Howard Cohen American Masters Championships

Add On Sirt - PreOrder Sale $24 ($30 at event) Book Hotel: Valley Forge Resort & Casino ADAPTIVE athletes are welcome to enter this event in a verified category as defined by IMWA- please email your adaptive entry (Found here) to [email protected]. ​NO REFUNDS or Entry transfers! Team entry fee is $50.00. Each lifter on the team roster must submit an individual entry indicating he represents this club. Men’s teams consist of 10 athletes and 3 reserves. Women’s teams consist of 10 athletes and 3 reserves. Each team is only allowed 2 team members competing in the same age group and body weight category. Team entries must be submitted by November 30, 2026. Final Team Rosters are due in the hands of the Competition Secretary no later than 7:00 PM at the Technical Conference, the day before the start of the event. Rosters will not be accepted after the start of the event. NO COACHING REGISTRATION REQUIRED! However, athletes will only be allowed 2 coaches in the warm up room. Entry to this event IS HANDLED by the VENUE and there IS a spectator charge. HOWEVER, all competing athletes will be allowed free entry with credentials and will be given 3 free passes for family and one coach. Additional spectator fees are $15/DAY. Credentials will be issued for all athletes. As always, we ask that only the athlete and his/her coach are in the warm up area. Family, teammates and friends should be in the spectator areas only. Athletes and coaches are allowed in the warm up area no earlier than 30 min prior to their scheduled session. NATIONAL, and HCAM RECORDS COUNT AT THIS EVENT! Official Meet Hotel: Valley Forge Casino Resort IWF RULES: IMWA Rulebook can be reviewed here: It is the athlete’s responsibility to be aware of current rules including any recent changes. USAM abides by IMWA rules unless specifically stated otherwise. TRAINING HALL: Official Training Hall: Inside the venue available Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026. TECHNICAL OFFICIALS: YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! Technical Officials Sign Up Here SOON ​USA Masters Weightlifting MEMBERSHIP: USA Masters Weightlifting Membership is required for all US citizens. Membership will be verified. Current photo ID will be required at weigh in. You can purchase membership here: https://usamasters.webpoint.us/wp/Memberships/Join-wp.php ​TECHNICAL MEETING: Verification of entries (changing weight classes) must be made online by Monday at 6:30 PM. Email [email protected] for changes. ​COMPETITION SCHEDULE AND START LIST: Competition will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Dec 2-6, 2026. The final lifting schedule will be set after the final verification of entries. You do NOT need to be present at the verification meeting in order to change weight classes. You may make your weight class changes by email at any point prior to the meeting. The schedule will follow the historical organization for masters’ events: the oldest lifters will compete on the first day and the youngest lifters will lift last on Sunday. A tentative schedule will be posted by the USA Masters competition secretary approximately 1 week after the entry deadline. WEIGHT CATEGORIES AND DIVISIONS: Masters age divisions will apply 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+ ​WEIGHT CATEGORY CHANGE: Please note that according to USAMW rules, an athlete may increase or decrease his/her body weight category at the Verification of Entries meeting. After the technical meeting an athlete may increase, but may not decrease his/her body weight category. The athlete must notify the Competition Secretary and report to the weigh-in of the original weight category to confirm the change to a heavier category. ​DRUG TESTING AND DOPING CONTROL: Pursuant to the rules of USA Masters, these championships are a drug-tested event. The number of tests administered will depend on the number of entries received for the championships. Drug testing is conducted by Drug Free Sport. Athletes who are serving a sanction by USADA or WADA may not compete. MEET PHOTOGRAPHY and LIVESTREAM Photos can be purchased in advance at the link above. ​ AWARDS: Medals will be presented to first, second, and third place for total in the HCAM. Best Lifter for each age group, male and female-Grand Master award for male and female-Team awards for first, second and third place, male and female. SUPER TOTAL OPPORTUNITY There will be a SUPER TOTAL opportunity at this event. Athletes who wish to compete will perform the DEADLIFT on the final session of the day they compete. Additional Awards will be given per age group based on formula, for 1st through 5th place. You may not enter deadlift event without competing in the Olympic lifts. Deadlift Rules: All lifters use 20kg Olympic bar. No hitching, no straps, no lubricant or powder. The lifting order is by previous lot number and weight on the bar (no rounds system). Athletes will have 3 attempts. Deadlift shoes may be worn. Knee high socks will not be required. Sumo style is permitted.