USAWA

by Jarrod Fobes

MEET RESULTS - GRACIE JUDO CLUB RECORD DAY

Jarrod Fobes, the meet director for the Gracie Judo Club Record Day, performs a USAWA record in the Miller Clean and Jerk.

We had a small but dedicated turn out Saturday.  Dan Wagman stepped out of retirement for “just one more” record day (I suspect that Dan is retired from lifting the same way I am retired from fighting). Newcomer Evan Sioros came and set a couple of records as he learned some of the lifts, but it was all Ruth Jackson’s show as she set a whopping 43 records! Rather she set records on 43 lifts, setting and crushing records in both the Master’s and Open categories. I myself broke the bone-head record. In the middle of the lifting I decided to set a repetition record for chin-ups. I managed 18 reps, however I forgot that the rules state that “the weight of the lifter is not factored into the overall weight of the lift”. So if any math whiz out there can figure out how to give me a record for pulling 18 reps of zero weight, I’ll be your friend for life!

MEET RESULTS

Gracie Judo Club Record Day
Gracie Judo Club
Littleton, CO
December 1st, 2012

Meet Director: Jarrod Fobes

Officials (1-official system used): Jarrod Fobes, Karena Fobes

Lifts: Record Day

Jarrod Fobes - BWT 190 lbs, AGE 35 

Miller Clean and Jerk: 115lbs
Chin up: 45lbs
Pull up: 45lbs
Hack Lift – Middle Fingers: 135lbs

Ruth Jackson - BWT 104 lbs, AGE 50

Crucifix:  22lbs
Lateral Raise - Lying: 32lbs
Lateral Raise -Standing: 22lbs
Swing – Dumbell, Right Arm:  48.5lbs
Swing – Dumbbell, Left Arm:  48.5lbs
Squat - Lunge: 106lbs
Good Morning: 101lbs
Bent Over Row:  90lbs
Deadlift – No Thumb, Right Arm:  81lbs
Deadlift – No Thumb, Left Arm: 81lbs
Deadlift – No Thumbs, Overhand Grip: 155lbs
Deadlift -Ciavattone Grip:  175lbs
Deadlift -Heels Together:  205lbs
Deadlift – No Thumbs: 225lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift -1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  116lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand: 116lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand: 117.25lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand: 117.25lbs
Press – Dumbbell, Right Arm:  36lbs
Press – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 36lbs
Clean & Push Press – 2 Dumbbells:  62lbs
Clean &  Press – 2 Dumbbells, Heels Together: 72lbs
Clean and Seated Press:  56lbs
Clean and Press -Heels Together: 71lbs
Cleand and Press -12″ Base: 86lbs
Pinch Grip:  117.2lbs
Rectangular Fix: 50lbs
Curl – Reverse Grip: 55lbs
Curl – Strict: 55lbs
Curl – Cheat: 86lbs
Curl – Cheat, Reverse Grip: 86lbs
Finger Lift -Right Little: 16.25lbs
Finger Lift -Left Little: 16.25lbs
Finger Lift -Right Thumb: 23.75lbs
Finger Lift – Left Thumb: 23.75lbs
Finger Lift – Right Ring: 36.25lbs
Finger Lift – Left Ring: 36.25lbs
Finger Lift – Right Index: 38.75lbs
Finger Lift – Left Index: 38.75lbs
Finger Lift – Right Middle: 43.75lbs
Finger Lift – Left Middle: 43.75lbs

Dan Wagman - BWT 185 lbs, AGE 50

Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand:  189lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand: 164lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Right Hand: 211lbs
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1″, Left Hand: 211lbs
Pinch Grip:  190.5lbs
Hack Lift – Right Arm:  275lbs
Hack Lift – Left Arm:  275lbs

by Roger LaPointe

ATOMIC ATHLETIC

The Cannon Lift ultimately did him in. Of course, it was a 1000 pound cannon, not any ordinary object and Warren Lincoln Travis was no ordinary man. Travis was actually on the platform doing a show, at 66 years old, when he finally kicked the bucket. He was engaged at an exhibit at Coney Island, and the last show was about 12:30 AM, July 13, 1941… long before the days of steroids.

SIGNATURE LIFTS: The Travis Secret

Everyone wants to know how a guy like Warren Lincoln Travis could get so strong. After all, it is not every 66 year old who can lift a 1000 pound cannon, which he had done many times before it finally killed him. Harness lifting was the Travis secret. In fact, it was the specifically the hip lift that he was most known for. On the occasion of Travis’ 66th birthday, Siegmund Klein and Milo Steinborn witnessed Travis completing 1000 repetitions with 1000 pounds in a mere 40 minutes. He did it in sets of 50 and 75 reps with a little rest between. Richard K. Fox, the owner of the National Police Gazette dubbed Travis “The World’s Strongest Man”, giving him a diamond encrusted that was part of the reward for anyone who could best Travis. No one ever did.

The Warren Lincoln Travis Challenge was well publicized and the USAWA has had several contests with those lifts. For now, all you need to know is that Travis’ specialties were the back lift, harness lifts and finger lifts.

Ready for the Travis path? If so, then start with this video:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=VID005

Then proceed on to this kind of equipment:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=AR004

Now you are moving toward real strength.

by Al Myers

Group picture from Dinnie Stone Trip 2001.

I always like to find good pictures that supplement the history of the USAWA and the IAWA.  Recently Kevin Fulton shared this group picture with me from the day in 2001 when he lifted the Dinnie Stones in Scotland.  As most know by now, Kevin was the second American to lift both stones at the same time without the use of lifting straps.  He was 41 years old at the time. 

I can name a few lifters in this picture but I need help in identifying everyone.  If you know any of these individuals, please email me or post the names in the discussion forum and I will add it to this story.

UPDATE:  Andy Tomlin has provided some help in identifying the lifters in this picture.  There is still one lifter unidentified – so if anyone knows him please let me know!

FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:  John Monk (USA), Bill Wright (SCT)

BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Keith Murdie (ENG), Sam Hills (ENG), Dennis Mitchell (USA), Art Montini (USA), ????, Des Fenton (SCT), Andy Tomlin (SCT), Steve Angell (ENG), Neil Abery (ENG), Mike Archer (ENG), Kevin Fulton (USA)

by Al Myers

Denny Habecker "in action" at the 2012 IAWA Gold Cup in Glasgow, Scotland.

The month of  November for All-Round Weightlifting contained one of the biggest IAWA events of the year – the Gold Cup.  This year the Gold Cup was held in Glasgow, Scotland.  The USAWA had three representatives at that meet, one of which showed “true grit” in even making it to the platform.  For this, the USAWA Lifter of the Month for November goes to our USAWA President Denny Habecker!

This is the photo proof that Denny was "feeling under the weather" at the Gold Cup!

First of all due to Hurricane Sandy, Denny had travel difficulties even making it to the Gold Cup.  His flight got rerouted through Germany, and it took him 24 hours to even make it to England before the drive to Scotland.  To make his situation even worse – the night before the meet he came down with severe intestinal flu which would have keep most normal lifters away from the platform.  However, Denny is a true champ and  he wasn’t going to let a minor inconvenience like this keep him away from the meet.   When it was his time to perform his Gold Cup lift – he made his lift in excellent fashion.

Congratulations to Denny Habecker for winning the November Lifter of the Month!!!

by Frank Ciavattone

Following are the results of the New England All-Round Weightlifting Association Record Breakers Day December 1st, 2012.  Jim Fuller from Augusta, Maine came during a snow storm, not only did he perform outstanding lifting records, but watching him after the meet perform some other feats of strength that amazed everybody.  Newcomer, Colleen Lane, performed very well in her first competition and truly had the crowd cheering her on to all successful lifts. Another new name to the record books.  Joseph Ciavattone Jr., again uped his deadlift records for other teenagers to lookup to.  He will soon be closing on in the 600 lb mark in the for a teenager.  A highlight of the meet was watching Jeff Ciavattone as he pulled up an easy  Fulton Ciavattone grip 382 lbs. Then had the crowd on its feet with a two-hand dumb bell dead lift which had the crowd roaring him on.  Frank Ciavattone performed a two-hand Ciavattone Deadlift and a equally as easy left handed Ciavattone Deadlift. As each day passes he is showing what he has been well known for.

The meet was held at Frank’s Gym in Walpole Ma. It started at 10:00 and ended at 1:30, followed by some strength demonstrations. New England club meeting, where new officers were nominated, followed by a luncheon and then the awards ceremony.  Would also like to send out our thanks to the senior official, Joseph Ciavattone Sr., who was very inspirational to all the lifters.  Truly a great meet with great lifters and great friends. Looking forward to 2013 team meets!

RESULTS

New England Record Breakers Day
Frank’s Gym
Walpole, MA
December 1st, 2012

Meet Director:  Frank Ciavattone

Official (1 official system used): Joe Ciavattone Sr.

Lifts:  Record Day

Colleen Lane – BWT 205 lbs,AGE 56

Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip: 179 lbs

Joseph Ciavattone Jr. – BWT 222 lbs, AGE 19

Deadlift – 12″ base: 560 lbs
Jefferson Lift – Fulton Bar: 505 lbs

Jeff Ciavattone – BWT 235 lbs, AGE 33

Deadift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip: 382 lbs
Deadlift – 2 Dumbbells: 525 lbs

James Fuller – BWT 239 lbs, AGE 41

Deadlift – Middle Fingers: 303 lbs
Jefferson Lift – Fulton Bar: 505 lbs

Frank Ciavattone Jr. – BWT 288 lbs, AGE 57

Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip: 445 lbs
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip, Left Arm: 255 lbs

by Al Myers

Dan Wagman - USAWA Lifter of the Month for October

The month of November was a busy one for me and sorta “flew by”.  I just realized that I have someone who deserves recognition for the MONTH OF OCTOBER.  His name is DAN WAGMAN and he is the 2012 IAWA World Championship OVERALL BEST LIFTER.  Dan won this title the first weekend in October in Salina, KS at the 25th IAWA World Championships.  It’s a “no brainer” if you win the OVERALL BEST LIFTER at the IAWA World Championships that you will win the USAWA LIFTER OF THE MONTH.  After all – that’s the highest award any lifter can win during the course of the year in the IAWA.  

Since then, Dan has competed in the Welcome Mat Record Day (results will be coming soon) and has made plans to attend my Dino Gym Challenge in January.   As the new CHAMP of the organization – Dan has “duties” this year of making appearances at USAWA events and competitions.  I know Dan is more than up for this!!!!  Congrats Dan on winning the USAWA  LIFTER OF the MONTH for OCTOBER, 2012.

by Al Myers

This was the day that Steve Schmidt set the ALL TIME RECORD in TOTAL POUNDAGE.

