2026 American Professional Powerlifting Meet: Dates, Athletes, Prize Cash, and Why Followers Are Watching

The 2026 health calendar is already underway, and followers are already marking dates for the massive occasions. There’s the Olympia Weekend in Las Vegas for bodybuilding followers, and strongman supporters at all times stay up for the World’s Strongest Man.

For those who take note of powerlifting, then Aug. 7-8 must be reserved as properly as a result of that’s when the Henrico Sports activities and Occasions Heart in Richmond, VA will host the 2026 American Professional meet. This occasion, sanctioned by Powerlifting United, has solely been round for just a few years, nevertheless it already has the status for being an occasion the place historical past might be made and world information will fall.

“The American Professional represents the best stage of aggressive powerlifting and one of many premier levels on this planet for the game,” stated PLU President Ana Perez. “It brings collectively lots of the strongest women and men on the planet.”

The followers and powerlifting neighborhood in Richmond is simply as enthusiastic about serving because the host metropolis, based on Dennis Bickmeier, Government Director of the Henrico Sports activities & Leisure Authority.

“We’re at all times trying to convey new and distinctive experiences to Henrico, and this championship is an ideal instance of the sort of world-class competitors our facility is constructed to assist. We will’t wait to welcome these unimaginable athletes and introduce followers to one thing totally new at our heart.”

POWERLIFTING AND PRODUCTION

This meet is very anticipated by followers and athletes alike, nevertheless it isn’t solely concerning the large weight being lifted. There’s a particular feeling that comes with stepping on this platform.

“The American Professional has helped elevate powerlifting with professional-level manufacturing, storytelling, and athlete expertise, so the athletes actually really feel like they’re stepping onto a world-class stage.”

There are two days of competitors. Friday, August seventh would be the Open day, the place a mixture of amateurs, Masters, and even some pro-caliber lifters will collect to push themselves and one another to attain new ranges of private excellence. Perez stated that PLU desires to make this occasion as particular as potential for the game, which is why eligibility had been expanded.

“That is the primary time we’ve made the registration accessible to all and and not using a qualifying requirement. They get the complete American Professional expertise and can share the platform with a number of the greatest powerlifters on this planet.”

Saturday, August eighth is the primary occasion of the weekend. At the present time is reserved for these which have been invited to compete based mostly on their world-class performances previously.

Perez stated, “Invites are based mostly on a number of components. We have a look at DOTS and general aggressive excellence, and we additionally need to see some battles and athletes with tales that deserve a stage. Our roster contains world champions, nationwide champions, document holders, lifters who’ve been paving the way in which for many years, and the underdogs with a comeback story to inform.”

Some notable athletes which have lifted on the American Professional previously embrace Brianny Terry, who deadlifted a then world document 641.6 kilos in 2023. She is now an IFBB Professional League Ladies’s Physique athlete. Another names which may be acquainted to followers embrace Hunter Henderson, John Haack, and Danny Grigsby Jr.

PRO DAY COMPETITORS ROSTER

The Open Registration roster remains to be in improvement, however the rosters for the professional day are beneath, within the order they had been offered by PLU.

• Alana Hynes D’Aquino
• Aleksandra Szymczykowska
• Andrew Hause
• Anthony Hobaica
• Blake Lehew
• Brittany Bowles
• Ceejay Byam
• David Raymond
• Drake Stephens
• Edward Blair
• Jawon Garrison
• Jimbo Cooper
• John Haack
• Kalil Zaky
• Keri Smith
• Leonetta Richardson
• Madeleine Forberg
• Maria Ramos
• Melanie Jones
• Micaela Petrigliano
• Michelle Buchanan
• Nelly Dulcien
• Nick Forte
• Omar Villegas
• Phillip Herndon
• Rondell Kelley
• Ronnell Leftwich
• Sara Šobak
• Susan Salazar
• Whitney Baxley

As you may think about, glory and information are motivational sufficient on their very own, however there’s much more on the road than that. There might be a $25,000 prize pool, with payouts going to the highest 5 women and men. Other than the prize cash and the manufacturing worth, powerlifters and followers which have been to PLU meets can affirm that the sensation of neighborhood and empowerment makes them a standout occasion within the sport. Perez shared that even for those who’ve been to different PLU occasions, the American Professional might be one thing past that.

“There’s actually nothing just like the American Professional. If you wish to see energy sports activities at its highest stage, with athletes chasing information and career-defining moments, the American Professional is the place to be. Even for those who’ve by no means adopted powerlifting earlier than, you’ll depart a fan.”

Muscle & Health might be part of the protection of this occasion. Extra particulars will come because the occasion approaches.

For extra data on Powerlifting United, go to the American Professional occasion web site, and observe them on Instagram.