Norwich alum and powerlifter Dan Conant poses with other competitors at the 1st annual USPA meet at the Norwich YMCA held in August 2024. (Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – After success last fall, the United States Powerlifting Association returns to the Norwich Family YMCA on May 25 for a second time.

Dan Conant, Norwich alum, active powerlifter, and YMCA Staff member, brought the idea to Executive Director Jamey Mullen last year, where there were 30 participants and although the event did have its advertising challenges, it was a success.

“Last year went really well,” Conant said. “It exceeded my expectations by a lot.”

Conant said this year, there are already 30 participants signed up and expects more. The event requires at least 15 people alone for it to run, so that won’t be an issue but usually has a limit of 45. However, if there is 45 or more, it would only extend how many lifters are in each class.

Registration will close on May 1 with a fee of $45 for teens and $80 for adults 18 or older to join the USPA. However, there is an additional fee for the event itself.

Conant expressed that this event allows participants to break national, state, and even world records, which Conant is looking to break more records, especially aiming for the squat records.

The events include: Full Power, Bench Only, and Deadlift Only with categories of Raw, Classic Raw, Single Ply, and Multi Ply.

The event also features several awards for each class of first, second, and third place finishes: Open, Junior (by age: 10 to 23), Submaster (35-39), Master (by age: 40-older), and even gives out an award for the best lifter. For a chance at the best lifter award, you must have five or more competitors in your class.

Competitors could also qualify for any International Powerlifting League (IPL) competition or USPA National Level Competition with the necessary qualifying total during the appropriate qualifying period, according to the USPA website.

Weigh ins will take place on Saturday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and also from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. All weigh-ins will be done by appointment and the link to make an appointment will be emailed two weeks out.

The event itself will begin on Sunday, May 25 with warmups starting at 8 a.m. and lifting beginning at 9 a.m.

Spectators can watch for a $10 fee.

“Bringing a national event to Norwich raises awareness for the sport and brings more publicity to the area,” Conant said. “People will remember if you break a record.”

Conant also hopes the success of having USPA sanctioned events in Norwich run annually. As a powerlifter himself, Conant has developed a good relationship with the USPA and as long as the relationship and money flow is strong, it will continue to come back. Conant has put too much ground work into the event for it not to be a staple here in Norwich.

To become a USPA member and to sign up for the event, go to https://uspa.net/event/2025-uspa-tested-and-open-cny-open-norwich-new-york/.