History of the WPC - World Powerlifting Congress
 

The WPC was formed in 1986 in order to allow International competition with the APF (American Powerlifting Federation)  Ernie Frantz founded both of these organizations with the help of several lifters.  The reason was that many lifters all over the world were becoming more and more upset with their treatment by the IPF.  Since 1982, when the APF came into existence, more and more lifters have come to the WPC to compete with the strongest in the world.  The WPC was, and remains, designed to be lifter friendly.  We try to make sure that everyone's opinion is heard. 

 

Ernie Frantz has worked  very hard  for over 22 years to  insure the credibility  of the WPC.  Often, he has invested his own money to give the WPC the financial support it has needed.  Many times he took out personal loans to make sure the finances were met. 

 

Today the WPC has over 30 member countries and the number increases every year.  Each country is led by dedicated lifters who want only the best place to compete.  The WPC is a strong organization and will remain so for a very long time. 

 

The first world meet was held on September 16, 1984, in Aurora, Illinois, USA.  A team of 10 lifters from South Africa competed at this meet.  Since 1986 World Championships have been held every year.  They have been hosted by countries all over the world such as England, USA, France, South Africa, Italy, Austria, Canada, and Finland.  Lifters find good competition and fun when they lift in a WPC meet.  The WPC truly has the strongest lifters on the planet.  There is no other WPC, except through Aurora, Illinois, USA.  If your information comes from anywhere else in the USA, it is incorrect.

The Amateur World  Powerlifting Congress and the Amateur American Powerlifting Federation were founded in 1997 by Ernie Frantz at the request of Ralph Raiola and Ken Leistner.  This was done to allow any lifter to lift in a drug tested environment.

 

In 2003 the WPC Europe decided to form a new federation WPCommittee.  Not to be confused with WPC - World Powerlifting Congress or to be as they would like.  They claim this new organization was by democratic vote although only the European countries were present.  They intended on changing the name from Congress to Committee, first without notifying all the Congress members and second having no authority to do so.  To their dismay WPC Congress is still in existence and will be for many years.  Because of Europe's silence no one understands why this new federation formed all I know is that it certainly was not done democratically.  The democratic thing to do would be to put any issues out on the table at the 2003 AGM to be discussed and voted on, but then they would have to confront Congress and discuss things face to face.

 

Let me just say, this is not the first time someone has tried to "take over" and it probably won't be the last.  We have been through several battles for the better of the organization and have always triumphed in the end.  This is a strong organization with the strongest lifters in the world.   

Sincerely,
Maris Anne Sternberg
Secretary and Record Keeper
APF/AAPF/WPC/AWPC
Founding member since 1980.