Frequently Asked Questions / Les Questions Fréquemment Posées

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Frequently Asked Questions

2025.08.02.MG

1. What competitions can I compete and break Canadian Masters Records?

 

 If you are a WCHM member you may compete in any provincial or local meet as long as you meet the competition entry requirements.  Our members are also members of Provincial Associations for that very reason.  You may also compete in Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championships or other sanctioned national meets as well as International Masters Competitions if you meet the qualifying totals.

Canadian Masters Records can be broken at AR.CANADIAN-MASTERS-RECORD-CRITERIA.2024.11.13.pdf

Find more information here: Records

 

2. What are the Categories that are contested in Masters Competitions?

 

 WCHM age groups start at 30 (only applicable for Canadian Masters and not Provincial or International Competitions), Men and Women:  35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+  For Record Purposes, extended age categories can be contested. Bodyweight Categories are the same as for the Seniors.

 

3. Are there Qualifying Totals for Masters Competitions?

 

There are qualifying totals for competitions at or above the National level, unless stated otherwise.

 

4. When do I actually enter a masters age category?

 

You are in an age category starting January 1 of the year you turn 35, for international events, or 30 for the Canadian Masters Championships.

 


5. What is the Hall of Fame and how do I reach that level?

 

Our Hall of Fame Secretary manages this portfolio by monitoring WCHM membership participation and placement in the Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championships, and the International Competitions in which records can be broken. When a member attains 125 points he/she is awarded a Hall of Fame Certificate and special pins. This is an honourable level to be awarded as it demonstrates a strong commitment to competitive lifting and successful accomplishments.

Hall of Fame

 

 

6. Are Masters Competitions subject to doping control?

 

Yes. Provincial Associations are subject to doping control according to their policies and that of Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie.   The Canadian Masters Weightlifting Championship is also subject to drug testing under WCHM Anti-doping Policy.  Anti-doping information can be found on our website where we post the most current WADA Prohibited List and other information for our members.

Anti-Doping/Anti-Doping

 

7. How can I best prepare for an International Competition?

 

In addition to belonging to a local club (though not mandatory) and having a knowledgeable coach, the athlete should have some Provincial and National competitive experience either as a Senior or a Master.  One should be knowledgeable about qualifying totals, qualifying periods, and the requirement of registering through our President.

 

8. Are the rules for Masters the same as the Seniors?

Masters follow the IWF rules for the two lifts and the general technical rules related to them, the bodyweight categories, equipment used and the jury (when one is in place). The athlete must meet or exceed the qualifying total to receive an international medal regardless of their position in the championship. International Masters follow the 80% rule for their starting lifts. Please refer to the IMWA Masters Rulebook on this website.

2024-IMWA-RULEBOOK-NEW-VERSION.pdf

 


9. Where do I get the Canadian Masters weightlifting singlets?

Periodically WCHM will contact its members via email and/or on our website how to purchase these singlets.  Our Board is examining other methods of making some of our sportswear more available to members.

 

10. Is it possible to be a WCHM member and not be a competitive lifter (athlete)?

 

This may at first seem like an odd question since the reason most master-aged athletes become WCHM  members is for national and international competition participation as well as being eligible to break Canadian Masters Records. But we also have members who join to assist WCHM and members who may have experienced injuries that may prevent them from competing.  For many of us, though competing is the major reason to join, there is a sense of a national community regardless if we are on the platform competing or in another assistive role with our own Provincial Associations or within our organization.

 

11. What is the relationship between WCHM and WCH (Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie) ?

 

Both organizations are independent of each other but closely associated as members can belong to both groups. We both adhere to the IWF rules and some special rules unique to IMWA.  Both organizations share the same mission and objectives, with WCHM focusing on the 30 plus age group. A number of our younger members still compete as Seniors and are also registered with WCH. Many of our members are also Technical Officials and provide their volunteer services to competitions hosted in both organizations.

 

To break Canadian Masters Records, the athlete firstly is a member of WCHM and also of the WCH through membership in their Provincial Weightlifting Association (which is one of our requirements).  By being a member of WCH, our members can compete locally and provincially, and acquire entry totals needed for our National Competition.

