Thursday, October 1, 2026

Pumping iron in paradise: Orange Beach hosts world powerlifting championship

Top lifters represent home countries on Gulf Coast in squat, bench press, deadlift

By Cole McNanna
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com

Posted 10/24/22

Originally slated to be held in Russia, the International Powerlifting League’s World Championship meet was moved to the Orange Beach Event Center and was held last weekend. The meet started …

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Pumping iron in paradise: Orange Beach hosts world powerlifting championship

Top lifters represent home countries on Gulf Coast in squat, bench press, deadlift

The Orange Beach Event Center was the new location of the International Powerlifting League’s World Championship meet after it was originally slated to be held in Russia. Last weekend, the top lifters represented their countries on the Alabama Gulf Coast in the squat, bench press and deadlift.

The Orange Beach Event Center was the new location of the International Powerlifting League’s World Championship meet after it was originally slated to be held in Russia. Last weekend, the top lifters represented their countries on the Alabama Gulf Coast in the squat, bench press and deadlift.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Valerie Smith locks out on a first-attempt deadlift of 407.8 pounds (185 kg) in the final leg of the first day of competition in the IPL World Championships at the Orange Beach Event Center.

Valerie Smith locks out on a first-attempt deadlift of 407.8 pounds (185 kg) in the final leg of the first day of competition in the IPL World Championships at the Orange Beach Event Center.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

19-year-old Mcvay Stockwell pulls a world record-setting deadlift of 661.4 pounds (300 kg) on the first day of competition in the IPL’s World Championship meet at the Orange Beach Event Center Oct. 20. Stockwell represented Team USA as the 75kg open junior world champion.

19-year-old Mcvay Stockwell pulls a world record-setting deadlift of 661.4 pounds (300 kg) on the first day of competition in the IPL’s World Championship meet at the Orange Beach Event Center Oct. 20. Stockwell represented Team USA as the 75kg open junior world champion.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

84-year-old Michael Harrington deadlifts a state record 297.6 pounds (135 kg) as part of Day 1 of competition at the International Powerlifting League’s world championship meet hosted at the Orange Beach Event Center.

84-year-old Michael Harrington deadlifts a state record 297.6 pounds (135 kg) as part of Day 1 of competition at the International Powerlifting League’s world championship meet hosted at the Orange Beach Event Center.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Taylor Castille reacts to her state record bench press of 248 pounds (112.5 kg) Sunday, Oct. 22, on the final day of lifting at the Orange Beach Event Center for the 2022 International Powerlifting League’s world championship meet.

Taylor Castille reacts to her state record bench press of 248 pounds (112.5 kg) Sunday, Oct. 22, on the final day of lifting at the Orange Beach Event Center for the 2022 International Powerlifting League’s world championship meet.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Chilean supporters cheer on Matais Quiñinano Peñ to a national record-setting deadlift of 518.1 pounds (235 kg) at the World Championship meet of the International Powerlifting League Oct. 20 at the Orange Beach Event Center.

Chilean supporters cheer on Matais Quiñinano Peñ to a national record-setting deadlift of 518.1 pounds (235 kg) at the World Championship meet of the International Powerlifting League Oct. 20 at the Orange Beach Event Center.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Heather Grimes celebrates her final-attempt clearance on the deadlift of 303.1 pounds (137.5 kg) at the IPL World Championship meet at the Orange Beach Event Center Oct. 20.

Heather Grimes celebrates her final-attempt clearance on the deadlift of 303.1 pounds (137.5 kg) at the IPL World Championship meet at the Orange Beach Event Center Oct. 20.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Team USA representatives pose for a picture after the first day of competition at the IPL World Championship in Orange Beach last Thursday, Oct. 20.

Team USA representatives pose for a picture after the first day of competition at the IPL World Championship in Orange Beach last Thursday, Oct. 20.

Cole McNanna / Gulf Coast Media

Posted Monday, October 24, 2022 6:59 pm

By Cole McNanna
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com

Originally slated to be held in Russia, the International Powerlifting League’s World Championship meet was moved to the Orange Beach Event Center and was held last weekend. The meet started with a bang after 26 world records were set on the first day of competition.

Top lifters represented their country on the Alabama Gulf Coast in the squat, bench press and deadlift and battled for the title of top lifter in their weight class and division.

Although the island is no stranger to powerlifting, another major meet will be held on the Gulf Coast when the United States Powerlifting Association hosts its National Championship meet July 18-23, 2023.