Steve Gardner wrote a really nice piece last week about the origins of the unique lift – the Total Poundage.  This lift is unlike all other all-round lifts.  It is NOT a lift done for maximum weight.  It is about TOTAL POUNDAGE established over a time frame.  It is more than just a “repetition lift”, as the lifter can stop & go on repetitions (which is not allowed on lifts for repetition).  Let me get to the rules here:

USAWA Rule for Total Poundage

The accepted time limit is three hours, nine minutes.  The lifter may choose any lift and perform the lift for repetitions in any number of sets and poundages. The reps in the sets, and the poundage used in the sets may be changed or varied throughout the time period.  Each repetition must be properly completed, with the exception of the down commands in which the repetition does not need to be held motionless at completion.  The lifter is permitted to take rest periods.  The repetitions are multiplied with the pounds lifted to determine the total poundage lifted in the allotted time period.

Of course to establish a high total for poundage, the lift selected becomes very important, as some lifts more weight can be lifted in than others.  The usual choices for TOTAL POUNDAGE have been lifts like the Back Lift, Harness Lift, Travis Lift, and Hip Lift.  Another important destinction is that the repetitions done DO NOT need to be held for a down command (which is different than lifts done for reps, as each rep needs to be judged as it was a single, which includes an officials down command).    The IAWA rule for this lift is written with the same intentions, but doesn’t point out this rule stipulation.

IAWA RULE F4 –  TOTAL POUNDAGE

The lifter has a time limit of three hours and nine minutes to lift as much weight as possible to create a time limit total. The lifter can choose any manner of lifts to perform, with any combination of sets or reps, but each repetition must be completed properly for the weight to count towards the time limit total. The total poundage creates the record.

Causes for Failure:
1. Failure to complete any lift or repetition in the correct fashion will exclude that particular lift / repetition from the overall total set in the time limit of three hours and nine minutes.

I was fortunate to be present the day the best record ever was established in TOTAL POUNDAGE.  On December 14th, 2002 Steve Schmidt Back Lifted 8,087,095 TOTAL POUNDS at Clarks Gym.  This broke the overall TOTAL POUNDAGE record held by Howard Prechtel  at 6,066,060 pounds set in 1982.   Back in 2009 I wrote a blog outlining the details of Steve’s performance – http://www.usawa.com/quiz-of-the-week-4/   To date, I believe these are the only two lifters that have exceeded Warren Lincoln Travis mark (5.5 million pounds), which should be considered the mark to beat.  WLT set the bar on this lift, so to speak.

by Roger LaPointe

Magazine cover shot of Norbert Schemansky in a deep split.

Ask any 5 year old kid what a strongman does and you will probably see a fair demonstration of a clean & jerk. It is the best way to get the heaviest weight over your head.

Now look for the most efficient lifters of all time. The very best will drop low on their splits.

Splits?  What are you talking about?

I don’t mean splits like a martial artist or a cheer leader. I’m talking about split jerks. However, if you want to see some real skill based strength, watch the old time splitters and learn from them. One of the very best was Norbert Schemansky. He did all three lifts with a split: Snatch, Clean and Jerk. He was so good that the entire Russian Olympic Weightlifting team changed their style to match his, in 1956. You will see in the old photos that Norb had his back leg knee no more than an inch or two off the ground. Here is the theory: basically, the lower you drop under the bar, the less you have to explosively move the bar up.

3 Ways to Get Lower Split Jerks
1. Lunges. Do as many variations as you can come up with, but the barbell in the top clean position will be the most useful.
2. Half of the lift is done with the upper body. Make sure you stretch your chest and shoulders. The best way to do it is with a broom stick.
3. Make sure you do lots of split stretches for your legs. You need to focus not just on your hip flexors, but your hamstrings and low back.

Yes. Low back flexibility is essential for the side with the leading leg. Norb used to practice his Snatches and Cleans with a knee touch. Trust me, you aren’t going to get more extreme than that. Here is some great further info on this subject:

Norb’s Book (We have only 3 left.)
http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BK081

All the best,
Roger LaPointe
“Today is a good day to lift.”

by Al Myers

MEET RESULTS
MACOMB FALL RECORD BREAKERS

Meet Results:

Macomb Fall Record Breakers
Salvation Army Gym
November 10th, 2012

Meet Director:  Tim Piper

Officials (1 official system used):  Tim Piper, Thom Van Vleck

Trenton Paul – BWT 74.5 KG, AGE 18 years

Reflex Clean and Push Press:  82 kg
Reflex Clean and Jerk: 90 kg

Tim Piper – BWT 88 kg, AGE 42 years

Clean and Jerk – Left Arm: 40 kg
Reflex Clean and Jerk:  82 kg
Reflex Clean and Push Press: 80 kg
Squat – Front: 100 kg

Dave Beversdorf – BWT 308 Pounds, AGE 47 years

Bench Press – Right Arm: 80 kg
Bench Press – Alternate Grip: 190 kg

Tim Piper and Trenton Paul – 90 kg bodyweight class, Open Age Division

Team Snatch - One Arm: 60 kg
Team Clean and Push Press: 162.5 kg
Team Clean and Jerk: 185 kg

by Steve Gardner

Some were asking recently about the history of the IAWA Record for Total Poundage in 3 hours and 9 minutes. It was started by the late great Warren Lincoln Travis.

Here is the story:
Warren Lincoln Travis was the first famous strongman in the United States and a world champion back and hip lifter, who performed feats of strength on Coney Island in the first quarter of the 20th century.  Travis was born in Brooklyn and turned professional at age 21. He weighed only around 200 pounds at his prime. In 1906, he was awarded the “World’s Greatest Weightlifter” by a popular strength publication and received a jewel-studded belt.
His favorite lifts were the Heavy Lifts, such as the Harness Lift and the Back Lift, and Finger Lifts.  In front of witnesses, he lifted 3,985 pounds in the Harness Lift and 4,140 pounds in the Back Lift. In 1907, he lifted 667 pounds with one finger.

Travis was a successful as a businessman and became very wealthy. For 55 years, he held the record for total poundage lifted, that is, lifts done for repetitions, where the lifter may choose any lift and rep/set scheme, to lift the most weight within a given time frame. The standard for this record was initially set by Travis in 1927, when he Back Lifted 5.5 million pounds in 3 hours, 9 minutes.  He did this by doing 5500 reps with 1000 pounds. His record was broken in 1982 by Howard Prechtel (who later became first President of IAWA) who Back Lifted 6,066,060 pounds in 3 hours, 9 minutes.

 by Dennis Mitchell

John H. Davis

John H. Davis was born January 12, 1921 in Smithtown, Long Island.  As a youngster his favorite sports were gymnastics and track.  He lived near a park where he would play on the rings and the high bar.  He was exceptionally good at chinning, and could chin with either hand while holding a 25 pound weight in the free hand.  Weightlifter Steve Walsky saw John at the playground and invited him to work out at his home gym.  John worked out hard and long, often five days a week.   At this time, 1937, he saw a strong man weightlifting strength show where he met Bob Hoffman.  Not long after he entered his first weightlifting contest where he took a second place.  This was a start in a long and successful career.

John said that his original interest was in body building, but felt that a negro would never win the Mr. America title.  At a body weight of 180 pounds and standing 5′8.5″, he had a 17″ neck, 16″ arms,13.75″ fore arms, and  16″ calfs.  He trained very hard, and was ahead of his time as he included both squats and bench presses in his workouts.  It was believed at that time that squats would make you slow, and that bench presses would hinder overhead lifting.  John won his first world championship as a light heavy weight at the age of 17, in Vienna, Austria. He went on to win eight world, twelve national championships and two Olympics. During his long career he set sixteen world records.   He did this even though his career was interrupted for three years serving in the army during the world war.  He was also the first lifter to clean and jerk over 400 pounds (402) using a standard barbell and was the second person to total 1,000 pounds on the three lifts.

John Davis passed away July 13, 1984.

by Al Myers

James Gardner wins the Prechtel Trophy as the BEST LIFTER of the 2012 IAWA Gold Cup.

For the first time ever, an award was given at the IAWA Gold Cup to represent the event’s BEST LIFTER.  This award is given in remembrance of the late Howard Prechtel, who served three terms as the IAWA President.   The concept of the Gold Cup was Howard’s idea – and the Gold Cup has indeed blossomed into one of the major IAWA events. This award will from now on become an annual award, and appropriately called the Howard Prechtel Memorial Trophy. 

This year’s winner goes to JAMES GARDNER of England, having performed an outstanding World Record Turkish Get Up of 75 kilograms.  James is more than deserving of this award, and showed unbelievable tenacity to even be there competing.  James showed up late, as he was suffering from the intestinal flu the night before, and looked like he was not going to be able to do anything, let alone a big lift like he did!  Congrats James – you earned it!

The rankings were done by using the Blindt Formula.  This formula multiplies a Blindt Factor against total adjusted points to put all lifts on a “level playing field”.  Each lift is assigned a different factor, depending on the lift.  The top placements using this formula were:

1.  James Gardner – 75 KG Turkish Get Up
2.  Steve Sherwood – 125 KG Lunge Squat
3.  Luke Davis – 50 KG Turkish Get Up
4.  Timo Lauttemaus – 127.5 KG Index Fingers Deadlift
5.  Gary Ell – 185 KG 2″ Bar Hacklift

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT – 2013 DINO GYM CHALLENGE

Chad Ullom performed a 800 pound Anderson Squat enroute to winning BEST LIFTER at the 2012 OTSM Championships.

Every year for the Dino Challenge I like to change the theme.  There are just so many different lifts that can be “tested” in the USAWA that I just like to do something different every year.  I know that there are those meets that keep the same lifts in the same meet “year after year”, and I respect that as well.  I even go to those meets and like to be able to compare my performance in the same lifts from prior years, but for the Dino Gym Challenge I like to SHAKE THINGS UP!  The day of the meet will be third Saturday of January – January 19th at the Dino Gym.

The Dino Gym Challenge was host to the VERY FIRST USAWA  Old Time Strongman competition in 2011.  Since then there have been several hosted in the USAWA, including 2 Championships (2011 & 2012) at Kirksville, Missouri directed  by Thom Van Vleck.   Thom has been given the role of OTSM Chairman within the USAWA (ok…it’s an unofficial title, but it makes him feel important which is the most important thing here).   Thom has “given me his word” that he will be present at the Dino Gym’s OTSM in January, and Thom’s a guy who when he says he’s going to do something – he does it. 

