Monthly Archives: January 2016

Lifter of the Month – John McKean

by Al Myers

John McKean in action performing a trap bar deadlift at his recent record day.

John McKean in action performing a trap bar deadlift at his recent record day.

The lifter of the month for December is the long time Ambridge lifter, John McKean.  John celebrated his 70th birthday in December by hosting a record day at the Ambridge Barbell Club. In this meet John set several new USAWA and IAWA records to add to his lengthy record count.  John has been involved with the USAWA since practically the beginning.  He competed in York this past summer at the USAWA National Championships and assisted me with the announcing duties. He has been a consistent contributer to the USAWA website by submitting some very interesting stories.  John has been around weightlifting his entire life and is a joy to visit with because you will hear some almost unbelievable tales about past meets and lifters!

Congrats John!

Lifter on the Month – Al Myers

by Chad Ullom

Al and his award at the Gold Cup.

Al and his award at the Gold Cup.

The lifter of the month for November is our Secretary and Webmaster, Al Myers! Al competed in the Gold Cup and won the Howard Prectel trophy. Al represented the USAWA in the Belmont Heavy events in Perth and won the masters class! While in Australia, he also set a new record in the Power Row and on his second lift set a record in the Thumbless DL. Way to go Al!
Congratulations!

Lifter of the Month – Art Montini

by Al Myers

Art Montini in Glasgow, Scotland competing in the 2015 IAWA World Championships.

Art Montini in Glasgow, Scotland competing in the 2015 IAWA World Championships.

I’m a little behind on announcing the LIFTER OF THE MONTH so today I’m going to get caught up!

Looking back at October it was a “no-brainer” who the lifter of the month should be for the USAWA.  It is none other than the IRONMAN Art Montini. Art represented the USAWA in Scotland at the IAWA World Championships early in the month, where on his 88th birthday,  won another World Title. He followed this up the NEXT WEEKEND by hosting his annual Birthday Bash, which is now the longest running sanctioned meet in the USAWA. That’s TWO weekends in a row of competing, with one being an overseas trip.  That’s deserving of LIFTER OF THE MONTH in my opinion!

Congrats Art!

Past Postal Series History

by Al Myers

I’ve just completed a summary of our past postal series meets.  The complete summary may be found under the history section located at the top of the website.  One of my goals (among many others!) is to collect a complete historical archive of all the USAWA Championship events, which includes our Postal Championships and Postal Series Champions.  I am getting closer to finished on this project with this done – which took a fair amount of research!

It’s amazing how far our Postal Meet Series has come.  Early on in 2007 when John Wilmot first started on this endeavor very few competed in his postal meets. The first year he promoted two meets only.  These postal meets had critics, with a few thinking that it would fail. But thankly John persisted and in 2008 promoted the first Postal Championships. By 2009 interest had really increased with many lifters entering every postal meet. The Postal Series was started that year with lifters accumulating points towards an overall yearly postal series champion.  In 2011 the USAWA officially recognized the postal meets and the title of a Postal Meet Director.  Part of this included the sanctions for the Postal Series Meets to be sponsored by the USAWA . Up to this point John paid out of his own pocket to sanction these postal meets.  In 2013 John passed the duty of Postal Meet Director on to Denny Habecker. Our postal meet program is in “good hands” with Denny in charge.  All of the 2016 Postal Meets are ALREADY announced! I see a bright future for our Postal Meets and I would encourage all to participate as this is an easy way to compete in an informal meet in your own gym against many others across the US.

Postal Championships

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

POSTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

This is the announcement for the Postal Championships promoted by the USAWA.  Results must be turned into the USAWA Postal Meet Director Denny Habecker by the deadline stated on the entry form.  A change has been made for the time period in which the postal lifts must be completed this year.  A lifter may do their postal lifts ANYTIME throughout the quarter in which the postal meet is promoted for instead of just the final month.  But remember when doing the postal lifts that it is required that all lifts are done on the SAME DAY.  Also – it is now required that the official postal meet entry form be sent in for your postal lifts to be official. Denny has had some issues with lifters turning in their postal lifts without the entry form in the past year.  This entry form is essential in order that all pertinent information is supplied with your entry.  And as in the past – entering the USAWA postal meets have NO ENTRY FEE.  However, you must be a current member of the USAWA to enter the postal meets.  If you are not a current member your entry will not be accepted.

LIFTS:

Abdominal Raise

Pinch Grip

Continental to Belt

ENTRY FORM (PDF) – 2016 Postal Championships Entry Form

1 2 3 4 5