2026 Powerlifting United Nationals Preview: High Lifters, Schedule, Data, and How one can Watch

The 2026 Powerlifting United (PLU) Nationwide Championships are set to happen on the weekend of Might 16-17 on the Westin San Antonio North in San Antonio, TX. 300 PLU athletes will grace the platforms within the Lone Star State as they attempt to set private, state, and even nationwide data in addition to a part of a $10,000 purse.

Athletes needed to compete and put up a qualifying complete to be eligible to compete at Nationals. Athletes should weigh in on Friday, Might 15 as a way to compete. The total roster of rivals may be seen on LiftingCast together with their schedule occasions to step onto the platform.

How Powerlifting United Nationals Scoring Works

The very best squat, bench press, and deadlift for every athlete will likely be mixed into a complete. PLU will then use a DOTS coefficient scoring system to make use of the lifter’s complete and weight to calculate their remaining positions. The athletes with the best DOTS in every class would be the winner.

Awards will likely be awarded to the highest three finishers for every gender in every weight class, age group, division, and gear class.

Youth (10-12), Junior (13-23), Open, Sub-Masters (35-39), and Masters (40+) classes are eligible for Finest Lifter awards if they’ve 5 or extra athletes registered inside the similar gender, division, and gear class.

PLU President Ana Perez and her staff have put in lots of hours of labor to make this the very best PLU occasion so far. Perez feels that because of the staff in addition to sponsors like ANIMAL, the U.S. Military, and Repmax, the lifters and viewers have good cause to be excited.

Perez mentioned, “We’re wanting ahead to bringing PLU Nationals to San Antonio. That is our first sold-out Nationals, and we’re so grateful for all of the help from our powerlifting group.”

High Male Powerlifters to Watch at PLU Nationals 2026

Like bodybuilding or some other energy sport, an upset is at all times attainable, however there are additionally established favorites and athletes that followers ought to hold their eyes on in the event that they plan to observe. Based mostly on earlier scores and meets, the athletes to observe for this yr’s Nationals are under.

Zac Meyers

Zac Meyers is the one lifter with a DOTS of over 600. He has competed in each uncooked (no squat go well with or bench press shirt) with sleeves and wraps. He final competed in March 2026 at The Bar Showdown meet, the place he posted a complete of over 2,300 kilos within the 308-pound division at a weight of 285 kilos.

Christian Kearney

This will likely be Christian Kearney’s first meet of 2026, and he’s anticipated to carry within the 148-pound division. Kearney has been competing since 2015, and followers can anticipate him to complete ten occasions over his body weight if he scores on all three lifts. He’s a stable total lifter, however he’s recognized for his 733-pound deadlift that he accomplished in 2024.

Aaron Madriaga

Aaron Madriaga was the second-best total lifter on the 2025 PLU Nationals. The then 41-year-old Masters and Open lifter accomplished a 568-pound squat, benched 385 kilos, and pulled 702 kilos for a complete of 1,655 kilos. Based on Open Powerlifting, this will likely be his first meet since final yr’s Nationals.

Luke Frandsen

This may even be Luke Frandsen’s first meet of the yr after competing thrice in 2025. His greatest end from that yr was on the HGC Derby Metropolis Traditional in June, the place he totaled 1,515.6 kilos. The massive carry of that day was his 629.3-pound deadlift.

Trey Jones

Trey Jones had a profession day when he final stepped on the platform on the 2025 PLU For Tomorrow occasion. His 804.7-pound squat, 462.9-pound bench press, and 815.7-pound pull have been all private bests, leading to a 2,083.3-pound complete.

High Feminine Powerlifters to Watch at PLU Nationals 2026

Allison Whorton

On the ladies’s facet of the platform, Allison Whorton has a DOTS better of 504.82, the very best out of all ladies getting into this meet. She posted that rating with a complete of 1,102.3 kilos at a body weight of just below 155 kilos in March 2025 in Texas. This will likely be her first meet of 2026.

Elizabeth Ribaudo

Coming in with a profession better of lower than one level on DOTS behind Whorton is Elizabeth Ribaudo. She competed two occasions in 2025 beneath the PLU banner, most lately on the Energy Surge Professional/Am occasion, the place she totaled 981 kilos at a weight of 147.2 kilos.

Jennifer Tran

Jennifer Tran is in the identical division as Ribaudo, the 35-39 Submasters, 148-pound class. She received the Submasters championship in her weight class on the 2025 PLU Nationals in New Jersey. Each ladies will compete on the primary day of the competitors. Tran will likely be in Flight A, and Ribaudo will likely be on the next flight.

Tammy Mims

Tammy Mims is a Masters 50+ athlete, and he or she has profession bests of over 400 kilos on each the squat and deadlift. She’s going to doubtless be competing within the 165-pound class for each Open and Masters.

Amanda LeMarble

Amanda Lemarble was first within the 181-pound Open division on the 2025 PLU Nationals. Apart from successful, she might have a look at breaking her private greatest deadlift of 474 kilos at this occasion. She hit that quantity on the 2025 Uncooked Energy Battle meet in Portage, Michigan.

How one can Watch the 2026 Powerlifting United (PLU) Nationwide Championships

Tickets to the PLU Nationals are bought out, however followers that may’t be in San Antonio can catch each carry stay by watching the free livestream on PLU’s YouTube channel. M&F will likely be there for additional protection and to offer a full recap of the large occasion after it concludes. Perez shared that this will likely be greater than a meet, it will likely be an expertise for all concerned.

“We take a lot satisfaction within the total expertise that we offer at our occasions – every part from the manufacturing, environment, and the degrees of competitors on our platform,” Perez mentioned. “We pulled out all of the stops on this one. We’re so excited for everybody to tune in to see what we’ve in retailer!”

You’ll be able to be taught extra about PLU by going to powerliftingunited.com and following @powerlifting.united on Instagram.