About the MPA
Manitoba Powerlifting Association is a member of the Canadian Powerlifting Union which is itself a member of the International Powerlifting Federation. History of the Manitoba Powerlifting Association
As an organized sport in Manitoba, powerlifting is relatively young when compared to the lifetime of established sports such as Hockey, Curling, Baseball, Football, and track and fie
ld. Originally, powerlifting was contested between gym combatants who were judged by their cronies using a loose set of rules. The majority of these competitions were held insmall . old, dimly lit gyms. There was also a wide variety of lifts that that were juried depending upon the mood of the lifters at that particular time. These lifts included the Bench Press, Back Squat, Deadlift, Front Squat, Military Press, Barbell Curl, Power Clean, or any other agreed upon movement. The first offical documented Manitoba contest using the three basic powerlifting movements took place in July 1967, at the central YMCA. this event marks the beginning of the first era of powerlifting in Manitoba, which emcompases the years 1967-1975. The Manitoba Powerlifting Association was formed to preside over the sport in official capacity. The MPA hosted one annual provincial competition which followed a standard set of rules. The MPA had an elected executive, along with an appointed set of officials. However, the MPA at this juncture wasn’t incorporated as an organization. nor did powerlifting have any status as an official sport in the province. The MPA also wasn’t affiliated with any governing body connected with powerlifting outside the province. The MPA did enjoy some relative success during this period. Eventually a combination of poor lifter turnout at the annual meet, along with a shortage of funds led to the dissolving of the MPA at the end of 1975. The years 1976 thru 1979 are considered the dark ages of powerlifting in Manitoba. There are no official competitions or governing body associated with the sport during this period. No records were kept on lifters performances at local or out of province meets. This meant that Manitoba lifters were not recognized for their accomplishmentsat a Provincial, National, or International level. It wasn’t until October of 1979, that a new group of powerlifters organized themselves under the said title of the Manitoba Powerlifting Association. This second formation of the MPA then hosted Manitoba’s first provincial competition in 4 1/2 years, Murdoch McKay Collegiate in January 1980. The overwhelming success of this competition combined with an aggreessive and promissing new executive opened the door for the future of the newly formed and ressurected MPA. From that point on powerlifting in Manitoba has grown in membership, recogintion, credibilty, and viability. Since 1980, the MPA has been incorporated as a business as well as having been recognized as an official sport in the provinve. We are full members of The Manitoba Sports Federation and The Manitoba Sports Directorate. We are members of the Canadian Powerlifting Union(CPU) and the International Powerlifting Federation(IPF). The MPA has been the host of several national competitions, and has in its membership many national and international level competitors, coaches, and officials. The MPA has a provincial training facility (Olympik Gym) which also serves as the nerve center for the MPA. Olympik Gym is also used for the coaching and training of our Special Olympians. Yes the MPA and powerlifting in Manitoba has come along way since its initial birth. One of the purposes of this background on the MPA is to give new and old members an brief overview of what the MPA has accomplished and hopefully serve as a motivational tool in attracting new members and/or resurrecting some of old members back into the sport. I have included a list of the MPA executive since 1979. A history of important MPA dates and events. A list of national and international level competitors. The results of the first official MPA sanctioned competition from July, 1967. A list of provincial records dated December 1975 which documents the lifting accomplishments of the 1967-75 era of the MPA. A list of the current MPA provincial records. The top 100 modern day MPA Male performances. And finally, a list of all the MPA hosted competitions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all past and present members of the association as well as all the volunteers who have helped make the sport of powerlifting grow and prosper at such a high level in Manitoba. Yours Sincerely
Dan Tarabalka
Secretary
Manitoba Powerlifting Association
