Who can compete in para powerlifting?
A · Advanced · Athletes and categories · 1 of 4Athletes need one of eight physical impairments, such as limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or short stature, affecting the lower limbs or hips enough to meet the minimum criteria. There is only one sport class: everyone eligible competes together, divided only by gender and bodyweight. Exceptions for an athlete's impairment, such as strap placement, need approval as codes of exception.
How it works
- Eight impairments: physical only.
- Lower limbs or hips: always affected.
- Minimum criteria: must be met.
- One class: everyone together.
- Divided by: gender and bodyweight.
- Codes of exception: approved through WPPO.
- Examples: shoes, straps, locked elbows.
- Not eligible: vision or intellectual impairment.
The glossary has the eligible impairments (para powerlifting), the sport class (para powerlifting), the codes of exception (para powerlifting), the bench straps, the bodyweight categories and the para powerlifting.
Tricky cases
Can a lifter who cannot fully lock the elbows compete?
Yes, with an approved code of exception.
Is there a class for amputees?
No. All eligible athletes share one class.
Can a blind athlete compete?
No. Vision impairment is not eligible.
Where are exceptions applied for?
On the WPPO website.
Why the rule exists
The bench press uses the arms and chest, so a leg impairment does not affect it much. One class works because the test isolates the upper body.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Para powerlifting | One class | CP |
| Codes of exception | Individual approval | 16.1.3, 23.1 |
| Divisions | Gender and weight | 10.1.2 |
From the rule book
World Para Powerlifting, Rules and Regulations 2025, version 1 (1 May 2025), rules 10.1.2, 16.1.3 and 23.1, with the IPC page Classification in Para Powerlifting. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WPPO Rules and Regulations 2025.