 

Doping Control services from the CCES has made it impossible and impractical to be fully included in WCH or to be affiliated with WCH. Both organizations wish this was not the case.

 

The relationship between our organizations is supportive and respectful. We are proud that our members also belong to WCH where they can utilize many good things such as anti-doping information, coach development, and technical official training.

 

12. Are WCHM members covered by a medical insurance plan while training or competing?

 

WCHM does not provide athletes with medical insurance. That responsibility belongs to each athlete who should ensure that they are protected by their provincial health plan or their own private health plan.

 

13. Why do you think an athlete takes up Masters Weightlifting?

 

Here is an article by a gentleman some of us may know from the past. Food for thought!

https://breakingmuscle.com/fitness/what-makes-masters-competition-different-from-regular-competition

 

14. Why should I join the WCHM?

 

WCH represents the interests of all weightlifters in Canada. Their focus is broad. WCHM on the other hand, is specifically focused on the needs of Masters weightlifters. In addition to that, we further divide those ages into five-year increments giving our members a great opportunity to excel on the national and international arenas.  We are pleased that WCH approves Provincial Masters Competitions organized by Provincial Weightlifting Associations. At those competitions, our members are allowed to contest Canadian Masters Records.

 

The main incentive to joining our Federation is that the athlete can compete against others of similar calibre. Our members also find it rewarding to make the acquaintance of new friends and reconnect with old friends when they gather at local, national and international meets where they have the opportunity to challenge Canadian Masters Records and receive Certificates for those accomplishments.  Upon accumulating sufficient experience and awards at such events, some will be inducted into our Hall of Fame and receive special pins and Certificates. Furthermore, our National Chair is very experienced and dedicated to assisting athletes preparing for international competitions.

 

With the influx of new members, some from a weightlifting background and many from transferable-skilled type sport, there will be a need to ensure that coaches fully understand and appreciate the needs of masters’ age athletes.

 

Although our sources of revenue are limited (we receive no government grants as those are reserved for the younger athletes) we do our best to address the needs and concerns of our master athletes. Joining us will not make you rich in the wallet.  But it will enrich your weightlifting soul.

 

15. Why does the CCES no longer provide doping control to WCHM?

 

In 2023, WCHM was advised by the CCES that it could no longer provide these services unless WCHM and WCH agreed to the following requirements. This reversal of their decision to provide doping control may have resulted from directions from Sports Canada.

 

  • WCHM must void its own Anti-doping Policy and adopt the Canadian Anti-doping Program at an annual cost of about $10,000;
  • WCH would need to guarantee a $5000 Results Management Fee for every WCHM athlete who tests positive at the WCHM National Championships;
  • WCHM members would be required to complete the CCES Drug Education Course which would annually cost WCHM about $3000;
  • Each athlete’s urine test analysis would cost in excess of $800;
  • A TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) for participation in the WCHM Nationals would come at a cost of over $1000 per applicant.

 

This entire cost was unacceptable to both WCH and WCHM.  Under the advisement of WCH and the CCES, WCHM contracted out doping control to DFSI (Drug Free Sports International). DFSI did not impose the restrictions and related costs of the CCES and as a result five times more athletes can be tested at the WCHM National Championships.

 

16. How is WCHM governed?

 

WCHM is federally incorporated as a not-for-profit sports organization.  It is governed by an elected Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and two Directors all elected every two years at the AGM.  WCHM bylaws also include a committee called WCHM Advisory Committee which is composed of all Board members, appointed Provincial representatives, Directors of special portfolios, and members of various advisory groups.  The President has also created an informal group called the Provincial Presidents Advisory group. Board Motions can be presented to the board by any board member, any Advisory Committee member, any Provincial President or any WCHM member who has contacted the President and wishes to recommend some kind of action for study by the Board.  President’s motions to the Board are firstly thoroughly researched through communication with the Advisory Committee and Provincial Presidents, through discussions with the IMWA and other national/international masters weightlifting organizations and when required through its legal team of solicitors and other professional organizations.

 

Welcome to the Club! / Bienvenue au club! – Canadian Masters Weightlifting Federation (cdnmastersweightlifting.org)