St. Catharines, Canada, Sept. 28, 2011 – Eric Kupperstein (Cohasset, Mass.) placed first in the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) 28th World Men’s Masters Championships. In route to his victory in the Masters 1 (age 40-49), 59Kgs/130Lbs division, Kupperstein deadlifted a new world record of 245Kgs/ 540.1Lbs.
Kupperstein is veteran of USA Powerlifting (USAPL) and IPF competition. He earned the chance to represent the United States with his victory as USAPL Masters Nationals earlier this year. Along with Kupperstein’s deadlift, he Ssuatted 220Kgs/485Lbs and bench-pressed 132.5Kgs/292.1Lbs for a 597.5Kgs/1,317.2Lbs total.
“Eric is a tremendous competitor who is having a fantastic year after winning three different national events: Masters Nationals, Men’s Open and Raw Nationals,” said Robert Keller who will be coaching Kupperstein in November at the IPF Men’s and Women’s World Championships. “Now he’s won his first of two IPF worlds.”
USA Powerlifting is the leading powerlifting organization in the United States. USA Powerlifting is a member of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF), the governing body of powerlifting internationally. The IPF is comprised of member federations from eighty-three countries on six continents.
Distinct from weightlifting, a sport made up of two lifts: the Snatch and the Clean-and-Jerk, where the weight is lifted above the head, powerlifting comprises three lifts: the Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. Powerlifting competitions may be comprised of one, two or all three of the lifting disciplines. Athletes are categorized by sex, age and bodyweight. Each competitor is allowed three attempts at each lift, the best lift in each discipline being added to their total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In cases where two or more lifters achieve the same total, the person with the lightest bodyweight wins.
In the United States, USA Powerlifting has representative chairs in 44 states. Each state chair is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of USA Powerlifting’s local competitions, state championships and state records. USA Powerlifting operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can find out more about the organization nationally at www.usapowerlifting.com and locally at www.mass-lift.com .
These drug-free, amateur athletes are powerful role models in the world of competitive sports! Their dedication, hard work, and winning attitudes are a testament to the purity of competition for the love of their sport. In a world where steroids and other performance enhancing drugs have become the norm, USA Powerlifting stands apart.