The theme for this years competition will be an “Old Time Strongman Powerlifting Meet” .  These three lifts have been chosen: Anderson Squat, Hackenschmidt Floor Press, and the Peoples Deadlift.   All three of these lifts are similiar to the three powerlifts (squat, bench press, and deadlift), only in slightly different formats.  The Anderson Squat and the Peoples Deadlift are limited range movements comparable to the squat and deadlift, while the Floor Press is essentially a bench press minus the bench.  Anyone should be able to perform these lifts – so I’m expecting a BIG TURNOUT!!

ENTRY FORM AND MEET DETAILS -  2013DinoChallenge

by Steve Gardner

IAWA 2012 GOLD CUP – Castlemilk Gym, Glasgow, Scotland – Saturday 3rd November

Group picture from the 2012 Gold Cup

A great event with 29 lifters, 28 breaking and setting new IAWA World Records with some terrific performances across the board- Countries represented: USA Scotland England and Finland. Well done to Andy Tomlin and Matt Finkle the event promotors and to everyone who helped make the event possible.

Winners of the 2 Man 1 Hand Deadlift Challenge: Al Myers and Chad Ullom – USA

Winners of the Howard Prechtel Memorial Trophy: First James Gardner, Second Steve Sherwood and Third Luke Davis.

GOLD CUP RESULTS – Gold Cup 2012 Results

by Al Myers

The three that lifted the Dinnie Stones unassisted (without straps) - (left to right): Mark Haydock, Al Myers, and Chad Ullom

One of the most exciting experiences of my life occurred the day following the IAWA Gold Cup.  Gold Cup promoters Andy Tomlin and Matthew Finkle arranged an organized trip to visit the famous Dinnie Stones.  This trip was planned and announced many months in advance and several IAWA lifters took part.  Participants included men from Scotland, England, United States, and Finland. As we were making the road trip to the Potarch Hotel and crossing through the beautiful  Scottish Highlands and the snow covered Cairngorm Mountains, anxiety and anticipation filled the atmosphere of the car. Once we arrived it was exciting to see several locals had showed up to witness our efforts. Apparently the word had gotten out!  I would say there were 10-15 people in attendance to watch our efforts in undertaking the challenge of lifting the Dinnie Stones. 

Donald Dinnie left these stones for future generations to test their strength.  I have previously read the book, “Donald Dinnie – The First Sporting Superstar” by David Webster and Gordon Dinnie several times, and it is a tremendous account of Donald Dinnie and his achievements.  Anyone should read this book before making the trip to the Potarch Hotel to fully realize and recognize the historical significance of these stones. The latest issue of MILO (September, 2012 Volume 20, Issue 2) included an excellent Dinnie Stone article written by the legendary Scottish Highland Game athlete Francis Brebner. I have read several articles concerning the Dinnie Stones, and this article by Francis is the best one I have ever read. I have had the opportunity to “share the throwing field” with Francis in several past professional Highland Games, and I can attest firsthand what an upstanding individual Francis is in the strength community.   Another important reference should be the Dinnie Stone website http://gordondinnie.com/Stones.html , which includes many of the successful lifts by strong men in past history.  The top of the website lays out the challenges made by Donald Dinnie and his stones in his own words, which I would like to repeat here:

The stones weighing a total of 785lbs. were carried by Donald Dinnie in 1860.

Here is Donald’s own account of the event written by him in 1912.

“On the granite stone bridge that crosses the River Dee at Potarch there  were, and still are, two large stones weighing about 8cwt the pair, placed in a recess. In the early 1830’s massive iron rings were placed in them, to which ropes were fixed so that scaffolds could be attached for pointing the bridge. Now, one of these stones was somewhat heavier than the other. Very few strong men of that day could lift the heavy one withbothhands, but my father could raise one in each hand with apparent ease, and could throw the heavier stone of the two on to the top of a parapet wall of the bridge. Those stones are still on the bridge and I myself lifted one in each hand on many occasions and one market day, I carried them across the bridge and back, some four to five yards.”

It is easy to see from those words that three challenges were issued by Donald Dinnie regarding the Dinnie Stones, 1. Lift the stones for height (to the top of a parapet wall) 2. Lift the stones for repetitions (lifted one in each hand on many occasions) and 3. Carry them for distance (carried them across the bridge and back, some four or five yards).

The Dinnie Stones represent a different individual challenge for every person.  Lifting stones is NOT a weightlifting meet - there is no trophy for winning or being the best.  I feel anyone who meets the challenge that they set out for themselves with the Dinnie Stones is worthy of praise, as this is what stone lifting should be all about.  It’s a inner battle against the stone that lays before you which drives you to ”rise to the occasion” and give everything that you have, both mentally and physically, to accomplish the goal set forth.  If you do that, you have been successful in your quest and should  know in your heart that by doing so you have met the challenge of the Dinnie Stones.  The degree of this challenge is different for every man.

Now let me get to the details of this glorious day of those that had taken part!!  I kept very accurate records of the accounts of the day as I want this to be reported with accuracy.  Ten men took part in this memorable event. Below is a summary chart of what transpired:

(NOTES: I want to mention that these ages and bodyweights are official, as they were used in entry in the previous days’ IAWA Gold Cup Championships.  Also, I want to thank James McKenna for attending this activity, as he was the one responsible for several of the pictures that were taken.  The Dinnie Stone lifting took place over an hour and a half, from 10:30 AM to noon on November 4th., 2012)

I was so impressed with Alex Rigbye and Josh Haydock.  These two young men brimmed with enthusiasm, and gained much respect from myself and others by their tenacity.  Josh was set on trying to lift both stones unassisted, and tried numerous times to no avail.  He easily lifted the small stone unassisted, but the large stone was just slightly out of his capabilities.  It surely wasn’t because of lack of effort!  He tried and tried, and then totally exhausted resorted to using lifting straps to complete one good repetition of both stones.  It was a gallant lift, considering that he had previously “given it all”.  Alex was intent on getting as many reps as he could using straps, and “gutted out” 7 repetitions.  I told both of these young men what an outstanding effort they had given, and that they should use this day to give them the motivation to come back in future years and succeed lifting the stones unassisted.  I KNOW that they will do that  - as the challenge of the Dinnie Stones is now embedded in their soul.  

I had just met Barry Gordge for the first time this weekend.  Barry, at age 51, is one strong man.  The day before I watched Barry do a one arm Zercher of 142.5 kgs.  Barry lifted the small stone quite easily one handed unassisted.  This was his first experience taking on the Dinnies.  He did not try to use straps to lift both of  them together  - but if he would have I know that he would have had no problem lifting both of them at the same time.

George Dick and Matt Finkle came focused on lifting both stones two handed.  George handled the small Dinnie Stone several times as well as Matt.  After a few failed attempts at the big stone two handed, Matt finally succeeded!  It was one of the most impressive lifts of the day.  Matt only weighs 65 kilograms and I am sure the large stone is exceeding his max deadlift.  Holding onto the Dinnie Stone ring is WAY HARDER than gripping a bar, but due to his persistence he was successful!

This is one of the 25 reps done by Mark Haydock during the course of the day.

Mark Haydock and Chad Ullom came into the day only hoping to be successful lifting both stones unassisted (without straps).  Both had never attempted the Dinnie Stones before, and even though they knew their capabilities lifting on ring handled pin loaders, these stones offer different challenges with unknown uncertainties.  Mark has just recently (5 months ago) had bicep reattachment on his right bicep. Anyone would have to question his sanity in attempting such a thing.  Both of these guys were very “fired up” on their first attempt, and proceeded to lift the Dinnie Stones unassisted for one repetition with ease!  After doing this, they decided to go after more repetitions to fully test their capabilities.  I sat back and watched in amazement!  Once they got close to 20 repetitions, I suggested that they go for 25 total reps as that would mark the 25 year celebration of the International All Round Weightlifting Association. This challenge I issued pushed them a few reps further.  I want to emphasize that all these reps were done WITHOUT STRAPS.  I will never take away from anyone lifting the Dinnie Stones with straps, as if that was the challenge they were presented with and succeeded then success was obtained.  But lifting the Dinnie Stones  unassisted (without straps) is a challenge of a much higher level, and no one should be fooled in thinking lifting with straps is the same as lifting without.  The limit is the ability to hold the grip, and both Mark and Chad have WORLD CLASS hook grips to go along with their strong backs.  I believe that this is the most repetitions anyone has ever lifted the Dinnie Stones in one day, which is a great accomplishment.  As I’ve said earlier in this story, total repetitions have always been a part of Dinnie Stone lifting history, as recorded on the Dinnie Stone website.   Well over 50% of all  Dinnie Stone lifters on that website have pushed their body limits with repetitions. 

Chad Ullom with a successful unassisted lift with the Dinnie Stones.

Mark also took “a shot” at walking with both Dinnie Stones without straps. In Francis’s article, he talked about two other athletes walking with the stones in the past.  Calum  Morrison was one of the first to do so, walking 2 feet in 1997.  Glenn Ross was another who attempted to match Donald Dinnie’s feat of crossing the bridge carrying both stones (a distance slightly over 5 yards).  Ross gave a ferocious attempt, making it 5 feet 5 inches.  I was slightly surprised Mark was even going to give this a try, after already lifting the stones for many repetitions.  I thought his grip obviously had to be impaired from this previous lifting.  But not only did he walk a total of 3 feet - he didn’t use straps!!!  He lifted the stones “side by side” and with the stones beating on his legs with every small step, he moved slowly over the distance.  I should mention that Mark did this in the soft gravel out in front of the hotel, and chose his course slightly uphill toward the street.  This HAS to be one of the most impressive feats ever done with the Dinnie Stones.  If there is a man to match Donald Dinnies feat of carrying the stones across the bridge without sitting either one down – my money is on Mark.  I want to make another comment about Mark and Chad’s Dinnie Stone lifting efforts.  All of the lifts were done on the soft gravel out of respect of not damaging the stones.  Several times I saw Chad’s feet slip on the loose gravel as he started his pull, which caused him to abandon the attempt and reset.  This added much more challenge to their efforts.  I have watched lifters on YouTube lift the Dinnie Stones on the concrete, and you can hear the “thub” every time when the stones are set down after their attempts.  This makes me shudder and cringe.  We, as stone lifters, need to take care of these stones for future generations.  Mark and Chad are very humble guys as well, you will never hear of them “bragging” about their successes with the Dinnie Stones in the future. 

Timo Lauttemaus has to be one of the first lifters from Finland to lay hands on the Dinnie Stones.  Timo has huge hands, and the day before did a 127.5 kg Index Finger Deadlift. However, the technique of hook gripping is new to him.  Chad and I explained the process of  hook gripping in the car on the way to the Potarch Hotel.  So what does he do?  He hooks grip for the FIRST TIME ever and lifts the big Dinnie Stone with his left hand and holds it for 14.3 seconds!!  Unbelievable if you ask me. 

