2026 Competition Updates: Weight classes, virtual competitions and more

British Weight Lifting (BWL) has confirmed several important updates taking effect in 2026. These include new weight classes, changes to virtual competitions, and reminders regarding competition regulations. Please review the information below carefully.

Member updates:

Weight Class Changes (Effective 1 August 2026)

BWL will introduce new weight classes for all age groups from 1 August 2026. All existing results recorded on Sport80 will be reclassified into the new categories outlined below.

New record standards, as well as Under 10 and Under 12 weight classes, will be announced in due course.

Senior & Junior Weight Classes

Women Senior & Junior	Men Senior & Junior	Female  Youth	Male  Youth
W49	M60	W45	M55
W53	M65	W49	M60
W57	M70	W53	M65
W61	M75	W57	M70
W69	M85	W61	M75
W77	M95	W69	M85
W86	M110	W77	M95
W+86	M+110	W+77	M+95

Virtual Competitions

BWL will no longer offer virtual competitions during the 2026 calendar year.

This decision has been made to strengthen alignment with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) processes. BWL remains committed to delivering fair, compliant, and high-quality competitive opportunities for all members.

Club updates:

Important Reminders for Clubs (Tier 3 Events)

The following reminders apply to all BWL-sanctioned competitions.

Coaches

Only BWL-licensed coaches are permitted in the warm-up area at BWL-sanctioned events.

Licensed coaches must hold all of the following:

• A valid BWL membership (supporter membership excluded)
• A current BWL coaching licence
  (requires a Level 2 BWL coaching qualification)
• An enhanced DBS check
• A valid face-to-face safeguarding qualification

Competition hosts are welcome to check the validity of coach licence prior to the competition by sending through a list to enquiries@britishweightlifting.org.  

Referees

All competition Technical Officials must hold a valid licence.

Each competition session must be officiated by either:

• Three Level 2 Technical Officials, or
• One Level 3 (or higher) Technical Official

Post-Competition Reporting

• Competition results and a list of session referees must be emailed to the competitions team after the event.
• Results may be submitted in any format.
• This email is required in addition to uploading results to Sport80.
• The email subject line must include the competition name.
• The full names of all referees must be clearly listed.

Send results and referee details to: competitions@britishweightlifting.org

Records

• Records may only be broken at competitions officiated by three licensed referees.
• Notification must be sent to competitions@britishweightlifting.org within one week of the competition.

Safeguarding

All competitions must have a designated safeguarding/welfare officer present.

This individual may be:

• The club’s registered safeguarding officer, or
• Another BWL member who holds:
• A valid safeguarding qualification
• An enhanced DBS check

Host Responsibilities

• Clearly display the name of the safeguarding/welfare officer on a sign at the speaker/announcer table
• Notify BWL prior to the event of the individual acting in this role

Safeguarding notifications should be sent to: enquiries@britishweightlifting.org

Under-18 Photography & Videography (All BWL Events)

Under-18 athletes may now opt out of photography and videography at all BWL competitions.

Competition hosts can view athlete preferences via the Lifters Entries Report:

• Photography Consent column (final column)
• 1 = consent provided
• 0 = consent not provided

If consent has not been given:

• Ensure all internal and external photographers and videographers are informed

Further Guidance

The full BWL Video and Photography Guidelines can be found here