What does a red light indicate during a lift?

A red light during a powerlifting lift signifies that the lift has not been deemed successful according to the referees' judgment. This may occur for various reasons, such as failing to meet specific technical criteria during the lift, like not achieving proper depth in a squat, not locking out the arms in a bench press, or any other rule violation that would render the lift invalid. The referees evaluate each lift based on strict adherence to the rules outlined by the International Powerlifting Federation, and a red light serves as a clear signal that one or more of these standards has not been met, categorizing the attempt as unsuccessful.

In contrast, a successful lift would be indicated by white lights, showing that the lifter has adhered to the established guidelines throughout the attempt. The other options do not accurately represent the meaning of a red light, as they either suggest success or pertain to circumstances that do not directly relate to the referees’ judgment on the validity of the lift.