How can a lifter alter their weight class during a competition?

In powerlifting competitions, once a lifter submits their opening attempts, they cannot change their weight class. This rule is in place to maintain the integrity and fairness of the competition by ensuring that all lifters compete within the weight class they have officially entered for that event.

Prior to the weigh-ins, a lifter can choose their weight class based on their body weight; however, once that decision is finalized through the submission of opening attempts, the lifter is locked into their weight class for the duration of the competition. This prevents any last-minute adjustments that could provide an advantage or disrupt the flow of the event. As a result, any notion of changing weight class after committing to their opening attempts is not allowed, reinforcing the importance of careful pre-competition planning regarding weight management and class selection.