Learning the Ropes: Competition Pathways
How to get from training to Nationals and beyond
Levels of competition in Canada
Our mission is to develop and support a sustainable community and competition stream of Para Powerlifting across Canada by providing equitable opportunities, clear classification guidelines, and comprehensive resources. We are committed to recruiting and nurturing athletes from diverse regions and backgrounds, developing coaching and officiating resources, and broadening the reach of and access to strength sports at both the recreational and elite levels. By fostering involvement at all points of entry into the sport and collaborating with and supporting provincial organisations, we aim to expand our athlete base and build a fair, competitive environment that aspires to medal success at the Paralympic level.
In short, we want everyone who qualifies and wishes to compete in this sport to have an opportunity to do so.
Medical eligibility:
For all CanPL events, athletes wishing to participate in Para Powerlifting must present with one of the following disabilities, however no proof or medical evidence is required for CanPL events.
Impaired Muscle Power | Reduced force generated by muscles or muscle groups, such as muscles of one limb or the lower half of the body, as caused, for example, by spinal cord injuries, spina bifida or polio. |
Impaired Passive Range of Movement | Range of movement in one or more joints is reduced permanently, for example due to arthrogryposis. Hypermobility of joints, joint instability, and acute conditions, such as arthritis, are not considered eligible impairments. |
Limb Deficiency | Total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma, illness or congenital limb deficiency. |
Leg Length Difference | Bone shortening in one leg due to congenital deficiency or trauma. |
Short Stature | Reduced standing height due to abnormal dimensions of bones of upper and lower limbs or trunk, for example due to achondroplasia or growth hormone dysfunction. |
Hypertonia | Abnormal increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch, due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. |
Ataxia | Lack of co-ordination of muscle movements due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. |
Athetosis | Generally characterised by unbalanced, involuntary movements and a difficulty in maintaining a symmetrical posture, due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis. |
Athletes wishing to qualify for National Teams should review and understand the WPPO classification process and will be required to work through the classification process prior to competing internationally, but to lift in Canada at local through National Meets, no such process is required.
Local and Provincial meets:
At present, to compete in a local or Provincial level Para Powerlifting Competition, there is no requirement for classification and there are no minimum amounts that an athlete must be able to lift.
Most athletes, both able-bodied and para, use these meets as opportunities to learn competition skills, gain competition experience, meet other lifters, learn the thrill of lifting with a supportive audience, and to plainly and simply have fun with good people while lifting heavy objects.
Local and Provincial meets are where we all start and provide the grass roots opportunity for para lifters to feel welcomed into the sport and to connect with the community.
Regional and National meets:
Not to overstate the obvious, but Canada is a rather large country.
National and Regional Canadian Championships move around the country to different hosts each year. Some locations are easier to get to than others, particularly for those travelling with disabilities. As such, Canada Powerlifting has determined that for the purposes of Para Powerlifting only, Regional and National meets shall form part of the same pathway step towards National Team membership. Athletes may choose from any of the three annual Regional Championships and the annual National Championships to fulfill the CanPL requirements for National Team membership.
As of Jun 1, 2026, the following are the National Qualifying Standards that are used to determine eligibility to participate at Regional and National events.
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For those athletes wishing to advance beyond the Regional and National Level, further information can be found on National Team Requirements here.
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