Eligibility for National-level Events, and National Team

Am I eligible to compete at National-level Events and/or be selected for the National Team to represent Ireland?

(Note: Qualifying totals and criteria for other age categories for 2026 to be updated soon)

In order to compete at Open Nationals, a lifter must:

  1. Hit the minimum qualifying total standard*
  2. Hit a “Top 7” total in their weight class at any IrishPF, EPF or IPF competition in the qualifying period (N.B. winners of the previous Nationals Championship auto-qualify) OR have received an invite based on remaining invite slots.
  3. Be eligible to be selected for an international competition.

In order to be considered for International selection, a lifter must:

  1. Have competed in a National IrishPF or international (EPF and IPF) competition in the twelve months preceding selection/ invitation. (Note: this may not apply to wild card** selection)
  2. Have clear ties and connections to Ireland and the IrishPF as defined by:
    • Must have been born on the island of Ireland, OR
    • Must reside on the island of Ireland for the twelve*** months preceding selection / invitation, OR
    • Must hold an Irish passport.
  3. Not have competed in an International event sanctioned by the International Powerlifting Federation, or any of the IPF’s Regional Federations, representing any other National Federation in the preceding six (6) months.
    • For the purposes of this criteria, representing Northern Ireland in the British Powerlifting Home Nations event shall not make a lifter ineligible as the IrishPF consider this event to be a Regional Championship within British Powerlifting.
    • For the purposes of this criteria, representing Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships shall make a lifter ineligible as the IrishPF consider this event to be an International Championship competing against other IPF National Federations.

Please note that International selection is never guaranteed. A team is selected for each International Championships by the IrishPF Head Coach and their Assistant Coaches based on all relevant criteria including, but not limited to: recent performances, prior contributions to the International team, projected contributions to the International team, impact on team morale, expected administrative burden, and more.

https://irishpowerliftingfederation.com/ipf-team-standards

*** An appeal may be brought to the EC on this point, e.g. international students who do not stay in Ireland for a full 12 months