2011 Raw Unity Powerlifting Championships FAQ  

What is Raw Unity? 

The Raw Unity Meet was created in 2007 as a way for the best raw lifters in the United States to come together under one roof to compete under a common set of rules to see who is the strongest in each weight class.  In order to avoid federation politics, the Raw Unity Meet always has been and always will be unsanctioned.  All lifters from all federations are welcomed.  There is only one division for the Raw Unity Powerlifting Championships:  Open. 

How do I qualify for Raw Unity?   

For 2011, if you have competed in Raw Unity 3 then you are automatically added to the list.  Everyone else needs to post a qualifying total by 18 October 2010.  Invitations will be sent out to the top 20 in each division on 22 October.  Initial invitations need to be accepted or declined by 29 October.  Additional invitations, if needed, will be sent out on 1 November; with those additional invitations needing to be accepted or declined by 5 November.  On 5 November the roster for Raw Unity 4 will be set.  On January 3^rd, the entry forms are due for every competitor. 

What are the rules of Raw Unity? 

The rules of performance of Raw Unity can be found  here   Please take note that for the squat, the hip joint going lower than the knee joint is the same as the top crease of the hip being lower than the top of the knee.  If you are unsure about what will pass in the squat for Raw Unity, then submit your videos to erictalmant@yahoo.com and I will run them by our judges.  Our judging team is very experienced.  They are not asking you to do any more than the rules that are written.  However, please understand that our judging team interprets the rules exactly as written.  Having the top of your leg parallel with the ground does not mean you have broken parallel!  The same goes for the bench press and the deadlift.  If you have any reservations, just email me your videos and I will let you know if it would pass at Raw Unity.  We want to ensure that every lifter has all of the tools he or she needs to be successful in this event. 

What personal costume items are allowed at Raw Unity? 

Lifters are allowed to wear a non-supportive singlet, wrist wraps of any length, competition powerlifting belt, and approved NEOPRENE knee sleeves.  If you have any questions at all about anything you would like to use at Raw Unity that you are unsure of, then please email me and I will let you know if it can be used in Raw Unity.  

What equipment will be used on the platform at Raw Unity? 

For the squat, we use a combo rack that is an ER rack, Polak Rack, or something similar.  We use the 55 pound, 8 foot long Texas squat bar for the men’s squat and the 45 pound Texas power bar for the women’s squat.  For the bench press, we use the bench that attaches to the combo rack, and a 45 pound Texas power bar.  We have used a 20 kilo Ivanko bar for the bench press in the past, but due to the whip of the bar we have changed to the Texas power bar.  For the deadlift, we use the 7.5 foot Texas deadlift bar.  The plates are chrome Ivanko and calibrated. 

What is the date and location for Raw Unity 2011?

The 2011 Raw Unity Powerlifting Championships will be held in Tampa, Florida, at the scenic Jackson Springs Recreation Center.  The women, men’s lightweight, and deadlift only will be on Saturday, January 22nd.  The men’s middleweight, men’s heavyweight, and bench only will be on Sunday, January 23^rd. 

Meet Awards: 

For each class, 1^st place-3^rd place will be recognized with a medal and certificates; and there will be an awards podium just like at the Olympics.  In addition, there will (hopefully) be prize money for the best lightweight lifters (up to 181), best middleweight lifters (182-242), best heavyweight lifters(243-Unlimited), best female lightweight (105-132), best female middleweight (133-Unlimited), best bench press lightweight (up to 198) and best bench press heavyweight (199-unlimited).  For each best lifter ranking, Raw Unity will once again use the Wilks formula.  If you have any questions about the Wilks formula, then please Google “Wilks Formula” or email me.  Exact prize money amounts will be disclosed as the date draws nearer. 

What is the official web site? 

In case you are not aware, the official meet web site is http://www.rawunitymeet.com.  Most of what you need to know about the meet will be posted on the site, along with each newsletter, entry form, and any changes that may occur.  If you know of anyone that is interested in competing, attending, or helping out at the Raw Unity Meet I ask that you direct that person to the web site for information.   

When can I register? 

The 2011 Raw Unity Championships will be a 2 day event.  The competition will be on January 22^nd and 23rd in Tampa, Florida.  Qualifying totals will be accepted up until 18 October 2010.  Registration for the event is now open.  The qualifying totals for each weight class can be found here and you can use any meet to qualify just as long as we can verify your results as being done raw.  For qualifying purposes the definition of raw is whatever that federation says it is.  For example, if someone competes in the APA then they are allowed to use the monolift and knee wraps.  However, once they are at the Raw Unity Championships they are subject to the rules and regulations that we have outlined specifically for Raw Unity.  These can also be found on the web site or by following the link provided above under “What are the rules of Raw Unity?”  

Who will be sponsoring the event and what will the prize money be?   

More information on the 2011 Raw Unity Championships sponsors and prize money will be released very soon.  Last year, over $4000 in cash was awarded and distributed among the various best lifters, and there were many free giveaways from our generous sponsors. 

Will there be drug testing? 

No.  Since this is an unsanctioned event that happens once a year, it would be much easier for a lifter to “beat” a planned drug test.  Furthermore, there are some lifters out there that use either hormone replacement therapy, hormones for the treatment of a medical condition, or designer drugs that there are no known tests for.  I have had extensive conversations with some very knowledgeable people regarding this issue, and rather than try to spend money on testing that is flawed in one way or another I felt it was better to use the funds that would be allocated for drug testing for some other aspect of the meet; such as prize money or more food for the lifters.  We understand that it takes a certain kind of lifter to be able to compete under these circumstances; but overall this is the majority opinion of the lifters that have chosen to compete at Raw Unity.  We have drug tested in the past, but we will not do so for 2011.  If you have any questions about this rule change then feel free to email me at erictalmant@yahoo.com .