Paralympics powerlifting bench press...

[5kgLifter]

I know they only do bench but...I was watching earlier and very impressed with the 75kg women, top bench press of 148kg (146kg within the comp) World Record; if they were going for a new World Record, due to smashing one within the comp itself, they were permitted to go for one extra attempt, in addition to their 3 lifts, but it remained outside of their comp score.

It was really strange to watch, seeing someone lift the barbell which looked perfectly fine 3 times in a row only to be denied every lift


To the question though which is about bench form...

• They were handed the barbell, if they chose to go that route instead of unracking themselves which one did.
• They had to pause at the bottom BUT they decided how long and were not given an up-command etc.
• They were informed when they could rerack the barbell.
• No feet on the floor (obviously), had to be all arm power.

Other rules:

• Head must remain in contact with the bench as must the butt.
• The barbell had to come up evenly, right to the end of the lift, if it was even merely lopsided, it was a no-lift, and that also applied to lifts that they managed to recover and lockout.
• The barbell could not be seen to wobble at the end whilst waiting for the rerack signal.
• A wobbly elbow, mid-lift, was considered a no-lift, even if it was locked out properly at the end with the barbell aloft.

So, how do these rules alter from non-Paralympic powerlifting bench press rules?

[BendtheBar]

In powerlifting most feds allow you to have a team member unrack for you. I believe you may be able to unrack yourself, though I am not sure on that one.

They had to pause at the bottom BUT they decided how long and were not given an up-command etc.

Official gives us the "Press" command.

They were informed when they could rerack the barbell.

Same. Weight must be lifted and shown to be in control before a lifter is allowed to rack.

No feet on the floor (obviously), had to be all arm power.

Some feds are flat feet, some allow "on toes,"

Head must remain in contact with the bench as must the butt.

Butt rule is the sale, but some allow head up.

The barbell had to come up evenly, right to the end of the lift, if it was even merely lopsided, it was a no-lift, and that also applied to lifts that they managed to recover and lockout.

Same.

The barbell could not be seen to wobble at the end whilst waiting for the rerack signal.

Same. Lift must be completed with lifter showing he has control after the lift.

A wobbly elbow, mid-lift, was considered a no-lift, even if it was locked out properly at the end with the barbell aloft.

Wobbly could be a sign of dipping, which is not allowed.

I am not sure that shaking by itself is not allowed. Someone else might chime in on this one.

[Shorts]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Wobbly could be a sign of dipping, which is not allowed.

I am not sure that shaking by itself is not allowed. Someone else might chime in on this one.

Most feds allow the shaking, as long as the bar is moving up and not dipping and the arms are relatively even (left vs right).