August 30-31, 2008
Charlotte, North Carolina

Meet Hotel:
The Omni Hotel
132 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
1-800-the-omni
Click Here for Online Reservations

Venue:
Spirit Square Mc Glohon Theatre
345 N. College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 372-9664
www.blumenthalcenter.org

Schedule: (Tentative)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Equipment Check in Omni Hotel Lobby, 6:30-8:30pm.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Equipment Check & Weigh-in - 7-8:30 A.M.
NEW - Session 1 (all women, plus men thru 165 lbs) lifting begins at 9 A.M.
Equipment Check & Weigh-in - Noon-1:30 P.M.
Session 2 (181 thru 198 lbs) lifting begins at 2 P.M.
Equipment Check Only - 5-6:30 P.M.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Equipment Check & Weigh-in - 7-8:30 A.M.
Session 3 (220 & 242) lifting begins at 9 A.M.
Equipment Check & Weigh-in - Noon-1:30 P.M.
Session 4 (275 thru SHW) lifting begins at 2 P.M. 

Eligibility:  Open to all registered USA Powerlifting members.  Every lifter must have achieved a Bench Total in a USAPL 3-lift or Bench meet  sometime during the calendar year or 2007-2008 to be eligible for entry.

Rules:  This meet will be sanctioned by USA Powerlifting and all rules used will be those of USA Powerlifting.  One piece lifting singlet required. Any other questions regarding rules contact the meet director.

Technical / Referee Assignment Questions: 
If you have a question concerning the technical rules, or would like to officiate at this championship, please contact Robert Keller at: rhk@verizon.net  Robert will be serving as the Technical Secretary for this championship.

Entry Fee:  $65 (Includes meet shirt), additional event $30, Team entry $60

Entry Deadline: August 5, 2008. Entries Postmarked after Deadline must pay $50 LATE FEE.  All entries must be received by August 9.  Absolutely no entries accepted after August 9. 

Divisions:
Open, Teen, Master, Lifetime, Police & Fire, Military, Junior, Raw

"Raw" is defined as a belt, wrist wraps and knee sleeves only.  Lifters must wear a singlet

Weight Classes: 
Men: 123, 132, 148, 165, 181, 198, 220, 242, 275, SHW
Women:  105, 114, 123, 132, 148, 165, 181, 198, SHW

Awards:  1^st – 5th Open,  1st - 3rd All other divisions
Best Lifter Awards

T-shirts:  Multi color design T-shirts for $15 each  

Reps Contest
Following each session there will be a repetitions contest. Women will rep 75% of their bodyweights. Men up to the 220lb. class will rep their body weights. Men in the 242lb. class and up will rep 225 lb. The winners of each session will receive a  trophy. Athlete’s can sign up at the competition for an additional $10.00.  Overall Winner of the Rep Contest will receive a set of Boards from West Cary Barbell.  Click here for more info on the boards

After Party
Sunday after lifting is completed there will be a party for lifters and friends at a location close to the venue.  Location will be the Whiskey River.  There will be food, drinks, and music. The band will be 200 Joules, www.200Joules.com.   Plan to attend it will be a blast!

http://whiskyrivercharlotte.com/

NEWS:

Bench Nationals Forum

09/05/08: Meet DVD and Photos are available from Christy Newman at www.christynewman.smugmug.com

09/02/08: Results Posted under Roster or Click here

08/26/08:  Additional information on transportation from the airport has been posted under the Travel section.

08/22/08: New information posted on Places to Go! Be sure to check this out and visit these local businesses during your stay.  They are supporting this event, so please support those that support you!  Also a map of the city center with local businesses and attractions.

08/08/08: Final Roster Posted.  174 lifters

08/08/08: Roster Updated.  
SCHEDULE CHANGE:  The 165 men's class will be moved to Session 1 on Saturday morning.

08/08/08: Records Notice!  Anyone planning on breaking an age related record, please bring proof of their age to the meet.

08/05/08: DEADLINE is TODAY!  Entry forms must be postmarked today.  Entries post marked after today must pay a $50 Late fee.  All entries must be received by August 9.  No exceptions.  Roster Updated.

08/04/08: NOTICE, a few rooms have opened up at the Omni Hotel, if you need one book it ASAP before they are booked full, see TRAVEL section.

08/04/08: Updated Roster

08/04/08: Message from "200 JOULES" the band playing at the After Party Click Here

08/01/08: Roster updated

07/29/08: Updated TRAVEL with information about local attraction and tourist info, check toward the bottom of the page for helpful links.

07/29/08:  The location for the Sunday night After Party has been announced and will be the Whiskey River.  Check out the website for more info:
http://whiskyrivercharlotte.com/

07/28/08: BEST LIFTER AWARDS Will be Katana Swords provided by Titan Support.

07/28/08: Roster Updated

07/26/08: Roster updated, Champions Updated

07/25/08: The Omni Hotel is fully booked.  For alternate hotels, see the TRAVEL section.

07/25/08: Updated Travel, Roster, and Champions

07/25/08: Roster updated

07/11/08: The new Q Bar from Quest Nutrition will be the official competition bar used at this event.

05/03/08: There is a Virgina Tech college game being played at Panthers Stadium on the same day as BP Nationals. The hotels are starting to book up all ready.  Do not wait to make your reservations, you may be in trouble if you do.
HOTEL INFO IS LOCATED UNDER TRAVEL

04/18/08: Roster posted.  World Team coaches updated.

03/20/08:  This event is an Official qualifier for the 2009 IPF Titan Pro Bench @ the Arnold Expo.  For more info check here

03/18/08:  Hotel Reservation link added to Travel page

03/12/08:  Official Entry Form Posted

03/09/08:  World Team Bios Updated, Sponsorship info posted

02/24/08:  World Team Bios Updated

02/20/08: Forum added: http://2008benchnationals.com/yabb/YaBB.pl

02/10/2008: This event is a qualifier for the 2009 IPF World Bench Championships to be held in Hamm, Luxembourg on May 27-30, 2009

02/10/2008: Website Opened

Entry Form / Roster / Travel Info / 2007 Champions / World Team / Forum