Andy Tomlin successful with the large stone one handed unassisted. Andy and Matt Finkle were responsible for organizing this trip to the Dinnie Stones.

This was the third trip to the Dinnies for Andy Tomlin.  He had previously lifted the small stone with one hand, but never the big one.  He had the goal to lift the big one unassisted, and that is JUST WHAT HE DID.  It took a few attempts, but Andy “reached down deep” and gave one of the greatest efforts of the day.  After overcoming the many years disappointment with this big Dinnie Stone – he was finally successful! 

I can’t end this story without giving my account with my Dinnie Stone battle.  The first time I gave a shot at lifting the Dinnie Stones was in 2005.  At that time I was much stronger having around a 750 pound deadlift, but lacked the hook grip strength to lift the big stone.  I tried and tried on that occasion.  I told myself that I would come back at a latter date and succeed with this quest.  At that time I elected not to use straps as I knew I could lift them easily that way and I felt that that wasn’t my Dinnie Stone Challenge.  I wanted my first time to lift them to be unassisted.   However, I didn’t think that this trip would be that time yet.  I just recently had shoulder surgery (2 months ago), and haven’t been able to train with my left arm at all, and was concerned that attempting them may injure myself as I’m still recovering.  I didn’t even take my lifting belt with me on the trip to the Dinnies.  However, once there and watching everyone else push themselves with their challenges, I had a change of mind as I felt the draw of the Dinnie Stone mystic overtake me. I borrowed Chad’s belt for my attempt.  My first try I set my hook too deep and tore a huge chunk of flesh from my palm.  As I looked down I could see the blood trickling from my hand onto the large stone.  It took 10 minutes to get the bleeding to stop.  For a split second I thought “its got to be another day for me now”, but then I lost all rational thought and gave them another shot.  With no negative thoughts in my head, I gave it all I had and they came up!!  A goal I set for myself 7 years prior was now realized.  I told Mark and Chad afterwards that my one rep meant just as much to me as their 25 reps did to them!  That’s what the Dinnie Stones should be all about – taking on a challenge and being successful with great effort and determination.

Al Myers making a successful unassisted lift with the Dinnie Stones in front of a crowd on spectators.

This was a day that those of us involved will never forget in our lives.  I am proud of the fact that all of us are DRUG FREE, and have the negative tests to back up that statement.  Lots of blood and sweat were left on the Dinnie Stones (luckily no tears), but we left them in the same state as when we arrived for the next stone lifter to test his fortitude against the mighty challenge of the Dinnie Stones.  I am glad that I was able to be part of this day as it will forever tie all of us to the legacy of the Stones. Talks are already underway for our next organized trip to the Dinnie Stones – where new challenges will be set and higher achievements will be made.

by Al Myers

Art Montini lifting one of the Dinnie Stones in 2001, as part of the group of lifters that made the trip following the World Championships.

One of the exciting things that will happen at the Gold Cup is a day trip the following day to visit the Dinnie Stones.   Andy Tomlin has made arrangements for this to happen as a group activity.  It is something I’m really looking forward to.  I have only seen the Dinnie Stones once, and that was in 2005 when I was in Scotland competing in the Highland Games.  It looks like there will be at least 10 people making the trip.  

I won’t go into details of the Dinnie Stones – there are several blogs on this website that have done that previously.  I’m more interested right now in who will be able to pick them up on this trip.  I have a couple of lifters in mind that I think have an excellent shot at it.  I won’t mention names here as I don’t want to hex them beforehand.

This isn’t the first time that the Scots have combined a Dinnie Trip with a major meet.  The first trip was planned in 1996 after Worlds to go see the Dinnie Stones.  It was on that occassion that Frank Ciavattone lifted them, and became the first American to do so. Franks experience lifting them was told in this blog on the website: http://www.usawa.com/hall-of-fame-biography-frank-ciavattone-class-of-1996/   Then in 2001, again following the World Championships, a group of several lifters made the trek to the Bridge of Potarch, the “holding grounds” of the Dinnie Stones.  This was the day that Kevin Fulton lifted the Dinnie Stones, and became the second American to lift them (without straps and at the same time).    Kevin was quoted by Bill Clark in an old Strength Journal and this is what he had to say about it, ” The day after the competition we took a van full of lifters into the highlands to the Dinnie Stones.  Steve Angell and I both lifted them – all 775 pounds of them.  I was told Frank Ciavattone and I are the only Americans to ever lift them.  Steve also lifted the smaller stone – 330 pounds – to his chest. Not to be outdone, I deadlifted the small stone with only two fingers.  It was alot of fun lifting them, but very difficult for me. They are heavy and very awkward.  I was stiff and sore from the competition.  It has been a goal of mine for several years to lift them and now I’ve had the opportunity.”

It appears All Rounders have had a pretty good history of lifting the Dinnies.  The limiting factor is the grip – and most All Rounders have a much stronger hook grip than other lifters.  Gordon Dinnie has a comprehensive website devoted to those that have lifted these fabled stones – http://gordondinnie.com/Stones.html   To date, there have been only 4 Americans that have lifted them unassisted (without straps,  which is the ONLY WAY they should count as being lifted).   This is that short list:

1.  Frank Ciavattone,  Walpole, Massachusetts - September 24th, 1996
Frank’s lift was officiated by several IAWA officials and a certificate of completion was given to Frank by Frank Allen.

2.  Keven Fulton, Litchfield, Nebraska – October 8th, 2001
Kevin’s lift was also officiated by several IAWA officials.

3.  Bill Crawford, New Hampshire – October 3rd, 2005

4.  Travis Willingham, Blue Springs, Missouri – September 7th, 2009

As you notice, two of these four have been very active USAWA members.  Will this list be expanded by another all-rounder after the 2012 Gold Cup?  I predict it will.

by Al Myers

Jera Kressly performed a 90 KG Steinborn Lift at Worlds. Her lift exceeded that of several of the men - WITHOUT being percentage amended!

IAWA is the World organization that combines the organizations of the USAWA (United States All Round Weightlifting Association), IAWA-UK (International All Round Weightlifting Association of the United Kingdom), and the ARWLWA (All Round Weightlifting Western Australia).  IAWA is the “umbrella organization” that allows these organizations to “come together” for international competitions, ie the World Championships, the Gold Cup, and the World Postal Meet.  It is a great concept that has allowed for many great competitions and lots of fun times.  However, there are differences in how each country interprets the rules.  This is on top of there being rules differences between each organization .  At each World Meet that I have been at I have found several of these differences.

One of the interesting things that came to my notice at this past World Championships is the combination of men and women, through adjusted points, which allowed men and women to be competing with each other for the “overall title”.  I knew beforehand that IAWA scoring allowed for an additional 33% to be added to women’s scores. But I didn’t think this was to allow men and women to be directly competing against each other!!  In recent years this has not been an issue, but this year with the outstanding efforts of Ruth Jackson it became noticeable.  Ruth (when all adjustments were figured) placed THIRD OVERALL (with 736.0 points), behind Dan Wagman (845.7 points), and Chad Ullom (768.4 points).  

The USAWA does this quite differently.  Men and women are in different divisions and do not compete directly against each other for titles.  At least that is the way it has been done over the past 10 years.  I can not attest if that is how it was in the very beginning of the USAWA.  This puzzled me why there is this difference in the way this has been done.  I know the IAWA(UK) allows for this to happen, and men and women compete with each other for the “overall” in their competitions.

I feel the reason for this difference is the rule interpretation from the Rule Book.  Both the USAWA and the IAWA(UK) rulebooks has only this line, which is the same, in them:

1.  Competitions are to be organized for both men and women.

There is no other rule stipulation in either rulebook pertaining to this issue. So it obviously becomes a matter of interpretation??  When it says “for both” – I take that as implying a separation of men and women into two different divisions.  Otherwise it should say, “which includes”, or something like “together as one group”.  Am I wrong in thinking this way?   By the way, this is an original rule in both rulebooks that has not been changed or amended through the years.  Apparently the USAWA “took it one way”, while the IAWA(UK) “took it the other way”. 

Please express your viewpoints on this issue on the USAWA Discussion Forum.  I think this is a topic worthy of discussion.  Also – you may have noticed that I was careful not to give my opinion on whether I think it is right or wrong  for men to be competing against women through a formula. That’s another issue altogether!!  I’ll save that for the discussion forum!!!

by Al Myers

Chad Ullom (left) and Eric Todd (right) both lifted over 1000 pounds in the Neck Lift Challenge!

OK – I promise that this will be the blog that “wraps up” the news from the 2012 World Championships.  I know I have said that already a few times. However, I want to HIGHLIGHT a special event that will “go down in history” in several peoples minds that were there to witness it first hand.  It was quite a spectacle and one of the most memorable events that I ever remember happening at any lifting event I have ever been at.   Chad Ullom and Eric Todd had agreed to a NECK LIFT CHALLENGE to determine “once and for all” who the Worlds best Neck Lifter is.  They have been trading the Overall World Record “back and forth” between them over the past couple of years. 

Frank Ciavattone (center) served as the Head Official of the Challenge.

Neck Lifter EXTRAORDINAIRE  Frank Ciavattone assumed the role of Head Official.  It is only appropriate that Frank perform this duty – as his Neck Lifting resume is a mile deep!  I took on the roll of the announcer, and I have to admit that I got “caught up in the moment”.   The parameters of this Challenge was laid out beforehand to stimulate competitiveness – unlimited attempts with each lifter getting to choose what they wanted to go to next.  I made a call of a weight, and then they could decide if they wanted to try it or not.  The weight on the bar for THE FIRST warmup was 500 pounds!! It wasn’t that long ago when 500 pounds was considered a world class lift in the Neck Lift.  However on this day it was just the first warmup!!  It wasn’t long and both lifters were over 700 pounds.  At this point – each lifter started using a little strategy to gain an advantage over  the other.  The Champ went to 800, and got it easily.  ET countered with 850, and then Chad went after a NEW WORLD RECORD of 920#, which appeared as a very easy attempt.   ET then made the call to go after the BIG 1-0-0-0.   At this point things were really heating up.  Eric got the 1000 pounds, and became the first lifter to break the 1000 pound barrier in the Neck Lift.  However, Chad then moved the bar to 1010 and with a great effort, made a successful lift.  TWO LIFTERS over 1000 pounds for the first time, and all happened in under 5 minutes!  ET then raised the weight to 1030, which maxed out the Neck Lift bar.  He made the lift in a dramatic fashion.   Chad countered with 1040, but it was just a little too much for him on this day.  After all, he had just completed a 2-day World Meet with many max lifts over the weekend before this monstrous challenge event!

