First LGBT International Powerlifting Championships Head to London

Start shopping for your favorite singlet: the first ever LGBT International Powerlifting Championships are coming to London in July 2017.

The strongest LGBT people from around the world will come together for the first ever LGBT International Powerlifting Championships, where organizers are expecting up to 60 participants from across the globe including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Slovenia. Athletes competing will include first time novice lifters through to World Champions and World record holders.

The Championships are the idea of Gay Games Powerlifters Chris Morgan and Dominic Patmore in response to Powerlifting not being included in Gay Games Paris 2018. Powerlifting had been part of Gay Games since it was first held in San Francisco in 1982. The new championships aim to bring LGBT lifters together from across the world to compete, socialize and discuss the future of LGBT Powerlifting.

Co-Promoter Chris Morgan, an eight-time world champion in the sport, said,
"It is very important that LGBT Powerlifters are given the same opportunities as I've enjoyed over the last 18 years in the sport. LGBT lifters are very much a minority in the sport of Powerlifting and it is important that we are able to come together as a group to compete at least once a year. We have never had our own annual international championships, so to bring everyone together in London 2017 will be a very special occasion."

Co-promoter Dominic Patmore, a Gay Games Gold Medalist from Cologne 2010, continued, "London is the perfect location for the world's first LGBT International Powerlifting Championships, with its diverse communities and wealth of visitor attractions. In 2017 the Powerlifting Championships will be happening on the weekend in between the World Para-athletics Championships and the World Athletics Championships, so participants will be visiting a city alive with sporting energy."

Big Ideas

Participants of all abilities are welcome, regardless of age, sexuality, ability, gender and health status as there are no minimum qualifying standards for the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships. The weekend will consist of a free coaching clinic, powerlifting competition, athletes' banquet, congress and closing party sponsored by Eagle Bar and The World Famous Horse Meat Disco, with participants encouraged to come together and meet both new and old friends from within the sport.

The competition itself will take part on Saturday, July 29 at Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club, which was established in 1926 and is well known for its strong commitment to diversity within the communities it serves. Events being offered are Full Powerlifting (Equipped & Unequipped), Single Lift Squat (Equipped & Unequipped), Single Lift Bench (Equipped & Unequipped) and Single Lift Deadlift (Equipped & Unequipped).

The LGBT IPC weekend is happening the weekend before the UK's biggest pride festival so international guests will be able to visit Brighton Pride. Brighton is on England's south coast and only one hour from London by train, giving an ideal opportunity for visitors to extend their stay and make a vacation of their trip to the UK.

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/events/1695602424035594/