The Royal Navy Powerlifters compete in first Inter-Service Championships under new British Powerlifting rules

Selected Royal Navy male and female teams travelled from far and wide to RAF COSFORD to battle with the Army and RAF in this year’s Inter-Services (IS) Powerlifting Championships.

The Inter-Service Powerlifting Championship is the culmination of a season of powerlifting for all three Services. It is delivered on a rotational basis between each Single Service with the RAF hosting this year’s Championship at RAF Cosford, their Home for Sport. 

This year’s IS was particularly special as it was the first event run under new British Powerlifting competition rules and weight categories.

Upon arrival it was clear that a lot of hard work had been carried out to make sure the venue was accessible and prepared for 100+ personnel, VIP guests and BFBS. 

The competition was run over 2 separate events, female athletes in the morning and male athletes competing in the afternoon.

The female’s morning competition ended with Navy coming 3rd. A highly respectable score was achieved by a young side who displayed great long-term potential.

The male’s afternoon competition started with cheering from all 3 services, creating an electric atmosphere for every athlete lifting. 

Throughout each discipline (Full Power, Squat, Bench and Deadlift) the lead constantly changed as the points race was so tight. 

The Navy male team finally placed 2nd, but it was the closest team event on record, with only 5 points separating 1st and 3rd.

The IS Championships also had a very welcome visit from the Directorate of RAF Sport, Air Cdre Fogden, who engaged with the athletes and support staff throughout the event, closing with a motivational closing speech at the end.

The new RAFPA OIC and the event organiser Flt Lt Sam Burgess stated “That is the best military powerlifting event I have been involved with, from the commitment of the support staff to the camaraderie of the competitors to the seamless running of the event. Powerlifting as a sport is on the rise and this was a fantastic advert for what military powerlifting can offer.”

CPOPT Andrew Davey said, “The RN Powerlifting Association would like to say a wholehearted thank you to Dan Hill (RAF Cosford Home for Sport) and his team for helping to facilitate the event. Furthermore, a massive thank you to all three services powerlifting associations committees and British Powerlifting support staff who helped run the event.”