For the Super Meet on May 21st, we will use two scoring coefficients: Sinclair for the snatch and clean & jerk and the Wilks for the back squat, bench press, and deadlift.

Before I get into the specifics, I wanted to address what these coefficients are and why we are using them.

The History

For as long back as history dates, feats of strength have been put on display in many different fashions–whether that be picking up a stone, throwing an object as far or high as possible, or just flexing your muscles and showing off in front of a crowd.

But when the Olympics introduced weightlifting as a sport in 1896, confusion began to emerge. Spectators were having a hard time deciding who really was the strongest athlete since some athletes were taller and heavier than others. So in 1920, the Olympic committee introduced weight classes.

As the differing sports of weight training gained popularity, individuals like Bob Hoffman began to introduce theories on how to find the strongest pound-for-pound lifter across weight divisions. You would think that you just divide the total weight lifted by the individual’s bodyweight… but it’s not that simple.

As sports science developed and data was recorded, old theories were amended, new theories created, and coefficients were proposed. Until today, there is still scrutiny among the most popular lifting coefficients: Sinclair and Wilk’s.

Instead of attempting to propose something new, or telling you what I don’t like about these coefficients, I’m going to explain the scoring as straightforward as possible so you can maximize your score in a couple weeks.

Scoring at the Utah Super Meet

1. Before competition, athletes will step on a scale individually and record their bodyweight in the morning. After athlete check-in, they are free to eat or drink however much they want. No additional weigh-ins will be necessary.
2. Athletes will first snatch and then clean & jerk. The sum total of both of these lifts will constitute their weightlifting total. This total will then be multiplied by the Sinclair coefficient using this calculator to determine the athlete’s weightlifting score.
3. This weightlifting score will then be published to Competition Corner and athletes will receive points for where they place among the competition. 1st place will receive 1 points, 2nd place will receive 2 points, etc. The lower the score, the better.
4. Athletes will then back squat, bench press, and deadlift. The sum total of these three lifts will constitute as their powerlifting total. This total will then be multiplied by the Wilks coefficient using this calculator to determine the athlete’s powerlifting score.
5. This powerlifting score will then be published to Competition Corner and follow the same process as step #3.
6. Whoever has the fewest number of points will win.
   1. In the case of a tie, each athlete will default to their higher placing of their two scores (i.e. If I took 2nd place in the weightlifting total and 7th place in the powerlifting total, my tiebreak score is 2.)
   2. The second tiebreak will be the lower placing of their two scores. (i.e. Again, If I took 2nd place in the weightlifting total and 7th place in the powerlifting total, my second tiebreak score will be 7.)

Disclaimer

This event is Year 1 of the first Super Meet in Utah (that we’re at least aware of). We plan to improve on the lessons we learn this year in scoring (especially scoring disputes) and make this event even better next year.

We recognize that we may be overseeing some things here, but request that you give us your feedback throughout the competition.

Our vision is to eventually crown the strongest pound-for-pound lifter in Utah. This will be Year 1 of many more to come!

Tyler