An event like this we could have sold tickets for.  It was a climatic ending to a great weekend of lifting by all.

MEET RESULTS

Neck Lift Challenge
Dino Strength Training Center
Salina, Kansas
October 7th, 2012

Officials (3 official system used):  Frank Ciavattone, Frank Allen, Denny Habecker

Lift: Neck Lift

1. First Place – Eric Todd:  1030 pounds
Age 37 years, BWT 118 KG

2.  Second Place – Chad Ullom: 1010 pounds
Age 40 years, BWT 112.0 KG

by Roger LaPointe

The Larry Scott Collection

I am a strength guy. I have never been a bodybuilder. You will never see me standing on a stage in one of those little swim suits.

Yet… I can honestly say that it is pretty cool when I get noticed as a lifter and, as much as I like to squat, it is always the arms that seem to get girls attention.

Building ARMS That Get You Noticed

I have a 3 step system to building arms that get you noticed. Guys, it’s more than just biceps.

1. Dumbbell Curls: Nothing beats dumbbell curls for building biceps.

2. Clean & Press: The clean & front squat will jump start testosterone production and presses build the triceps.

3. Curl Bar Curls: Straight barbell curls seem to give me tendonitis in the elbows, but I don’t seem to get that when I go back and forth between the regular curl bar and the super curl bar. I also love the super curl bar for reverse curls. Personally, I think forearms actually draw more attention than biceps. At least that concept worked for Popeye.

If you want arm advice from the best, we still have a couple sets of the Larry Scott Collection.

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BKLS07

Live strong, Roger LaPointe

by Al Myers

Mike Murdock joins the USAWA Century Club, a club which recognizes lifters who currently hold over 100 USAWA records.

I predicted it in my last blog covering the CENTURY CLUB.  Mike Murdock has become the 23rd member to join this exclusive group of USAWA record setters.  Mike is very deserving of this, and all I have to say, is that it is ABOUT TIME!  I have often criticized Mike for only breaking his own records at record days and not growing his absolute count.  If he hadn’t been doing that he would have been over the “100 count” needed to be in the Century Club a long time ago.  It is also very appropriate that he did it at the Ledaig Record Breaker, the club that he lifts with.  I should have announced this before now, but since I did the last count right before Dave’s record day I sorta forgot how close Mike was to being a full-fledged CENTURY CLUB MEMBER!  

Our prez Denny Habecker still holds the lead.  Denny has now turned 70, and it has opened up a new age group for him to attack.  That’s exactly what he has been doing.  He is FIRMLY in first place now with 447 USAWA records.  His lead over Art has widened since last count.  Denny has been on the war path of competing in USAWA events.  There’s not very many he has missed since Nationals.

Since I’ve become the EXPERT PREDICTER, let me announce my prediction of who will be the next USAWA member to join the Century Club. It goes to the recent Hall of Famer Bob Geib.  Bob now has 95 USAWA records, and his presence has been plentiful at recent USAWA competitions.  In visiting with Bob at Worlds, he seems to me to have the enthusiasm of a teenager when it comes to lifting in competitions.  My money is on him (so don’t let me down Bob!!!)

CENTURY CLUB (as of October 23rd, 2012)

by Al Myers

This is a picture of Barry Bryan from his earlier lifting days. That's alot of weight he has overhead!

There’s a reason I’ve been waiting to announce the LIFTER OF THE MONTH for the month of September.  Due to the low number of meets during September, I decided the lifter of the month should be the lifter that won BEST LIFTER of the Delaware Valley Postal Meet, and I’ve been waiting on the final meet results.  So the congrats for winning the lifter of the month goes to Barry THE BOMB Bryan!!!! 

I am so glad to see Barry get back involved in the USAWA.  I had a great visit with him at the Presidential Cup a couple of months ago.  I know alot of the younger guys in the USAWA don’t remember when Barry was competing in the USAWA during the early 90’s.  He was “a force” to be reckoned with!!!  He was the overall BEST LIFTER at the 1990 USAWA National Championships against a very tough field of lifters.   However, there’s a price to pay for lifting heavy weights, and Barry incurred a few injuries as a result which lead to him not competing for several years.  But it looks like he has put those injuries aside – and IS BACK TO WINNING FORM!!!  Congratulations Barry for winning the LIFTER OF THE MONTH for the month of September!!!

by Al Myers

It’s hard to believe – but this is the 1000th blog of the USAWA Daily News.  That’s alot of All Round Weightlifting news over the past 3-4 years.  The first blog was a meet report of the 2009 Dino Gym Challenge – whereas the big news was Steve Schmidt hitting over a 3000 pound Back Lift and Chad Ullom performing a 200# Zeigler Clean.   The first few months were pretty slow on news, but since then the pace has been picked up.  We have had months over 30 stories, and most months have been over 20 stories. 

I have greatly appreciated the support that others have given me in this website endeavor.  The format of this website allows for member participation, which includes articles for publishing as the front page news of the USAWA Daily News.  Guys like Thom Van Vleck, Roger LaPointe, Dave Glasgow, Dennis Mitchell, John McKean,  and Steve Gardner have submitted several stories apiece over the years which I appreciate.  I don’t mind writing the majority, but the “voice of the organization” should be more than just me, especially since there’s WAY BETTER journalists than myself!!!  When I set this website up, I envisioned there being several writers, preferably at least one from each club, that would submit club news so everyone could keep up with what was going on throughout the entire organization. 

Let’s start the countdown to 2000!!!

by Al Myers

Four generations of Montini's performed a TEAM FAMILY DEADLIFT at Art's Birthday Bash - (left to right): Christopher Montini (grandson), Benson Montini (great-grandson), Art, and Rob Montini (son). Photo courtesy of Karen Ward.

Last weekend at Art’s 85th Birthday Bash, it was indeed a special occassion.  And NOT because Art’s still lifting record poundages – but because it was the first time to my knowledge that FOUR GENERATIONS of lifters competed in the same meet.  That’s simply amazing!  John McKean tells me that this lift (that the picture is taken of) was actually judged and a down command was given, and it recieved 3 WHITE LIGHTS!!!

by Roger LaPointe

Strongman Double Biceps Curl

I get more questions about the bench press, as a lift, than any other exercise. It makes sense. Bench pressing is easily the most popular exercise with a barbell. If you lift, someone is going to ask you how much you bench.

As a Masters age lifter, I am now fully in the old guy category, the big question is, “How can I increase my bench and bring it back to what it once was?” The emphasis in tone is on the word “I”, as if the individual is in some way unique. When it comes to the Masters age lifter, there can be a few somewhat unique issues, mostly related to injuries.

Because of my training for the crucifix hold, which is closely related to the dumbbell bench press, and thus the barbell bench press, I have come up with some great exercises that can help out anyone, but especially the Masters age athlete. Here is one of them.

Strongman Double Biceps Curl

Believe it or not, this is an outstanding exercise for the front delts and gives a great chest stretch, like using an incline bench. Think of the classic double biceps shot that all the old time strongmen did in their promo photos.
1. Lift your dumbbells as if you are doing a crucifix hold, with a high chest and good back arch.
2. With your arms up in that position, keep your upper arms parallel with the ground, using dumbbells.
3. Now do your full range of motion curls. Refer to the attached illustration.

Tip: This exercise will require less weight that you are typically used to using. Additionally, if you are doing the exercise correctly, you will get a much great stretch in the biceps than you would get from doing almost any other biceps training, even with a preacher curl unit.

I highly recommend York Solid Dumbbells:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/category.aspx?categoryID=740

Or the plate loaded Olympic type dumbbells:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=HIB20ZR

If you want a number of other great old school exercises that will really help out with your benching, check out Vic Boff’s Bodybuilding Bible:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BK22C

Live strong, Roger LaPointe

by Steve Gardner

GOLD CUP – Saturday 3rd November – Castlemilk, Glasgow, Scotland

Andy Tomlin performing a Trap Bar Deadlift. Andy is the co-promoter of the 2012 Gold Cup with Matt Finkle.

All arrangements are looking good, 28 lifters signed up to go for a gold Cup lift, should be a great day! Remember Lifters: The Gold Cup is for one lift for an IAWA World Record. Lifters are allowed to nominate a second choice lift, and they will be allowed to go for this ONLY if they miss with their first nominated lift!

However: If the Promoter decides there is enough available time following completion of the Gold Cup Lifts, then lifters will be allowed to lift off on their second choice lifts as well (But only if there is enough time..as the Evening Meal is at a set time etc)

Following the lifting we may be treated to a ‘one off’ competition between 2 or 3, two man teams, as they will attempt to see who can lift the most weight from the floor using only one hand each.

by Steve Gardner

Steve and Karen Gardner present Al Myers and Chad Ullom with their awards for winning the Andy Goddard Postal World Strongest Two Man Team Competition.

by Al Myers

MEET RESULTS

2012 DELAWARE VALLEY OPEN POSTAL MEET

Barry Bryan is making his comeback in the USAWA. This picture was taken at the Presidential Cup in August, before Barry's BEST LIFTER win in the Delaware Valley Open Postal Meet.

The third leg of the USAWA Postal Meet Series has been completed.  Ten lifters competed.  The BEST LIFTERS are:

WOMEN – GABBY JOBE

MEN – BARRY BRYAN

MEET RESULTS

Delaware Valley Open Postal Meet
USAWA Postal Meet
September 1st-30th, 2012

Meet Director: John Wilmot

Lifts: Clean and Press – Heels Together, Snatch – 2 Dumbbells, Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip

Lifters with USAWA Certified Official:
Gabby Jobe – Official Jesse Jobe
Barry Bryan – Official Denny Habecker
Tim Songster – Official Jesse Jobe
Denny Habecker – Official Barry Bryan
Chad Ullom – Official Al Myers

Lifters using a judge who IS NOT a USAWA Certified Official:
Marcus Synder – Judge Les Cramer
Les Cramer – Judge Monica Cook
Samuel Rogers – Judge Orie Barnett
John Wilmot – Judge Kay Wilmot
Orie Barnett – Judge Sam Rogers

WOMENS DIVISION

MENS DIVISION

NOTES:  AGE is age in years.  BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  All lifts recorded in pounds.  TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS are adjusted points for bodyweight and age allowance.

by Al Myers

Frank Ciavattone (middle) being awarded the GRAND BEST LIFTER of the USAWA. Presenters included USAWA Vice President Chad Ullom (left) and USAWA Secretary Al Myers (right).

