The USPA New York Fall Brawl will be held at the Norwich Family YMCA on September 7. The last day to register is Saturday, August 24 at USPA.net. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NORWICH – The USPA, the sanctioned and largest powerlifting federation in the United States is making its way to the Norwich Family YMCA in September.

The registration deadline is fast approaching with the last day to sign up is August 24. The USPA hosts events all across the nation with the sport of powerlifting on the rise.

Norwich alum and YMCA staff member Dan Conant, who attends around seven powerlifting meets a year, brought the idea to YMCA Executive Director Jamey Mullen, who collaborated with the meet director himself to get approval to host. Since receiving approval, Conant has been a strong advocate in pushing advertising on his social media platforms, where he has a lot of inspired youth who want to follow in his footsteps as a power lifter. Conant will be competing in the event as well as some teens that he’s helped coach/mentor at the YMCA.

“I hope it’ll be a good turnout,” Conant said. “There is a lot to gain from this event, such as bringing awareness to the sport of powerlifting and bringing more opportunities to the community. It is also great to see more youth involved.”

The USPA 2024 Tested and Non-Test New York Fall Brawl in Norwich will be held on Saturday September 7 from the YMCA gymnasium. Warmups begin at 8 a.m. from court 2 and lifting to begin at 9 a.m. from court 3. Weigh-ins will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 4 to 5 p.m. and will be by appointment only with links sent out via email.

The maximum number of participants to enter this event is 45, but the event needs 30 alone to be held. Anyone 13 and up is eligible to participate and the event is based on age and weight as well as strength, meaning the lifters will be divided from weakest to strongest.

The registration fee is $45 for teens and $80 for an adult 18 and older. However, Conant said that is just to become a USPA member and that there’s also an additional fee for the event as well.

This event does not award monetarily, but first, second, and third place earn medals as well as the best lifter, which is each qualified lifter with five or more competitors in their class. There is a lot to gain from this event, Conant said. Lifters could rank anywhere from Elite to international elite, but they have to earn it.

“You could qualify to go to bigger and better events from this meet,” Conant said. “Records could also be broken here as well.”

Conant, as well as local Norwich teens, have broken various powerlifting records in the past and others can certainly do the same at the YMCA event in September.

If you cannot participate in this event, but would like to see what it is about, spectators can watch for a $10 fee.

For more information about the Norwich USPA event and to register, please visit https://uspa.net/event/uspa-2024-tested-and-non-tested-new-york-fall-brawl-norwich-new-york/ . To learn more about the USPA, visit their website at uspa.net.