Competing at OUPLC

Powerlifting is a Full Blue sport at Oxford.

We run and participate in competitive events for lifters of all levels, from our in-house Novice Mock Meet to the IPF World University Cup!

Development & Performance Squads

We provide exclusive support to both high-performing powerlifters as well as novice lifters with high potential through our Development and Performance Squads. Applications are made during Michaelmas term and available only to members.

Selection to these squads provides the following benefits:

Access to personalised coaching from GB Team coach
Focused support from our captains
Competition handling and game-day support
Represent Oxford University
Opportunity to qualify for a Half/Full Blue

Team Competitions

Our major team competitions are—

Divisional:

Oxford v Cambridge Varsity
South Midlands University Championships (biennially)
Southern University Championships (biennially)

We select lifters for these competitions over the Long Vac, Michaelmas, and Hilary terms. Contact our Captains to find out more!

National:

BUCS British University Championships
All England Powerlifting Championships

Members of OUPLC who achieve the qualifying total can compete at these competitions and will be supported by the club via transport, subsidies, and gameday coaching.

International Competition

In addition to our divisional-, Varsity-, and national-level teams, over the years we have sent several lifters to international-level competitions, including:

IPF European Championships
IPF/FISU World University Cup
IPF Junior and Open World Championships

Besides the high achievement of qualifying for these competitions, our lifters have secured podium placings, international titles, and even world records! For example, we secured 2nd Best Uni Team at IPF World University Cup '23 out of 60+ universities.

Novice Meet & Cuppers

For our beginner and novice members, we hold an annual Novice Mock Meet in late Michaelmas. The meet provides a friendly, relaxed environment for those looking to try a powerlifting-style competition for the first time and to see how much they can lift!

We also host a popular Cuppers event every year in early Trinity, which is attended by 15+ college powerlifting teams with 70+ lifters! Open to all students at Oxford University, Powerlifting Cuppers is always a lively event with lots of lifts and lots of laughs.