One of the really important awards presented at the 2012 IAWA World Championships went to Frank Ciavattone. Frank was awarded the GRAND BEST LIFTER of the 25 year history of the USAWA.  This awarded was intended to be presented to Frank at the USAWA Nationals, but since he was unable to attend that meet I waited till Worlds to bestow him the recognition that he has rightly earned.  This award was based on Franks competition history at past USAWA National Championships. Frank has competed at the USAWA Nationals since the practical beginning, and in that time has acquired more National Records than anyone else!  To date he has 45 National Records!!!  That’s alot!!!  It will take someone of longterm persistence and great ability to overtake this record count of Franks. 

Congratulations Frank!  It was my honor to be part of this presentation.

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW ENGLAND ALL-ROUND RECORD DAY

Frank Ciavattone "setting up" to pull a big Jefferson Lift at the 2012 IAWA World Championships.

Date: December 1st

Meet Promoter: Frank Ciavattone

Location: Frank’s Barbell Club, Walpole, Massachusetts

by Al Myers

Dan Wagman performing a IAWA World Record of 112.5 KG in the Pullover and Press at the 2012 IAWA World Championships.

Dan Wagman, the 2012 IAWA World Championships’  OVERALL BEST LIFTER,  has video recorded the Championships and has made this video available to everyone. But first let me say a few things about Dan.  I met Dan several years ago when he lived in Lawrence, Kansas getting his PhD from the University of Kansas.  At that time he came to my place to train a few times.  He has competed in the USAWA before, but it has been a few years (2006 Nationals), so he is no newcomer to All Round Weightlifting.   Dan has a VERY DEEP RESUME of lifting accomplishments.  It would take several pages to give an overview of everything he has achieved.  For those that don’t know this – Dan is the Publisher/Editor in Chief of the Journal of Pure Power.  It is a MUST READ for all strength athletes.  It is an online magazine that covers the scientific knowledge of weightlifting and sports training.  It gives just the FACTS that have been proven in research – not opinions and general ideas like most all other magazines. Dan’s journalistic efforts have been published in several other magazines throughout the years. 

I recommend that everyone “check out” the trial issue of Pure Power.  I am sure that you will be impressed.   I also recommend that you get a subscription so that you will be “up to date” on all the latest strength research.  It is one of the few magazines worth reading now a days.  Details of this are contained within this link to the videos from the World Championships.  

LINK TO WORLD MEET VIDEOS:

http://www.jopp.us/2012iawa.html

by John McKean  

(WEBMASTERS NOTE: This little email came to me Monday morning from John McKean regarding the festivities at Art’s Birthday Bash over the weekend. It started my day off with a laugh, so I want to share it with everyone.)

Hi Al, Great meet yesterday! I’ll do a write up ,later, but wanted you to have these records right away! Funny thing , before guys arrived  Art had 3 boxes of donuts ready, one of our VFW trainees (not a competitor) teased Art and said ,”those are bad for you,ya know”. To which Art sternly replied ” I NEVER eat donuts!”. Yet less than a minute later, even I was speechless as Art washed a big gooey donut down with thick black coffee! The young trainee blurted out, “Art, ya just told me you never eat donuts!” Art just growled back, “Well, I have to have BREAKFAST!” OK, here’s the lifts! JOHN

MEET REPORT

On a perfect Fall day with hazy morning sun, a slight nip to the air, and truly outstanding tree colors, Art’s Birthday Bash had competitors from Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia , Alaska, Aliquippa, Pittsburgh, and Lebanon (PA). We’d worried early in the morning that few would show with the World meet just the week before, another USAWA contest out West, and other conflicting scheduling that seem to crowd Art’s long standing, well established meet date. But no worries, as Art’s family alone took up the slack with sons Rob and Paul & their wives attending, plus grandson Chris, and great grandson Benson!

First to arrive, tho, was hardy ole Dale Friesz bouncing in on his one good leg and his steel “pogo stick” calf on the other.Yep, drove all the way up on his own from Virginia ,too! He did those one finger deadlifts like a maniac, and unlike other years I MADE him name the lift on his card ,rather than stick me with a bunch on abbreviations to try to figure out what finger was what. Well, he said he was more than happy to give me the finger multiple times, but I did notice on several of my lifts that he judged, the down signal seemed several minutes, rather than seconds!

It was so neat to acquire 3 new USAWA registrations this late in the year, but Art’s family has expanded our population! This may be the first meet ever with 4 generations competing at once! In fact, with a photo to prove it (coming later) we established the first 4 generation deadlift record ever! This was,of course, the closing lift of the meet and really left all departing with the great spirits of this popular annual event!

Cleveland had a huge showing with Dennis & Flossy Mitchell, Scott and Kathy Schmidt, Jim Malloy, and John Kurtz. They were all buoyed up by the terrific weather and smooth drive over, and lifted great! Of course Denny & Judy Habecker traveled an equal distance thru breathtaking mountains and matched the enthusiasm of the Ohio gang!

Old, now 85 years worth, Art was still the “wonder kid” of this whole affair. Obviously everything he touched was a new world record (his motto: if ya can’t outlift them early, outLIVE em!!), but the veteran ironman actually performed an easy hand & thigh of 430 and a 701 pound hip lift! His boundless energy is inspirational to all, and I can foresee having to draw those damn meet shirt logos for the next 40 or 50 years!!

As usual, an ambitious schedule is planned already throughout the USAWA for next year! But plan on coming to Art’s 86th birthday party in October for some genuine iron gaming thrills!

MEET RESULTS

Art’s Birthday Bash
Ambridge VFW Barbell Club 
Ambridge PA  Sunday
Oct. 14, 2012

Meet Director: Art Montini

Officials (3 official System used): Art Montini, John McKean, Dennis Mitchell, Scott Schmidt, Denny Habecker, Dale Friesz, Jim Malloy

Benson Montini – BWT 44 Kg, age 8 years
Crucifix   10 pounds
Finger Lift – Right Middle Finger  27 pounds
Deadlift – Trap Bar 135 pounds
Deadlift – Right Leg 20 KG
Deadlift – No Thumbs, Overhand Grip 74 pounds

Dennis Mitchell -   BWT  153 3/4 pounds, age  80 years
Deadlift – Stiff Legged 85 KG
French  Press 37.5 pounds
Deadlift – Left Arm 60 KG
Deadlift - Right Arm  60 KG
ate 95 donuts (beating Art’s record,barely!)

Kathy Schmidt  - BWT 165 pounds, age 55 years
Deadlift – Trap Bar 77.5 KG
Jefferson Lift 60 KG
Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip  70 KG

Dale Friesz - BWT 75KG,  age 72 years
Deadlift – Fingers, Middle 75.5 KG
Finger Lift – Right Ring Finger 50.5 KG
Finger Lift – Right Index Finger 101.1 pounds
Finger Lift – Left Ring Finger 50.5 KG

John McKean – BWT 75KG, age 66 years
French Press   45 pounds
Curl – Reverse Grip  70 pounds
Hack Lift 274 pounds
Zercher Lift 224 pounds
Anderson Squat 315 pounds
Bench Press – Hands Together  115 pounds
Hack Lift – Right Arm  204 pounds

Art Montini - BWT 79 KG, age 85 years
Zercher Lift 70 KG
Deadlift – Fulton Bar 165 pounds
Deadlift – Trap Bar 200 pounds
Hand and Thigh Lift  430 pounds
Hip Lift 701 pounds

Denny Habecker - BWT 188.25 pounds,  age 70 years
Arthur Lift 143.3 pounds
Bench Press – Alternate Grip  175 pounds
Bench Press - Feet in Air 195 pounds
Bench Press - Reverse Grip 175 pounds
Clean and Jerk – Dumbbell, Right Arm 65 pounds

Rob Montini - BWT 225.25 pounds,  age 64 years
Snatch – From Hang  50 KG
Bench Press (feet on floor) 205 pounds
Jerk – From Rack, Behind Neck 135 pounds

Scott Schmidt - BWT  239 pounds, age 57 years 
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand 92.5 KG
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Left Hand 87.5 KG
Clean and Press – Behind Neck  60 KG
Curl – Reverse Grip   47.5 KG

Jim Malloy – BWT 262 pounds, age 71 years
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 2″, Right Hand 145 pounds
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 bar, 2″, Left Hand 135 pounds
Curl – Reverse Grip 95 pounds
Curl – Cheat, Reverse Grip 135 pounds

Christopher Montini - BWT 137 KG,  age 34 years
Good Morning 75 KG
Lateral Raise – Lying  50 pounds
Lateral Raise – Standing  50 pounds
Jerk – From Rack, Behind Neck  70 KG
Teeth Lift  78 pounds

by Thom Van Vleck

Group picture from the 2012 USAWA Old Time Strongman Championships.

The 2nd Annual Old Time Strong Man Championships were held on October 14, 2012. We were back in the old Willard School Gym where the 2011 USAWA Nationals were held. This “old school” gym seemed to me to the appropriate place for an “Old Time” themed contest. I had 7 lifters show to test themselves. I had 5 loaders and three officials….so the help outnumbered the competition….which led to a fast meet! While this was down from 10 lifters from the year before there was a lot of enthusiasm and some great lifting.

Tim Piper came with his daughter Whitney. This was her first official meet. Vince Decker made it, as did Mike Lucht and Lance Foster. The battle came down between Dino Gym’s Chad Ullom and the JWC’s own John O’Brien. Chad took an early lead, cut after the Anderson Squat, John O’Brien hit a meet best 805lbs and was barely in First. That meant it all came down to the People’s Deadlift. Chad was ahead of John in the order so that meant he had to pull what he thought was his best and leave the rest to John. John came out needing a 600lb pull to win, but it was not to be. Chad Ullom was the winner! A nice comeback after his 2nd overall finish the week before at the IAWA World’s. Several records fell as well!

JWC member John O'Brien put up the top Anderson Squat of the meet with this 805 pound lift!

One of the things I wanted to do with this meet was make it a fundraiser for the Osteoblasters Weightlifting Club. This is a new club that I helped start up at A. T. Still University where I work as the Director of Counseling. The good news about this club is that I had hoped to have maybe a dozen members…..but instead I have over 60!!!! The bad news is we are sorely in need of equipment. So, the money was to buy equipment, or I offered a second option of donating equipment as your entry. Well, I raised $135.00….but we also had an 800lb Tire, a heavy duty pulling sled, and a very nice Incline bench! The Tire was from JWC member and USAWA competitor Joe Costello and the Incline was donated by Eric Todd who was also the head judge at the meet! Tim Piper also mentioned he would give us some dumbbells as well! Thanks, guys, this is appreciated greatly.

