-achieving lifters of her generation. Seven-time IPF Open world champion, she has held Masters and Open world records in four weight classes. Known for her heavy deadlifts, her Open world record deadlift of 240 kilograms (529 pounds) in the 69-kilogram class still stands.
Walford competed at the Masters World Championships for the first time in 2022 in St John’s, Canada, winning the title as well as the M1 best lifter trophy. At that contest, she broke the M1 deadlift world record in the 76-kilogram class with a massive 244.5 kilograms (539 pounds). Check out the lift below:
Walford is nominated well ahead of the rest of the field in the M1 76-kilogram class in 2023; well-placed to secure the best lifter trophy for the second straight year.
LS McClain, Raw 105KG
Big bencher LS McClain won the IPF classic world title in the 93-kilogram class in 2017 and 2018. The 2022 World Masters was his first foray into international Masters lifting, and he won his class convincingly; claiming the best lifter award as well. Can he also make it two for two at the World Masters? Take a look at his meet recap here:
McClain holds the M1 bench press world record in the 93-kilogram class with 220 kilograms (485 pounds), set at the 2019 IPF World Championships in Sweden. He has lifted in the 105-kilogram class since then.
The record in this class is 224.5 kilograms (495 pounds). McClain missed an attempt at it at the 2022 North American Regional Powerlifting Championships in Panama. Still, he could be in range for another shot this time.
Full Livestream Schedule
Author’s Note: All times are local (GMT+8). The schedule is subject to change.
Sunday, October 8 — Classic
- M4 men — 9:00 a.m.
- Opening Ceremony — 12:00 noon
- M3 & M4 women — 1:00 p.m.
- M3 men up to 83KG — 5:00 p.m
Monday, October 9 — Classic
- M3 men 93KG and above — 9:00 a.m.
- M2 women up to 57KG — 12:00 noon
- M2 men up to 74KG — 4:00 p.m
Tuesday, October 10 — Classic
- M2 men 83KG & 93KG — 9:00 a.m.
- M2 women 63KG and above — 12:00 noon
- M2 men 105KG and above — 5:00 p.m
Wednesday, October 11 — Classic
- M1 men up to 74KG — 9:00 a.m.
- M1 women up to 63KG — 1:00 p.m.
- M1 men 83KG & 93KG — 5:30 p.m
Thursday, October 12 — Classic
- M1 men 105KG and above — 9:00 a.m.
- M1 women 69KG and above — 1:00 p.m.
Friday, October 13 — Equipped
- M4 men — 10:00 a.m.
- M3 & M4 women — 1:00 p.m.
- M3 men — 4:00 p.m
Saturday, October 14 — Equipped
- M2 men up to 93KG — 9:00 a.m.
- M2 women — 12 noon.
- M2 men 105KG and above — 5:00 p.m
Sunday, October 15 — Equipped
- M1 men up to 93KG — 8:00 a.m.
- M1 women — 12 noon
- M1 men 105KG and above — 4:00 p.m
The full roster with nominated totals is available at http://goodlift.info/live.php.
Feature image from @theipf Instagram page.
