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Robert Keller
IPF Cat I Referee
Member, IPF Tech.Comm.
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Technical Report -- Powerlines #36
Dear members of USA Powerlifting:
We are nearly through the summer of 2007, and since my last article, there have been some interesting changes and developments that have taken place both nationally and internationally regarding the technical rules. However, before proceeding into my article for this issue of Powerlines, I would like to first congratulate Harold Gaines, Rick Fowler, and Rob Campbell for directly a simply "great" Men's National Championship in St. Louis, Missouri! Harold Gaines, backed up by an army of volunteers, and Rick Fowler, the Missouri State Chairman, ensured that our 25th anniversary event was an impressive show that a lot of us will remember for a very long time to come.
I must also take the opportunity to compliment the athletes that took part this year as well. The level of competition in some of the classes was tremendous to watch and see. As a true fan of the sport, my seat at the jury table, allowed me to have a front row seat to watch some of the best lifters in the world compete for a spot on the coveted Men's USA Team that will take part at the Open World Powerlifting Championships in Soelden, Austria this fall. Please allow me to offer my congratulations and compliments to each of the class winners, and world team members - I wish each of you great success this year.
In this issue of Powerlines, I plan to address the following topics. They are:
1. USAPL Technical Committee
2. Raw/Unequipped Lifting - Update
3. Mandatory National Platform Specifications
4. IPF Referee Renewal 2008
5. USAPL Rulebook
6. New IPF Referees
7. IPF Congress & T.C. Newsletter
8. IPF Powerlifting Bar Specifications - 2008
9. Closing Remarks
USAPL Technical Committee
There has been a change in the make up of the committee, and the [sine qua non] is this - The USAPL Technical Committee was reformatted to better serve the organization members, as well as the mission and goals of USA Powerlifting. I will be naming a new committee the first week of September. To the chagrin of some, the committee is and has always been an ad-hoc "working group" of volunteers with the sole purpose of working on projects delegated to me by the President, Vice-president and/or Executive Committee of USA Powerlifting. Overall, the mission and goals of this committee are to provide our athletes with the best possible technical standards at all of our championships.
Raw/Unequipped Lifting - Update
At this year's National Governing Body [NGB], a motion was put forth to redefine what raw/unequipped lifting will look like at our championships. The end result of the discussion and vote at the NGB were two things: 1] The USAPL now defines raw/unequipped lifting as using only a singlet, belt, wrist wraps and knee sleeves. Now, a word on knee sleeves. At this point in time, as an organization we are going to accept ALL commercial grade knee sleeves until notified differently. 2] The USAPL will now move raw/unequipped lifting from the local/state level to the national level. On this note, Harold Gaines will direct the first ever raw/unequipped national championships during July 2008, in St. Louis. Any further questions, or clarification pertaining to raw/unequipped lifting, please feel free to contact me directly at: rhk@verizon.net.
National Championship Platform Specifications
The NGB voted and passed a motion that requires for there to be a [platform construction standard] for all of our National Championships. The Technical Committee was charged to determine the necessary build and construction standard. As outlined in the motion, the USAPL Technical Committee will prepare and outline the platform standards and upload them onto the technical committee webpage. This will be completed in the next several weeks, if not sooner.
IPF Referee Certification 2008
As a kind and gentle reminder, if you're an international referee, please take note that IPF Category I and II credentials are up for renewal this year. Key and important, referees are required to have a minimum of at least four [4] National or International [Powerlifting] Championships between the years 2004 - 2007 to be granted renewal. Please contact either Bill Clayton or me, if you have any questions regarding renewal of your credentials. Bill and I would like to have all of the applications to Goran Gunnarsson, the IPF Referee Registrar by October 01, 2007.
USAPL Referee Rulebook
As of the writing of this newsletter, the USAPL Rulebook is nearly complete and up to date. It is my understanding that the rulebook has not been updated since 1998. Clearly, way past due! Once complete, the updated rulebook will be uploaded onto the Technical Committee webpage. I will report more on this in my next technical newsletter.
