Competition & Records
If you are a WCHM member you may compete in any provincial or local meet as long as you meet the competition entry requirements. Our members are also members of Provincial Associations for that very reason. You may also compete in Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championships or other sanctioned national meets as well as International Masters Competitions if you meet the qualifying totals.
Find more information here: Records
What competitions can I compete and break Canadian Masters Records?
WCHM age groups start at 30, within Canada. However, for most International Competitions the age groups for both genders start at 35, in 5-year increments, concluding 90+. WCHM abides by the IWF bodyweight categories.
What are the Categories that are contested in Masters Competitions?
There are qualifying totals for competitions at or above the National level, unless stated otherwise.
Are there Qualifying Totals for Masters Competitions?
You are in an age category starting January 1 of the year you turn 35, for international events, or 30 for the Canadian Masters Championships.
When do I actually enter a masters age category?
Our Hall of Fame Secretary manages this portfolio by monitoring WCHM membership participation and placement in the Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championships, and the International Competitions in which records can be broken. When a member attains 125 points he/she is awarded a Hall of Fame Certificate and special pins. This is an honourable level to be awarded as it demonstrates a strong commitment to competitive lifting and successful accomplishments.
What is the Hall of Fame and how do I reach that level?
In addition to belonging to a local club (though not mandatory) and having a knowledgeable coach, the athlete should have some Provincial and National competitive experience either as a Senior or a Master. One should be knowledgeable about qualifying totals, qualifying periods, and the requirement of registering through our President.
How can I best prepare for an International Competition?
Masters follow the IWF rules for the two lifts and the general technical rules related to them, the bodyweight categories, equipment used and the jury (when one is in place). The athlete must meet or exceed the qualifying total to receive an international medal regardless of their position in the championship. International Masters follow the 80% rule for their starting lifts. Please refer to the IMWA Masters Rulebook on this website.
Are the rules for Masters the same as the Seniors?
Doping & Anti-Doping
Yes. Provincial Associations are subject to doping control according to their policies and that of Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie. The Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championship is also subject to drug testing under WCHM Anti-doping Policy. Anti-doping information can be found on our website where we post the most current WADA Prohibited List and other information for our members.
Are Masters Competitions subject to doping control?
Membership
Sportswear can be purchased from Gameday Good News!. WCHM Sportswear is not mandatory but recommended.
Where do I get the Canadian Masters weightlifting singlets?
This may at first seem like an odd question since the reason most master-aged athletes become WCHM members is for national and international competition participation as well as being eligible to break Canadian Masters Records. But we also have members who join to assist WCHM and members who may have experienced injuries that may prevent them from competing. For many of us, though competing is the major reason to join, there is a sense of a national community regardless if we are on the platform competing or in another assistive role with our own Provincial Associations or within our organization.
Is it possible to be a WCHM member and not be a competitive lifter (athlete)?
WCHM does not provide athletes with medical insurance. That responsibility belongs to each athlete who should ensure that they are protected by their provincial health plan or their own private health plan.
Are WCHM members covered by a medical insurance plan while training or competing?
WCH represents the interests of all weightlifters in Canada. Their focus is broad. WCHM on the other hand, is specifically focused on the needs of Masters weightlifters. In addition to that, we further divide those ages into five-year increments giving our members a great opportunity to excel on the national and international arenas. We are pleased that WCH approves Provincial Masters Competitions organized by Provincial Weightlifting Associations. At those competitions, our members are allowed to contest Canadian Masters Records.
The main incentive to joining our Federation is that the athlete can compete against others of similar calibre. Our members also find it rewarding to make the acquaintance of new friends and reconnect with old friends when they gather at local, national and international meets where they have the opportunity to challenge Canadian Masters Records and receive Certificates for those accomplishments. Upon accumulating sufficient experience and awards at such events, some will be inducted into our Hall of Fame and receive special pins and Certificates. Furthermore, our National Chair is very experienced and dedicated to assisting athletes preparing for international competitions.
With the influx of new members, some from a weightlifting background and many from transferable-skilled type sport, there will be a need to ensure that coaches fully understand and appreciate the needs of masters’ age athletes.
Although our sources of revenue are limited (we receive no government grants as those are reserved for the younger athletes) we do our best to address the needs and concerns of our master athletes. Joining us will not make you rich in the wallet. But it will enrich your weightlifting soul.
Why should I join the WCHM?
Governance
Both organizations are independent of each other but closely associated as members can belong to both groups. We both adhere to the IWF rules and some special rules unique to IMWA. Both organizations share the same mission and objectives, with WCHM focusing on the 30 plus age group. A number of our younger members still compete as Seniors and are also registered with WCH. Many of our members are also Technical Officials and provide their volunteer services to competitions hosted in both organizations.
To break Canadian Masters Records, the athlete firstly is a member of WCHM and also of the WCH through membership in their Provincial Weightlifting Association (which is one of our requirements). By being a member of WCH, our members can compete locally and provincially, and acquire entry totals needed for our National Competition.
The relationship between our organizations is supportive and respectful. We are proud that our members also belong to WCH where they can utilize many good things such as anti-doping information, coach development, and technical official training.
What is the relationship between WCHM and WCH (Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie)?
WCHM is federally incorporated as a not-for-profit sports organization. It is governed by an elected Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and two Directors all elected every two years at the AGM. WCHM bylaws also include a committee called WCHM Advisory Committee which is composed of all Board members, appointed Provincial representatives, Directors of special portfolios, and members of various advisory groups. The President has also created an informal group called the Provincial Presidents Advisory group. Board Motions can be presented to the board by any board member, any Advisory Committee member, any Provincial President or any WCHM member who has contacted the President and wishes to recommend some kind of action for study by the Board. President’s motions to the Board are firstly thoroughly researched through communication with the Advisory Committee and Provincial Presidents, through discussions with the IMWA and other national/international masters weightlifting organizations and when required through its legal team of solicitors and other professional organizations.
