New Zealand All-Round Weightlifting Open 2025

After a long hiatus, All-Round Weightlifting is back in Aotearoa!
The first initiative we are launching is an annual All-Round Open. While things are getting back off the ground here in NZ, and until we have support to run in-person competitions, this will serve as our major annual competition. 

Format

This is a virtual open competition, similar to the World Virtual Competition held by IAWA during the COVID pandemic. 
This means that it is an online, virtual competition. 
Lifters will submit videos of the competition lifts (during the allocated time) to our Facebook group and these will be judged by me (Cliff Harvey) in my capacity as an IAWA referee. 

Videos should be:

• Taken from the front, giving a clear view of all phases of the lift
• Must be uneditted (except for cropping beginning and end, so long as it doesn't affect judging the lift)
• Lifters should submit their best of 3 attempts. As a virtual event, we rely on lifter's honesty

The Lifts

The competition lifts for the first AWNZ Open will be:

Reflex Clean & Press
The rules of performance for the clean and push press apply, except that the lift must be 
completed in one continuous movement from start to finish (i.e. the lifter is not permitted to 
rest after the clean and before starting the push press). The lifter will use a reflex movement 
to come straight out of the clean receiving position and push press the bar out to 
completion.

​Hack Lift
The rules of performance for the deadlift apply, except that the bar will be placed behind the 
lifter, and will remain behind throughout the lift. The bar may touch the calves and upper 
legs as it rises. The bar should be raised in one movement, but should the bar bind against 
the upper legs it is permissible for the bar to stop while a hip adjustment is made, so long as 
the bar does not lower during that adjustment.​

Dates

Lifts must be uploaded to the Facebook group on the 3rd or 4th of May 2025. 
​Also, provide your full name, age, and weight. 

General Competition Rules

Because this is an online virtual meet, we expect lifters to conduct themselves with honour and honesty.
Official records will not be awarded but best lifts for Open performances will be kept in a separate category. Similarly, as there are no in-event officials, there will be no drug testing but as an affiliate of the IAWA, a drug-tested organisation, any use of WADA banned substances is not allowed. 
Competitors suspected of using any sanctioned performance-enhancing drugs, non-permitted equipment, or any other breach of IAWA rules may be asked to provide a drug test administered by a reputable 3rd party or other evidence pertinent to their suspected breach of rules. 

Please see the IAWA/AWNZ rules on clothing, footwear, etc., here: The IAWA (UK) Rule Book

The Reflex Clean & Push Press

Heading by Cliff Harvey

The Hack Lift

AWNZ - The Hack Lift by Cliff Harvey