I finally want to thank Al Myers. Al traveled 700 miles round trip, was the scorekeeper, and helped me run the meet. This allowed me to go around and talk to the lifters, encourage them, and also to get to watch some of the lifting. I cannot tell you how often I have run a contest and I miss out on most of the competition because I’m too busy running things behind the scenes. I would also like to thank Chad Ullom, John O’Brien, and Lance Foster. Lance and Chad competed both in the OTSM and my Highland Games held the day before. John was a judge at the Highland Games and competed in the OTSM. Double Duty!!!!!!

The plans are already in motion for next year. Al and I have talked about this and we hope to have three or four OTSM meets that will lead up to the Championships here in Kirksville again in 2013. Next year I won’t have the meet on the same weekend as my Highland Games so it will be on a Saturday. It will stand alone and get the individual attention that it should. I hope everyone will consider coming!

MEET RESULTS

Old Time Strongman Championships
Willard Gymnasium
Kirksville, Missouri
October 14th, 2012

Meet Director:  Thom Van Vleck

Official (1-official system used): Eric Todd

Scorekeeper:  Al Myers

Lifts: Cyr Press, Apollons Lift, Anderson Squat, Peoples Deadlift

WOMENS DIVISION

 EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORD

Whitney Piper: People Deadlift 160#

MENS DIVISION

EXTRA ATTEMPTS FOR RECORD

Tim Piper: Anderson Squat 550#

NOTES: BWT is bodyweight recorded in pounds.  All lifts were recorded in pounds.  TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS are adjusted Lynch Points for bodyweight corrected.  ADJ PTS are adjusted Lynch Points for age allowance.

by Al Myers

IAWA President Al Myers (left) presenting IAWA Past President Steve Gardner (right) the IAWA Award of Merit.

One of the BIG AWARDS given over the course of the 2012 IAWA World Championships was the IAWA Award of Merit, awarded to Steve Gardner.  This is the second time this award has been given to someone in the IAWA.  The first Award of Merit went to Art Montini at the 2010 World Champs.  The Award of Merit is a Presidential Award, meaning that it is selected and presented on behalf of the IAWA President.  I made presenting this prestigious IAWA award to Steve my first “order of business” since assuming the IAWA Presidency, after Steve “stepped down” as the IAWA President after 12 years of service (3 terms) 2 days prior at the Annual World Council Meeting.

There is NO ONE more deserving of this award than Steve.  Steve has given SO MUCH of his time and energy to IAWA over the years.  It is also fitting that he be awarded this special award on the 25th World Meet anniversary.  I was honored to give his award speech.  For those interested in hearing it, and missed it the first time around, here it is:   http://www.usawa.com/the-iawa-president-steve-gardner/   .  Steve is the ONLY IAWA member who has attended every IAWA Championship over the 25 year history of the IAWA.  He has always been a participant in some manner – lifter, official, announcer, or scorekeeper!!  I have a story I would like to share about Steve and his attendance at the IAWA World Championships (this one I left out of my presentation speech).  In 1990 when the championships were held in Scotland, the World Championships conflicted on the same weekend with Steve’s Tug of War team who were defending their first National Title.  Steve drove through the night to be at (and help) with the meet on the second day.  He then attended the banquet after the meet with NO SLEEP the night before!! That’s commitment to IAWA and the membership!!

In closing, I would like to share a few words Steve had to say after receiving the IAWA Award of Merit:  ”Al Myers took me by surprise when he presented me with the IAWA Award of Merit recognising my work with IAWA over the past 25 years. I thank Al and all of those involved very much. I have now ‘handed over the baton’ as IAWA International President to Al, after having first taken over from Howard Prechtel 12 years ago. I wish Al all the best and I am sure he will do a wonderful job for IAWA!”

IAWA has a rich history of leadership with past Presidents Howard Prechtel and Steve Gardner.  I promise that I will “do my best” to continue what these two great leaders have accomplished.

by Al Myers

Howard Prechtel competing at the 2000 Gold Cup in Burton on Trent, England. Howard performed a 120 KG 2-Bar Deadlift for his Gold Cup Lift. Steve Gardner promoted this event, and it was held at the Bass Museum.

The Gold Cup is the next major IAWA meet on the Calendar of Events.  This year it will be held in Glasgow, Scotland on November 3rd.  As most know – the Gold Cup was started by the legendary Howard Prechtel while he was the President of the IAWA.  The first Gold Cup was held in Lakewood, Ohio in 1991. 

At the World Council Meeting of the IAWA, a proposal was made by Steve Gardner to establish a Howard Prechtel Memorial Trophy to be presented in Howard’s memory to the lifter who scores the highest amended total for their record lift at the Gold Cup, using the Blindt Formula to compare the different lifts.  This was passed unanimously by the members in attendance.  Steve has agreed to get a trophy made for this year’s Gold Cup.   The Howard Prechtel Memorial Trophy will, “in a sense” recognize the Gold Cup’s BEST LIFTER.   Hopefully, this will become an annual award at the Gold Cup.  I will do what I can to make sure that that happens. 

Steve Gardner summed up this memorial trophy excellently by saying, “I felt it would nice to remember Howard in this way, as the Gold Cup was Howard’s baby, and it was Howard who proposed the idea of the Gold Cup.  It will be great to see who is the first winner of the Howard Prechtel Memorial Trophy!”

by Al Myers

The meet results from the 2012 IAWA World Championships have been amended since the initial release of these results, and now everything should be correct.  If you lifted in the meet please check over your listed results to verify that they are correct. If you notice any problems or issues, please notify me so I can investigate the cause of the differences.  One of the beautiful things about website reporting is that changes can easily be made to meet results if errors are found so that EVENTUALLY everything is “dead on” correct.  With written published results – this is not the case. 

I think this blog has finally “put the wrap on” the 2012 Championships.  I still have a few Tshirts left over if anyone wants one – I’ll sell them to you cheap now!  In closing, I would like to include a few words from Steve Gardner that he had to say after the meet:

A FEW WORDS: Before the Championships started, one minutes silence was observed in memory of John Vernachio. This was followed by an Opening Ceremony of the Nations Anthems.The 2012 World Championship was a resounding success thanks to the hard work and organisation by the Promoters Al Myers and Chad Ullom. Everyone that travelled to Salina in Kansas for the 25^thOpen World Championships thoroughly enjoyed themselves and this showed on the platform with some excellent lifting and performances. Lots of National and International records were broken over the two days, and Drug Testing was carried out. Al and his family showed terrific hospitality to competitors, especially those travelling from overseas. A special well done to Dan Wagman from Colorado for taking the overall best spot, just ahead of Chad Ullom who finished second overall, and an amazing female performance saw Ruth Jackson forge through to finish third best overall from the whole field. Excellent work by all the loaders and officals helped things to run smooth. Big thanks to Scott Tully for use of the venue and to Darren Barnhart for taking the photographs. At the conclusion of the lifting everyone was treated to a Neck Lifting exhibition by Eric Todd and Chad Ullom where both lifters went over 1000 pounds! As everyone said goodbye and left the venue, the hot topic of conversation was the 2013 World Championships which will take place in Preston, England the first weekend in October, so we hope to see everyone there in 12 months time!

by Steve Gardner

The IAWA World Council Annual General Meeting – Friday 5th October 7.30pm Salina, Kansas, USA

Roll Call: Steve Gardner, Al Myers, Paula Delamata, Chris Bass, Frank Allen, Chad Ullom, Thom Van Vleck, Mike Murdock, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, George Dick, Janet Dick, Graham Saxton, Toni Saxton, Karen Gardner, Tim Piper, Dawn Piper, Dennis Mitchell, Flossy Mitchell, Bob Geib, Susan Sees, Frank Ciavattone, John Mahon, Sam Trew

Past Minutes:

The Minutes of the 2011 AGM were read and matters arising were discussed …The Lynch bodyweight formula had been extended to 180 kilos – The Power Row had been accepted as a new lift – International Venues were sanctioned for 2013..etc

Election of IAWA New Committee:

Steve Gardner stood down as International President after 12 years (having followed Howard Prechtel who did 12 years) and handed over to Al Myers of the USA.

General Secretary - Frank Allen

The IAWA Technical Committee: Dennis Mitchell (USA)  Denny Habecker (USA)  Al Myers (USA)  Steve Gardner (Eng)  Steve Sherwood (Eng)  Peter Phillips (Australia)

International Vice Presidents: USA= Chad Ullom and Denny Habecker, England: Steve Gardner, Scotland: George Dick, Australia: To be announced!

International Events Previously Sanctioned for 2013:World Championships – 5th & 6th October - Preston, England Promoter: Mark Haydock.
Lifts Day 1 = Clean and Press / Cont. Snatch / Straight Arm Pullover / O H Vertical Bar Lift
Lifts Day 2 = Squat / OH Dumbell C & Jerk / Trap Bar Deadlift

Gold Cup – 2nd November - Lebanon, PA, USA – Promoter: Denny Habecker

International Events Sanctioned for 2014:World Championships – first weekend October - Boston, Mass. USA – Promoter – Frank Ciavattone.

Gold Cup: Either…Steve Gardner in Burton, England or George Dick in Glasgow, Scotland (yet to be decided)

There had been no items of business put to the Technical Committee, so nothing further to discuss!

It was agreed that one minutes silence would be held before the start of the 2012 World Championships in memory of John Vernacchio!

Al Myers gave a short talk about the arrangements for the World Championships during the coming weekend

There being no further business, meeting closed at 8.30pm

by Jarrod Fobes

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

Gracie Judo Club Record Day

Location:

Gracie Judo Club
8250 Unit 9 Coal Mine Ave.
Littleton, Co 80128

Date:  December 1, 2012

Meet Director: Jarrod Fobes

Email:  jfwaveman@yahoo.com

Phone Number: 720-202-7857

Entry: No entry fee

Start Time: Weigh-ins at 9:30, lifting starts at 10:00.

Gracie Judo Club is a dojo first and a weight club second, so our equipment is very minimalist. We have an Olympic barbell, two Olympic-style adjustable dumbbells, a dumbbell walk handle, a pull-up bar, and about 300lbs of weights (no fractional weights). So you may set any number of records you would like, as long as we have the equipment!

by Al Myers

Group picture from the 2012 IAWA World Championships in Salina, Kansas.

WOW!  That sums up this past weekend’s World Championships!  I was SO IMPRESSED with the lifters that showed up to participate and celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the International All Round Weightlifting Association.  25 lifters entered, with 24 lifters actually competing.  The competition commenced with an opening ceremony which included lifter introductions and the playing of the anthems of each country represented.  A moment of silence was held in memory of  the late great John Vernacchio.  This was a “moving moment” to start the weekend festivities.

Dan Wagman (right) won the MENS OVERALL BEST LIFTER AWARD.

