The IMWA has a set procedure for entering the World Championships. Athletes must qualify at a recognized event (only USAMW events) and submit their entry to the IMWA. Entries are ranked by age group and weight class. Usually the top 10-12 per group are selected. All athletes pay for their own expenses.

For 2024 International events, CEO Michael Cohen and USAMW Board agreed to allow previously scheduled USAW events to count. These include: 2023 AO2, 2023 AO Finals, 2023 HCAM, 2024 USAMW National Masters (in Baton Rouge), and 2024 Pan American Masters for the IMWA Worlds. For the 2024 Pan American Masters the 2023 Pan American Masters will count.

We are always looking for volunteers! From help at competitions to joining a committee, we welcome your feedback. Send us a message on our contact page.

The Masters organization has several committees which are available. New members are always welcome. See the committee chairs for contact information. Nominations are taken from the membership by email and voted on by membership.

A typical year includes the following expenses: payments to competition secretary and technical director for the 2 National events,  travel for the chairman, t-shirts for the world championships, patches and awards for grand slam and hall of fame, mailings, and office supplies.

There are no event-specific financial statements. USA Master events are contracted to independent competition directors. The event organizers / meet directors assume all financial risk and responsibility for the event and are not required to produce or publish profit/loss statements for the events they host. A set portion of the event entry fees is paid back to the masters organization. The fees paid back are reflected in the financial statements of the organization which are posted on the USA Masters website.

All Master events follow IMWA Masters rules - these include weigh in, age groups, press out rule, etc. 

There are a few Master specific rules followed at Master stand-alone events (National Masters, HCAM, Pan Am masters and World masters). Weigh in - athletes may not weigh in wearing a singlet; athletes may go up a class at weigh in, Oldest athletes lift first, coaching registration is not required.

All current WSO and National referees are welcome as USA Masters TO's. WSO or local referees are Category 1 and National referees are Category 2. The IMWA technical official program for International referees will be launched in January, 2024.

All USA athletes who compete in International competition are recognized as members of Team USA. Each country submits a team roster with a set number of athletes for the team competition.  An athlete listed in this team roster (or not) does not take away from the significance of representing Team USA.

Individuals may belong to one or many weightlifting organizations. To compete Internationally in an IMWA event, athletes MUST belong to USA Masters.

At all USAMW and IMWA events, there is no coach registration or fee. Coaches of Master athletes do NOT need to be certified in any organization, including USADA and SafeSport.

Upon Howard Cohen's retirement as Chairman of the Masters Committee, the Masters Committee, with approval from USAW CEO Phil Andrews named Howard Cohen honorary "President for Life." This is a non-voting title given to him to acknowledge his many years of service to the Masters Organization.

All meet directors have the option to sell Eleiko equipment after the event. Eleiko sends a price list. All unsold equipment can be purchased by the event host OR can be sent back to Eleiko. Shipping back to Eleiko is paid by event host (Eleiko covers shipping to the event).

No, these are not required.