Peter Fiore Tribute
On March 20, 2014 we lost a great man, CPF founder Peter Fiore. This page has been put together as a permanent tribute to Peter, so that in some small way his spirit, his humour, his zest for life and for powerlifting will live on.
Peter Fiore
"A visionary leader who shaped the future of Commonwealth powerlifting"
A Legacy of Excellence
Peter Fiore's contribution to powerlifting extends far beyond competition results. He was instrumental in establishing the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation and was there at the very beginning of modern powerlifting.
I did not know Peter Fiore for as long or as well as I would have liked, but one person who did know him for many years was Richard Parker, CPF President. Below is Richard's tribute to Peter.
— Mike Armstrong, CPF Vice President
Early Career and World Success
Peter Fiore, then working in Zambia, attended the first, albeit unofficial, 1972 IPF World Championships in the USA. He was elected a Vice President of the IPF so was there at the very beginning of modern powerlifting. At the time he was lifting for Africa, but soon after moved to Great Britain and represented them internationally many times.
He was runner up at 75kg in the 1977 World Championships, but in 1978 went one better to take the World title with a 732.5kg total. At this time he was also the World record holder for the squat.
Leadership and Vision
Peter remained active in powerlifting and was the Director of Powerlifting within the British Weightlifters' Association from 2003 to 2006. During this time he established a strong powerlifting administration, which sowed the seeds of the Great Britain Powerlifting Federation.
In 2005 Peter instigated what was to become a very successful new powerlifting organisation, namely the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation (CPF). A well attended inaugural championships was held in Wansbeck, England firmly establishing the CPF on the World powerlifting stage. As President of the CPF, Peter attended every championship, including the last one in Auckland, New Zealand and was very active in encouraging smaller Commonwealth countries to participate.
He also had the vision to introduce what is now known as Classic (unequipped) lifting. Classic lifting has attracted large numbers of athletes as a discipline most easily taken up by the average gym user.
Competitive Achievements
Peter was an accomplished powerlifter throughout his career, achieving success at both senior and masters level.
International Success
- 1978: World Champion at 75kg with 732.5kg total
- 1977: World Championships runner-up at 75kg
- World record holder for the squat
- IPF Vice President from the early days
Continued Excellence
- 2003: Masters World Champion at 90kg
- 2013: M4 83kg World Champion (most recent)
- Set several World records as a master
- Continued competing well into his later years
Career Highlights
- Initially represented Africa (while working in Zambia)
- Later represented Great Britain internationally
- Long-standing International Category 1 Referee
- Officiated regularly at championships
Richard Parker's Personal Tribute
From Richard Parker, CPF President, who worked closely with Peter from the beginning of the CPF.
"I knew Peter from his early lifting days and had the pleasure of refereeing him on several occasions, albeit the speed of his squats made judging depth a challenge. Latterly, I worked closely with him from the beginning of the CPF to promote and develop Commonwealth powerlifting.
He was rightly very proud of everything he had achieved with the CPF and looking forward to bigger and better things. Most recently I worked with Peter to produce a new coaching course for the GBPF and attended a meeting with him on this in London in early March.
He was a friend, colleague and very genuine. Rest in peace Peter, you will be greatly missed."