Hello and welcome to another set of newsbites from British Powerlifting’s CEO, Charlie Marillier.
In this weeks top up:
- Classic Open World Championships
- All England Sub-Junior and Junior Championships
- Northern Irish Championships
- Law and Legislation Committee expansion
- British Powerlifting AGM
Classic World Open Championships
By Jo whiteley
British Powerlifting sent a phenomenal team to the 2026 IPF Classic World Championships and they did us proud.
We brought home three new world champions in Ade Omisakin, Joy Nnamani and Ziana Azariah with many other podium places achieved. We also had four world records including the biggest female deadlift in the IPF with an incredible 292.5kg from Aquinn Onuoha.
We had the best team results in history with the women’s team winning first place for the first time and the men coming in a strong second. Congratulations!
Full results
Men’s Team
Ade Omisakin – 83kg – 882.5kg 🥇
Jurins Kengamu – 83kg – 845kg 🥉
Christian Ayandokun – 93kg – 900kg 🥈
Nathaniel Massiah – 105kg – 922.5kg – 5th
Joshua Ngoka – 120kg – 965kg 🥈
Mo Sulayman – 120kg – 925kg – 8th
Ajay Sharma – 120+kg – 1032.5kg 🥉
Ray Bowring – 120+kg – 1030kg – 5th
Ade Omisakin – 2nd Best Lifter
Men’s team – 2nd place
Women’s Team
Joy Nnamani – 57kg – 518kg🥇
Bobbie Butters – 57kg – 500kg – 4th
Makeda Vidal – 63kg – 515kg – 4th
Annie Nelson – 69kg – 547.5kg – 9th
Bettina Hanlon – 76kg – 572.5 – 6th
Ziana Azariah – 84kg – 620kg 🥇
Aquinn Onuoha – 84+kg – 700kg 🥈
Toyosi Omotoso – 84+kg – 657.5kg 🥉
Women’s team – 1st place!
World Records
Joy Nnamani – deadlift – 238kg
Ziana Azariah – deadlift – 270kg
Josh Ngoka – squat – 372.5kg (Jr)
Aquinn Onuoha – deadlift – 292.5kg
European Records
Ziana Azariah – total – 620kg
Josh Ngoka – squat – 372.5kg (Jr & open)
Ajay Sharma – squat – 432.5kg
British records
Ade Omisakin – deadlift – 365kg
Ade Omisakin – total – 882.5kg
Makeda Vidal – squat – 195kg
Christian Ayandokun – squat – 320kg
Christian Ayandokun – total – 900kg
Nathaniel Massiah – total 922.5kg
Bettina Hanlon – squat – 212.5kg
Bettina Hanlon – total – 572.5kg
Josh Ngoka – bench – 220kg (Jr)
Ziana Azariah – squat – 122.5kg
Aquinn Onuoha – squat – 275kg
Aquinn Onuoha – total – 700kg
A huge thanks go to the coaches, referees and other officials for helping make this one of the most successful world championships we have ever had.
Check out the IPF page for the full list of results and our socials Instagram.
All England Sub-Junior & Juniors
The Engine Shed, Lincoln – 27th -28th June
written by lottie hall
English Powerlifting’s first stand alone English Sub-Junior & Junior Championships with a huge 158 entries. We’d like to thank competition host Joe Feeney from Lincoln Lifting who helped put this championship together. We’d also like to thank Tom Townsend and West Midlands for providing tech for the event. We also had drug testing at the event where 6 tests were carried out.
Our English Championships are now complete for the year, we appreciate every single person that has been involved with these competitions, support from volunteers all around the country is what makes these events happen and we really couldn’t do it without those that give up their time to help. We’d also like to thank all of our sponsors across various events, including Bulk who were our nutrition partner for the competition calendar.
northern irish championships
By josh bell
The 2026 NI National Powerlifting Championships brought two days of exceptional competition to the Girdwood Community Hub, helping to celebrate Belfast’s status as the European City of Sport 2026. This year, NI Nationals was changed to an Open format, allowing lifters from across the country to deliver standout performances to see who was the true champion of each weight class.
