International Powerlifting Federation - IPF

Powerlifting is a relatively new sport, having only been formalized in the 1970s. The International Powerlifting Federation was founded in 1971 and has continued on and grown through to its present day position as the premiere international Powerlifting organization.

The IPF is a member of SportAccord (the former GAISF - General Assembly of International Sports Federations), and the International World Games Association (IWGA) and is the Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) for Powerlifting with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The popularity of Powerlifting under the IPF has allowed for some other organizations to emerge as purported representatives of the sport. However these are fragmented and lack sporting or moral credibility e.g. no other Powerlifting body has a WADA-compliant anti-doping programme. It is quite realistic to state that the IPF is the dominant world Powerlifting federation and the only one with standing in official world sporting circles.