New IPF Referees
I would like to both commend both Mr. Johnny Graham and Ms. Erin Dickey for passing their IPF referee examinations. Johnny took his IPF Category I examination at the NAPF North American Regional Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Erin took her IPF Category II examination at the Pan-American Championships in San Paulo, Brazil. I believe, next to Jenn Maile, Erin is likely to be the youngest person ever to pass the examination. She did so with an overall score of 98% -- Super job. Also, I believe Johnny officiated three [3] of the six [6] sessions in Guatemala, which was instrumental in the overall success and direction of the championship. Unquestionably, he is one of thee best officials in USA Powerlifting.
IPF T.C. Newsletter + IPF Congress
I have enclosed below John Stephenson's latest IPF Technical Newsletter. He addressees some very interesting matters in terms of the IPF Technical Rules. Also, each year, at the World Championships, the IPF Congress is held, and this year, there are several technical issues that will be discussed at length, with one of them being the future course and use of the Bench Press Shirt. On this note, there are several motions on the agenda, in various forms that discuss the shirts in depth. I will not go into detail on those motions; however, in my opinion, the motion posed by USA Powerlifting to the IPF is the most sound and reasonable, which is to keep the shirts as they are, and to not change the IPF Technical Rules for the next five years. The athletes deserve a period of time to adjust to not only the new equipment, but the newly imposed technical rules that were implemented during the past two years. The IPF Congress Agenda containing the [proposed] technical rule changes can be found here
Powerlifting Bar Specifications - 2008
As a kind and gentle reminder to all of our National and International Competition promoters that effective January 01, 2008 the "knurling" distances on IPF approved bars will become universal/standard based for ALL IPF approved bars. As such, all National Championship directors for USA Powerlifting will be required to use an IPF approved bar, which meets the following measurements and specifications below. Please plan in advance - Thank you!
(a) The bar shall be straight and well knurled and grooved and shall conform to the following
Dimensions:
1. Total overall length not to exceed 2.2 m.
2. Distance between the collar faces is not to exceed 1.32 m or be less than 1.31 m.
3. Diameter of the bar is not to exceed 29 mm or be less than 28 mm.
4. Weight of the bar and collars are to be 25 kg.
5. Diameter of the sleeve not to exceed 52 mm or be less than 50 mm.
6. There shall be a diameter machined marking or the bar taped so as to measure 81 cm between marking or tape.
Closing Remarks
As I have mentioned in previous newsletters, if there are ever any questions or comments that you wish to share with me regarding this report, or my previous newsletters, I would ask that you please contact me directly at: rhk@verizon.net
I am always open to constructive comments, and your criticisms. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families an enjoyable summer, and I look forward to seeing you at the next championship!
My sincere and kind regards,
Robert Keller
IPF Category I Referee
Chairman. USA Powerlifting Technical Committee
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TECHNICAL NEWS BULLETIN NO 5 2007
Bench Press ( Lock-out ) ?
The certificate issued by the Medical committee is now a necessity for those lifters claiming disability in the elbow area restricting "full" lock-out.
The Technical committee fully concur with the statement forwarded by the M C which reads as follows:-
Recently, the IPF has ruled that the TUE ( Therapeutic Use Exemptions ) process can be applied to lifters unable to achieve " full extension " of elbows despite being fully "locked-out"
This exception should mainly apply to lifters with traumatic injuries / surgery and certain congenital and acquired diseases.
Required documentation includes.
1) radiology report ( x-ray or similar )
2) diagnosis or name of disease / injury
3) quantified limit of function in degrees ( e.g. 15 loss of extension )
All three components must be provided by an appropriate healthcare professional. At present, the standard for elbow TUE is a maximum deficit of no more than 15 degrees.
This exemption only applies to elbows, no other body part will be considered. The IPF M C recognises the need to include as many people as reasonable in our sport, but we must also maintain the technical standard of performing a given lift. Therefore, knees that do not lock-out will unlikely ever pass a squat or dead-lift on the IPF platform.
Similarly, we recognise the difficulty referees will face in judging un-even extension and un-even lock-out when one arm only is involved. Even when TUE is awarded, we
suggest kindly reminding platform officials at the time of competition. The goal is for arms that are truly locked-out at less than 180 degrees to be recognised as a legal lift.