Competition in the Womens and Mens Divisions was fierce – with newcomer Ruth Jackson winning BEST LIFTER in the Womens Division and Dan Wagman winning BEST LIFTER in the Mens Division. Ruth set several World Records in her IAWA debut as well.  Paula Delamata of England was runner-up as the womens Best Lifter, with Jera Kressly taking third overall.  However, Jera put up the BEST TOTAL amongst the women, including an outstanding Steinborn Lift of 90 KGS and 130 KG Jefferson Lift.

Dan Wagman is NO newcomer to the USAWA.  Dan competed in the 2006 USAWA National Champs in which he did excellent.  Dan has a long and strong  resume of weightlifting accomplishments, so it is no surprise to me that he has now added the OVERALL MENS BEST LIFTER AWARD at the 2012 IAWA Worlds to it.  He is a complete lifter with a strong strength base, and lifts like a man half his age.  I did some checking and  he would have won the BEST LIFTER even without his age allowance.  Chad Ullom gave him a good run throughout the first day, but Chad ended up second overall.  Chad had an outstanding meet (one his best meet efforts that I remember)  and many other days would have walked away with best lifter honors.  Chad’s HIGHLIGHT was his 202.5 KG Steinborn Lift that now resides as the ALL TIME BEST Steinborn Lift in the IAWA, breaking that of 200 KG by Steve Gardner. 

Australian’s John Mahon and Sam Trew made their first appearance in the IAWA Worlds outside of their “home turf”. I met both of these guys last year at the 2011 World Championships in Perth.   These two young bucks have loads of potential – and I can see them being around for quite some time.  I am still marvelling at Sam’s technique in the 1-arm Clean and Jerk.  I had to watch him a couple more times  to really believe I was seeing what I thought I was seeing!  John took the Best Lifter honors for the 20-39 age group.  Great lifting guys!  The IAWA(UK) brought along quite a group to compete - Paula Delamata, Frank Allen, Graham Saxton, and George Dick.  Paula won the Best Lifter award for the 20-39 womens age group, and George took the 60-64 age group Best Lifter award.  The seasoned veterans Frank and Graham lifted exceptional as they usually do.  I was very glad to see this type of International support in our promotional effort of the World Championships. 

The women's division at this Championship was one of the strongest ever in the history of IAWA Championships. (left to right); Paula Delamata, Ruth Jackson, Jera Kressly, Dawn Piper, Susan Sees

I want to congratulate the Ledaig AC (the clubs real name is the Ledaig Heavy Athletics, but I think the way they lift they should be called the Ledaig Athletic Club because they are also very good lifters!)  for winning the Team Title.  Dave Glasgow has really been a big player in the USAWA competitions over the past couple of years. Dave took fourth overall this past summer at the USAWA Nationals in Vegas, and now he adds a THIRD OVERALL at the World Championships!  That’s quite an accomplishment!  I know several VERY, VERY, VERY  GOOD lifters who have never placed that high at the Worlds.  Add in a Team Victory over the host club Dino Gym, and I would say Dave has put himself and his club in the limelight!  I would thank him outright in person, but I already know how he would respond, with a  ”whatever”.  LOL  I do have one gripe with him though – he’s stealing members from the Dino Gym!!!  Doug and Jera Kressly recently have “defected” from the Dino Gym, and joined up with the club that has a name no one can pronounce.  I would have to say Dave that their addition is what gave Club Ledaig the win this past weekend!!!  (but well deserved)

After the meet on Sunday, we had a big Neck Lift One-on-One Challenge between the top two Neck Lifters in the World  Chad Ullom and Eric Todd.  These two have been going “back and forth” with the World Record, so I called both of them out for this challenge to decide it “once and for all”!  The show these two put on was beyond description, and worthy of a later blog just covering it.  So I’m not going to go into much detail yet, except to say that the 1000 pound “magical barrier” was broken by BOTH OF THEM, with ET coming out on top.  More on this story will be coming at a later date.

I have SO MUCH more I could write about covering last weekend, but I promised myself that I would keep this story under 1000 words.  I want to finish it by thanking those that were vital in making this event happen.  First of all, I want to thank my co-promoter Chad.  Without his checkbook I would have lost twice as much money.  Second, I want to thank my good friend and training partner Scott Tully for allowing us use of his facility, the Dino Strength Training Center.   Scott went out of his way to make room for us for the weekend.  Next I want to thank Steve Gardner for announcing and making sure the show ran according to schedule.  Chris Bass came all the way from England to do the scoring for us – BIG THANKS!  Chris is one of those “behind the scenes” guys who does alot for IAWA and doesn’t get thanked enough.  I can’t say enough about the loaders that worked all weekend – Eric Todd, Chuck Cookson, Scott Tully, Tyler Cookson, Matt Cookson, and Mark Mitchell.  A meet only runs as smooth as the loaders load – and this was a top notch performance.  I want to thank the officials as well – Frank Ciavattone, Chad Ullom, Dennis Mitchell, Frank Allen, George Dick, Thom Van Vleck, Karen Gardner, and Graham Saxton.  A premier field of judges for sure.  Lastly I want to thank the meet photographer Darren Barnhart for taking over 700 pictures over the course of the weekend.  I will make these pictures available to anyone who wants them – and once you see them you will see why Darren needs a “pat on the back”.  And last of all I want to THANK THE LIFTERS who showed up to compete!!!

by Al Myers

(A full meet report will be coming in a day or so, but for now, here are the meet results.)

MEET RESULTS – 2012 IAWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

IAWA World Championships
Dino Strength Training Center
Salina, Kansas
October 6th & 7th, 2012

Meet Directors: Al Myers & Chad Ullom

Meet Announcer: Steve Gardner

Meet Scorekeeper:  Chris Bass

Meet Photographer: Darren Barnhart

Meet Loaders:  Eric Todd, Scott Tully, Chuck Cookson, Tyler Cookson, Matt Cookson, Mark Mitchell

Meet Officials (3-official system used):  Frank Ciavattone, Chad Ullom, Dennis Mitchell, Frank Allen, George Dick, Thom Van Vleck, Karen Gardner, Denny Habecker, Graham Saxton

Meet Lifts: Curl – Reverse Grip, Clean and Jerk – One Arm, Pullover and Press, Steinborn Lift, Snatch – Fulton Bar, Hack Lift – One Arm, Jefferson Lift

WOMENS DIVISION

Day 1

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORD

Susan Sees: Curl – Reverse Grip 30KG
Susan Sees: Pullover and Press 40KG
Susan Sees: Steinborn Lift 40KG

Day 2

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORD

Paula Delamata: Hack Lift – Right Arm 60.5 KG
Ruth Jackson: Jefferson Lift 110KG
Jera Kressly: Jefferson Lift 140KG

MENS DIVISION

Day 1

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORD

Dennis Mitchell: Pullover & Press 38KG
Denny Habecker: Clean & Jerk – Right Arm 35.5KG
LaVerne Myers: Curl – Reverse Grip 45KG
Bob Geib: Pullover & Press 40KG
Sam Trew: Clean & Jerk – Left Arm 60KG
Bob Geib: Clean & Jerk – Right Arm 30.5KG
Bob Geib: Steinborn Lift 72.5KG

Day 2

EXTRA LIFTS FOR RECORD

Denny Habecker: Snatch – Fulton Bar 45KG
LaVerne Myers: Snatch – Fulton Bar 40KG
John Mahon: Snatch – Fulton Bar 78KG
LaVerne Myers: Hack Lift – Left Arm 90KG
Sam Trew: Hack Lift – Left Arm 115KG
Dennis Mitchell: Hack Lift – Right Arm 50.5KG
Dan Wagman: Hack Lift – Right Arm 117.5KG
Frank Ciavattone: Hack Lift – Right Arm 115KG

NOTES:  All lifts are recorded in kilograms.  BWT is bodyweight in kilograms.  NW means the lifter did “not weigh” or the bodyweight was not recorded on day 2. Total is the total kilograms lifted.  Points are adjusted points for bodyweight and age. 

BEST LIFTERS

Womens Open: Paula De La Mata
Womens Master: Ruth Jackson
Womens Overall: Ruth Jackson
Mens Open: John Mahon
Mens Master 40-44: Chad Ullom
Mens Master 45-49: Lance Foster
Mens Master 50-54: Dan Wagman
Mens Master 55-59: Dave Glasgow
Mens Master 60-64: George Dick
Mens Master 65-69: LaVerne Myers
Mens Master 70-74: Denny Habecker
Mens Master 75-79: Rudy Bletscher
Mens Master 80-84: Art Montini
Mens Master Overall: Dan Wagman
Mens Overall: Dan Wagman
Club Champion: Ledaig AC (Dave Glasgow, Doug Kressly, Jera Kressly) – 1727.6 pts
Club Champion Runnerup: Dino Gym (Chad Ullom, Rudy Bletscher, LaVerne Myers) – 1638.4 pts

by Roger LaPointe

I hate the term “Man Cave”. Now I’ve said it and you know the perspective I am coming from.

THE REST OF THE STORY
Here is the other half of that equation. Except for looking at the hot chicks, I dislike almost everything I see at commercial gyms. I don’t necessarily dislike most of the equipment, but the attitude and atmosphere. Most of them generically sterile and completely lack character. I have been a part of the fitness industry, as a professional, for sixteen years now. So I have been in a lot of gyms. I feel I can safely say that I have been in more gyms than almost anybody you know. Outside of little key clubs, there are only a handful of gyms that I would pay to train in. They just seem to suck the life out of me. That leaves the “man cave gym”. I hate the term, but if the shoe fits I intend to make the most of mine.

I recently saw a list of the what some author thought were the top five things necessary for the best man caves. The concept was fine, but the items consisted of every frat house stereotype you can imagine. I don’t remember each item, but I know there was a foosball table, a liquor cabinet and a beer sign. I am sure you get the idea. These places are not training halls.

THE WAREHOUSE GYM
In addition to some awesome equipment, some of which is just old and useful and other items are awesome because of my access to the industry, I also have some things that make for a great gym, which you might not typically think of. I love old retro scales, so the gym has a great stand-up dial type bodyweight scale from the 1950s. I have a locker set, just like the ones that are for sale in the USED Category. I also have a set of 4 antique folding theater seats, because you need a place to sit between sets. Of course, there are a number of posters, wall charts, photos and even an old Pabst Beer sign… featuring a performing strongman.

I love gyms with character. Now is the time to start developing your own gym, even if you belong to one of those sterile chrome and fern facilities. The book I wrote, Traditional Training Legendary Strength makes an excellent training hall compliment to the Garage Gym Guide:

http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BK90

Live strong, Roger LaPointe
“Today is a good day to lift.”