A look back at the 2021 Classic World Championships in Halmstad, Sweden.

What a phenomenal return to international competition in such a difficult year! Nearly 700 lifters from 46 countries around the world travelled to Sweden to put their hopes and dreams on the line on the toughest platform in the world. Countless word records fell across the age categories, from sub-junior right up to Masters 4. 23 new open world records are in the history books. More lifters achieved 110 GL points or higher than ever before. More lifters totalled 900kg+ than at any previous Classic World Championships. Amanda Lawrence pulled the biggest raw deadlift the IPF has ever seen at 260.5kg. The standard of lifting was superb and the athletes gave us a fantastic show across 46 sessions and 11 long days. We even had Prince Daniel of Sweden visit the competition and he showed great interest in the lifting, cheering the athletes on.

It was great to see the world of IPF powerlifting able to come together in person at last. This gave the opportunity to hold the AGM in person once more. The IPF bestowed a Certificate of Honour on Eleiko, a long standing partner of the IPF, especially in these difficult times. We remain hugely grateful to them for allowing us to take over their headquarters for nearly two weeks, supporting the whole powerlifting community by making this competition possible. Further Certificates of Honour were awarded to Eleiko owner, Gunnila Blomberg, Eleiko CEO, Erik Blomberg, and Eleiko Vice President, Andreas Andren.

The IPF and Eleiko took their duty of care very seriously and went to great lengths to ensure that the competition was run in a safe way. 1247 coronovirus tests were conducted at the competition and the 3 positive tests that did occur were quarantined quickly and effectively. Strict covid protocols ensured a safe environment and prevented a super spreader event and we are proud of the hard work that went into making this possible.

As always at international competitions, old friendships were renewed and new ones formed. Veterans battled newcomers and new stars emerged. Despite the restrictions on numbers at the venue, there was a great buzz that ran through the whole event and the message was clear: international powerlifting is BACK.

12th October 2021