Bernie Miller DC: Chair IPF Medical Committee
It is to be emphasised that consideration is only give to elbows. Requests for limited knee flexion to be taken into account, unfortunately, will be denied.
The TC is recommending that the acceptable 15 degrees out of true be written into the rule book as clarification of the rule.
It should not be necessary to produce the certificate to remind platform referees of the impairment prior to each attempt. The jury will be in possession of this and would have informed the referees.
Shoes/Boot ( Inserts )
It has been noted that there are 1 cm thickness heel inserts ( the legal limit ) for sale on some stalls at International Venues. If worn, it is advisable that these be checked in.
Rumoured that some lifters may be building up the heel area inside the shoe with several layers - Beware!! Those discovered face disqualification.
New Referees (exam passes since issue 4 )
Category One
Werner Hafner ( GER )
Lief Josefsson ( SWE )
Johnny Graham ( USA )
Category Two
Alex Dimas ( El Salvador )
Marta Lidia Cano ( Guatemala )
Julio Osbaldo Quiroa Meza ( Guatemala )
German Rodolfo Vicente ( Guatemala )
Marco Antonio Lopez ( Guatemala )
Marco Antonio Andrade ( Guatemala )
Clara Luz Salazar ( Guatemala )
Jennifer Thompson ( USA )
Congratulations to all
Report to Congress 2007
Members
Bill Jamison (Canada)
Bill Clayton (USA)
Hanie Smith (South Africa)
Henk Keizer (Netherlands)
Joachim Lehmann (Germany)
Johnny Wiklund (Sweden)
Steve Lousich (New Zealand)
Subrata Dutta (India)
Norbert Wallauch (Austria) - ex officio
The Technical Committee are pleased to report to Congress our activities throughout the past year, and other duties pertaining to our brief.
The en-bloc proposals to Congress 2006 that were passed "unanimously" was pleasing to the committee. This show of confidence was much appreciated.
We have met with the Executive Committee on two occasions, discussing the future of the bench shirt, ( which, is an agenda item for this years congress ) the pros and cons relating to bench press rules and many aspects which may further enhance our sport.
We are pleased to invite Joachim Lehmann (Germany) onto the committee, replacing Myriam Busselot (Belgium) who was elected Vice President for the European Region.
Thanks to Myriam for all of her help in the past.
The Technical Committee Bulletin published on the IPF web site and in the IPF magazine, ( thanks to Wim Wamsteeker and Dennis Unitt ), hopefully has provided information of benefit to all.
E:mails have been answered punctually, most requesting interpretation or clarification of the rules.
Apart from Titan, no apparel has been received from the manufacturers for approval within the time frame ending 31st May 2007. On approval, these items will become legal for use in IPF competition from the 1st April 2008. Approval has been given to " one or two" logos and a set of racks. Our relations with all remain as cordial as ever.
Referee Registrar Goran Gunnarsson has forwarded the up-dated list of International Referees World Wide. We thank Goran for his dedication. Having recently been hospitalised ( now back at home we are glad to say ). We wish him well.
International IPF Referees:
01 - 09 -2007
Number of Nations Category 1 Category 2 Total of Referees
EUROPE 24 114 195 309
AFRICA 1 4 6 10
ASIA 12 32 59 91
OCEANIA 2 6 14 20
AMERICAS 9 18 78 96
TOTAL 48 174 352 526
Personally, I have attended three World championships, the selection of referees and overseeing being the primary functions, and two Regional Meets. One in an advisory capacity. My thanks for the input and support from Committee Members, and any necessary funding from the IPF Treasury.
Finally, as this is election year, my thanks to Arthur Hoey (British Weight Llfters Association) - Powerlifting Manager, for endorsing the proposal that I continue in the positon of Technical Committee Chairman for another four years. Should I be re-elected, I will do my utmost to justify that in which this position in the IPF deserves.
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Often heard said - ' No news is good news ' - I guess that rings true with this editon of T.C. News. I am sure there will be more to relate following the Congress. Of course, it is possible (this being election year) that a different scribe could be pushing the pen in this column after October!!
John Stephenson
Chairman IPF Technical Committee
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