Kirill Sarychev has created a new powerlifting federation: WRPF - World Raw Powerlifting Federation. It is held from the 2nd to the 4th of May in Moscow at the stadium 'Wings of the Soviets', Leningrad Prospect 24a, Sports Complex 'Wings of the Soviets'. The Federation wasn't created to simply increase the amount of existing Federations or to compete with them. From Kirill's personal experience competing at various
tournaments, he picked out little things that he wanted to change. Despite the level of tournaments held in Russia been relatively high, he believes that if we can make these little changes & fulfill all his goals, something different on a new level can be created, since little things can make a big impact. There will be 3 categories:
- Amateurs with doping control
- Amateurs without doping control
- Professionals
More details about the professional's category:
To compete as a professional, you will need to meet certain guidlines, which will be based on an elite level of already existing federations, but they'll be a bit higher. Having fulfilled them,the athlete will receive a Pro card & be able to compete against other professionals for monetary prizes. What we have prepared for the competitors and also the audience:
First of all a big effort is been put into making the tournament entertaining, to make powerlifting watchable as a sport for everyone. There will be brand new equipment by Eleiko, which is known to all & has proven itself trustworthy over the years. Acquired also are 5 Eleiko barbells, as well as Leoko & Texas bars & Texas squat bar. Kirill knows from personal experience of the trouble, especially professionals, sometimes face. At the current moment 4 tonnes of just plates have been acquired, to make the warm ups as comfortable as possible,so people don't get in each others' way. Also acquired are 5 monolifts, 5 benches, professional elite platforms. The presentation will be at the top level - the sound, light & video. Erything will be done so that everyone who watches the tournament will be able to see that powerlifting is a watchable & doable sport, that it's worthy of practising, watching & promoting. A good set up & equipment are of course excellent,but nothing motivates an athlete as much as a monetary prize. That's why there will be a prize fund worth 1 million Rubles. It will be divided into the following categories: bench press, deadlift & the 3 lifts. The placements & prizes will be decided in the following ways: by the coefficient of course,just like everywhere: first place - 75 000, second place - 50 000 & third - 25 000. Besides that, having competed himself, Kirill knows of the debates whether awarding by coefficient is fair or not, so he decided to also award by absolute weight. There will thus be a double reward. So competitors will be awarded by coefficient & also by the biggest weight lifted, by the same scheme: first place - 75 000, second place - 50 000 & third - 25 000. The women haven't been forgotten about, like they sometimes say that they don't get the attention they deserve. There'll be prizes for women,but the categories haven't been decided on yet. They certainly won't be left without attention. At the moment a lot of famous athletes,champions of Russia, Europe & the World, numerous all time record holders have stated that they will compete. No names will be provided at this moment, since a lot of athletes from all over the world keep singing up. So despite it been an Open Championship of Russia,it will be a global tournament. Guidlines are needed to keep everything in order at the tournamens. We have adopted the rules from IPF, however with small modifications, so there won't be any destructive consequences. The judges will be strict & fair. The main criteria for selecting judges was to make sure they will deliver equal judgements. Judges must make proper calls,regardless of the titles & weights the professional athlete will be lifting. Records must be set in a manner, which will not make anybody question the authenticity of the record later. Everyone knows that in order to hold a successful tournament, you need a strong team.In February it was 10 years since Kirill had started powerlifting. During this time he has met a lot of wonderful people who are professionals at this sport & they have agreed to help him fulfill all of his goals & hold the tournament at the highest level. A website will be launced soon & a page has been created. Currently we have a page on vk.com/public86170231, it's called 'Universe of Power'..join it to follow our updates. From the 2nd to the 4th of May, in Moscow, at Sports Complex 'Wings of the Soviets', Leningrad Prospect 24a, WRPF is inviting each and every one of you to visit the tournament, an Open Championship of Russia, we promise to make it interesting!