In the Women’s Raw Open division, several tightly contested categories showcased both emerging talent and established strength. Notable highlights included Chloe Cheevers’ dominant 339.5 kg total in the 57 kg class and Katie Woods’ commanding 358 kg win in the 63 kg class, with Katie securing her victory through a strong 85.5 kg bench and 140 kg deadlift. The 69 kg class produced one of the weekend’s highest female totals, as Dana Suitor amassed an impressive 428.5 kg to take first place and best female lifter.
Competition intensified further in the middle and upper women’s weight classes, where margins between podium positions were exceptionally narrow. The 76 kg class saw a dramatic three‑way battle, with Daniella McCourt and Alexandra Kapka tying at 372.5 kg, with Daniella edging ahead on bodyweight. In the 84 kg category, Emma Willis secured a decisive win with a 405 kg total, while the 84+ kg class featured a close contest between Nicola Beatty and Eimhear Sheppard, with Nicola’s 400 kg total earning her the top spot on the podium. These results reflect the continued rise in competitive depth across women’s powerlifting in Northern Ireland and serves as an inspiration to other women in the strength sports community.
The Men’s Raw Open division delivered equally compelling performances, headlined by several record‑challenging totals. Tiernan O’Neill took first place with his first Nationals appearance and Corey Jamison stood atop the podium in the 74kg class with a 542.5kg total. In the 83 kg class, Adam Johnson led the field with an incredible 250kg squat, leading him to a commanding 622.5 kg total. Ronan Moloney’s 647.5 kg in the 93 kg class demonstrated exceptional all‑round strength, taking the title by 2.5kg. The weekend’s heaviest lifts came from the 105 kg and 120 kg categories, where Jack Gilchrist pushed himself to a remarkable 775.5 kg total, including a 295.5 kg squat and 305 kg deadlift. Franklyn Richardson came a close second with a 770kg total, forcing Jack to pull for the win. Dylan Gibson secured the 120 kg title with a 705 kg total and securing the final deadlift of the championship at 312.5kg. The 120+ kg class saw Samuel Attipoe claim victory with 672.5 kg. Collectively, the results highlight a thriving national field and continued progression across all divisions.
With what was undoubtedly one of the NIPF’s best competitions ever produced, the team of volunteers outdid themselves and left everyone in attendance that the National Championships is the competition to be a part of. With the National Championships being the last NI qualifying event for the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada, several athletes secured their invitations and we can’t wait to see how they keep pushing the standards on the international stage.
LAW AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE EXPANSION
The Law and Legislation Committee is recruiting
With the continued growth of the Federation, and the continuing movement to becoming an ever more professional organisation, the range of issues which the membership and the Board face throughout the year is increasing. With an increase in activity, comes more opportunity for members to be involved in supporting the Federation and its drive to become bigger and better. Not all of these issues arise out of disputes between stakeholders.
These do happen and the committee acts as a sense-check for members and the Board, offering advice to diffuse matters before they escalate too far for the benefit of all involved.
The committee is commonly asked to opine on the interpretation of the Federation’s constitution and by-laws, applying the rules to the situation, and assisting with a strategy for resolution. Whilst the questions may be discrete, they all highlight areas for improvement and so the committee assists with wider policy decisions.
If you want to lend a hand to the Federation, but can’t always commit to a weekend of spotting and loading, giving your time to support the legal issues which the Federation faces is a great way to do so.
The Committee is keen to hear from any member who would like to join its ranks. Aside from having a legal or commercial background, there are no other formal requirements. We look forward to hearing from any and all interested members.
Find out more in our Recruitment Post
British Powerlifting AGM
Information for you
On May 26, British Powerlifting published a notice of the upcoming AGM to be held online on July 26 2026. There is information on the published AGM page.
Motion submission has now closed and the Interim-Chair and I have been discussing the submitted motions with the relevant people to gain a better understanding for the reasoning behind their motions and how we can provide a clear statement.
Comments on the motions we be open from July 3 to 10 and can be seen on the AGM page.
Please note, we will also be holding an open discussion of the motions for BP AGM 2026 on Thursday 23 July 2026, 11:00. This is to be held while voting is still open so members can talk through the issues before they finalise or change their intended vote before submitting it. After submission votes are final.
WHAT’S COMING UP:
- British Powerlifting AGM, July 26 10.00am
- European Classic and Equipped Bench Press Championships, 2-9 August in Lithuania
Check out all the upcoming championships from British Powerlifting and you can find all the International Competitions from the IPF Calendar.
