The various federations of powerlifting have their own championships. The International Powerlifting Federation's (IPF) recognition by the International Olympic Committee as the official governing body, as well its longevity has resulted in their championships being deemed the official world championships, and the results of these are shown below. However, other respected federations have had their own world champions also (much as boxing world champions are divided among a myriad of organizations). For world champions associated with other federations see the articles for those federations for more information.
1980 Lowell | USA}} Fruth Joan | JPN}} Ono Yuko | JPN}} Haruko Saikachi |
1981 Honolulu | USA}} Donna Wicker | JPN}} Yoshida Hisako | GBR}} Suzanne Smith |
1982 Birmingham | USA}} Ginger Lord | GBR}} Ann Brown | CAN}} Kelly Bonnie |
1983 Adelaide | USA}} Cheryl Jones | JPN}} Yoshida Hisako | AUS}} Glenda Bottica |
1984 Santa Monica | USA}} Cheryl Jones | BEL}} Marie-France Vassart | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala |
1985 Vienna | USA}} Cheryl Jones | USA}} Nancy Belliveau | BEL}} Marie-France Vassart |
1986 Hestra | USA}} Judith Gedney | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | SWE}} Anna-Maija Honka |
1987 Perth | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | JPN}} Yoshida Hisako | USA}} Ann Leverett |
1988 Brussels | JPN}} Yoshida Hisako | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | USA}} Ann Leverett |
1989 Sydney | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | FIN}} Vuokko Viitasaari | USA}} Maria Delcastillo |
1990 Jonkoping | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | GBR}} Helen Wolsey | JPN}} Yoshida Hisako |
1991 New Delhi | GBR}} Helen Wolsey | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | IND}} C. Chamundeshwari |
1992 Ghent | GBR}} Helen Wolsey | FRA}} Natalhie Janot | FIN}} Leena Jokitalo |
1993 Jonkoping | FRA}} Natalhie Janot | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | TPE}} Hsu Yen-Ping |
1994 Rotorua | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | FRA}} Natalhie Janot | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen |
1995 Chiba | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala |
1996 Kitchener | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | FRA}} Natalhie Janot |
1997 Cape Town | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala | TPE}} Chang Lien-Ju |
1998 Mo i Rana | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala |
1999 Thisted | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | TPE}} Chen Chun-Ju | FIN}} Anna-Liisa Prinkkala |
2000 Buenos Aires | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | TPE}} Chen Chun-Ju | FIN}} Vuokko Viitasaari |
2001 Frydek-Mistek | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | TPE}} Chen Wei-Ling | FRA}} Benedicte Lepanse |
2002 Riesa | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | TPE}} Chen Wei-Ling | FRA}} Benedicte Lepanse |
2003 Chicago | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | RUS}} Svetlana Tesleva | TPE}} Chen Wei-Ling |
2004 Cahors | FIN}} Koskinen Raija-Anneli | USA}} Ashley Robbins | USA}} Carder Tina |
2005 Ylitornio | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | TPE}} Chen Wei-Ling | USA}} Cheryl Anderson |
2006 Stavanger | FIN}} Raija-Anneli Koskinen | JPN}} Hara Azusa | FRA}} Sylviane Bechar |