The 2026 Powerlifting United (PLU) Nationwide Championships are set to happen at the weekend of Would possibly 16-17 on the Westin San Antonio North in San Antonio, TX. 300 PLU athletes will grace the platforms within the Lone Famous person State as they are trying to set non-public, state, or even nationwide information in addition to a part of a $10,000 handbag.
Athletes needed to compete and submit a qualifying general to be eligible to compete at Nationals. Athletes must weigh in on Friday, Would possibly 15 with a view to compete. The entire roster of competition will also be noticed on LiftingCast together with their agenda instances to step onto the platform.
How Powerlifting United Nationals Scoring Works
The most efficient squat, bench press, and deadlift for each and every athlete might be blended into a complete. PLU will then use a DOTS coefficient scoring device to make use of the lifter’s general and weight to calculate their ultimate positions. The athletes with the perfect DOTS in each and every class would be the winner.
Awards might be awarded to the highest 3 finishers for each and every gender in each and every weight magnificence, age workforce, department, and kit class.
Formative years (10-12), Junior (13-23), Open, Sub-Masters (35-39), and Masters (40+) classes are eligible for Absolute best Lifter awards if they’ve 5 or extra athletes registered inside the similar gender, department, and kit class.
PLU President Ana Perez and her crew have installed many hours of labor to make this the most productive PLU match up to now. Perez feels that because of the crew in addition to sponsors like ANIMAL, the U.S. Military, and Repmax, the lifters and target market have just right explanation why to be excited.
Perez mentioned, “We’re having a look ahead to bringing PLU Nationals to San Antonio. That is our first sold-out Nationals, and we’re so thankful for the entire give a boost to from our powerlifting neighborhood.”
Most sensible Male Powerlifters to Watch at PLU Nationals 2026
Like bodybuilding or every other power game, an disappointed is at all times conceivable, however there also are established favorites and athletes that enthusiasts must stay their eyes on in the event that they plan to look at. In accordance with earlier ratings and meets, the athletes to stay up for this 12 months’s Nationals are underneath.
Zac Meyers
Zac Meyers is the one lifter with a DOTS of over 600. He has competed in each uncooked (no squat swimsuit or bench press blouse) with sleeves and wraps. He remaining competed in March 2026 at The Bar Showdown meet, the place he posted a complete of over 2,300 kilos within the 308-pound department at a weight of 285 kilos.
Christian Kearney
This might be Christian Kearney’s first meet of 2026, and he’s anticipated to raise within the 148-pound department. Kearney has been competing since 2015, and enthusiasts can be expecting him to general ten instances over his body weight if he ratings on all 3 lifts. He’s a forged total lifter, however he’s recognized for his 733-pound deadlift that he finished in 2024.
Aaron Madriaga
Aaron Madriaga was once the second-best total lifter on the 2025 PLU Nationals. The then 41-year-old Masters and Open lifter finished a 568-pound squat, benched 385 kilos, and pulled 702 kilos for a complete of one,655 kilos. In keeping with Open Powerlifting, this might be his first meet since remaining 12 months’s Nationals.
Luke Frandsen
This can be Luke Frandsen’s first meet of the 12 months after competing thrice in 2025. His splendid end from that 12 months was once on the HGC Derby Town Vintage in June, the place he totaled 1,515.6 kilos. The large carry of that day was once his 629.3-pound deadlift.
Trey Jones
Trey Jones had a occupation day when he remaining stepped at the platform on the 2025 PLU For The next day to come match. His 804.7-pound squat, 462.9-pound bench press, and 815.7-pound pull had been all non-public bests, leading to a 2,083.3-pound general.
Most sensible Feminine Powerlifters to Watch at PLU Nationals 2026
Allison Whorton
At the ladies’s aspect of the platform, Allison Whorton has a DOTS splendid of 504.82, the most productive out of all ladies coming into this meet. She posted that rating with a complete of one,102.3 kilos at a body weight of slightly below 155 kilos in March 2025 in Texas. This might be her first meet of 2026.
Elizabeth Ribaudo
Coming in with a occupation splendid of not up to one level on DOTS at the back of Whorton is Elizabeth Ribaudo. She competed two instances in 2025 underneath the PLU banner, maximum just lately on the Energy Surge Professional/Am match, the place she totaled 981 kilos at a weight of 147.2 kilos.
Jennifer Tran
Jennifer Tran is in the similar department as Ribaudo, the 35-39 Submasters, 148-pound class. She gained the Submasters championship in her weight magnificence on the 2025 PLU Nationals in New Jersey. Each ladies will compete at the first day of the contest. Tran might be in Flight A, and Ribaudo might be at the following flight.
Tammy Mims
Tammy Mims is a Masters 50+ athlete, and he or she has occupation bests of over 400 kilos on each the squat and deadlift. She can be competing within the 165-pound magnificence for each Open and Masters.
Amanda LeMarble
Amanda Lemarble was once first within the 181-pound Open department on the 2025 PLU Nationals. Except for profitable, she may take a look at breaking her non-public splendid deadlift of 474 kilos at this match. She hit that quantity on the 2025 Uncooked Energy Struggle meet in Portage, Michigan.
Find out how to Watch the 2026 Powerlifting United (PLU) Nationwide Championships
Tickets to the PLU Nationals are bought out, however enthusiasts that may’t be in San Antonio can catch each and every carry reside by means of gazing the unfastened livestream on PLU’s YouTube channel. M&F might be there for additonal protection and to supply a complete recap of the massive match after it concludes. Perez shared that this might be greater than a meet, it’s going to be an enjoy for all concerned.
“We take such a lot satisfaction within the total enjoy that we offer at our occasions – the whole thing from the manufacturing, surroundings, and the degrees of pageant on our platform,” Perez mentioned. “We pulled out the entire stops in this one. We’re so excited for everybody to track in to look what we now have in retailer!”
You’ll be informed extra about PLU by means of going to powerliftingunited.com and following @powerlifting.united on Instagram.
