USAWA

Here are the results from the 3rd Annual Two Fisted Challenge held on 19 – 20 September 2026. This meet was held in Columbia, MO and open to remote competition. There were 13 lifters from four different clubs involved in this meet. In spite of the unique name, the results were settled with iron, and of course, brought out some of the competitive tendencies in USAWA lifters where the prizes were “skinned fingers”. Makes one think of the Garth Brooks song, “Rodeo”.

On the Women’s side, three familiar competitors entered the contest. RJ Jackson put up some great numbers and after weight and age were considered, she posted more than 1300 points as the top mark. But, she did not have a referee available and could not add to her prodigious overall record total. Lisa Gore lifted a total of more than 1000 lb and set age weight records and ALL records across all 14 events. Allison Lupo lifted more than 860 lbs herself, and also set records in every event, four of which were ALL records. All three lifters certainly had a spectacular weekend. Lisa and Allison both had 80+ pound efforts on two individual digits, while all three lifters had finger deadlifts greater than 100 lb. Lisa Gore got 152 lb on the deadlift middle finger and Allison Lupo posted a 120 lb effort in the same event.

The Men’s competition boiled down to a battle between Frank’s Barbell Club and Clark’s Gym. The top six positions were members of these two clubs, and Frank Ciavattone walked away as the champion this year. He posted an astounding one ton total in raw weight, but after age and weight were considered, he finished with over 2100 points which was nearly 300 ahead of the next competitor! His efforts resulted in 12 new records six of which were ALL records. Veteran lifter John Carter finished second overall with over 1500 lb total in raw weight and 1850 points. He showed that he’s still a formidable force with age and weight records in eight events. Third and fourth produced the closest outcome with Nils Larson lifting one pound more than Jeff Wenzel. When you’re talking 1750 lbs, that is basically a tie. But their age difference resulted in Nils taking 3rd and finishing just 7.5 points off second place. Nils set age weight records in 12 events, while Jeff racked up nine records of his own. The difference between these two were emblematic of the entire top six. Frank’s Barbell Club dominated the single digit lifts (Frank and Nils topping the list) while Clark’s were tops in the two finger deadlifts. Jeff took first in the finger deadlift category in terms of raw weight and was one of two lifters to get more than 200 lb in a finger deadlift event. Fifth and sixth also produced a tight finish with Wade Marchand grabbing fifth (no pun intended). Wade set six age and weight records and had an impressive day on the two finger deadlifts finishing third overall in those four events in raw poundage. Tony Lupo finished sixth overall and was the other lifter to top 200 lb in a finger deadlift event. In seventh place was Bill Clark, who was the only male lifter to set 14 age and weight records. At 94 years young, it was quite a show to watch him work for 763 lb and almost 1300 points after age and weight. In eighth place was Jarrod Fobes, but his finish does not tell the whole story. He put up an impressive 1145 lb participating in only 10 events having had to bow out of the two finger deadlifts due to injury. Given his pace he would have clearly finished in the top four as he finished fourth considering age and weight, but third in raw weight, in the single digit events. This included seven age and weight records which were ALL records as well. He even tied one of his previous records. Jerome Licini and Sanjiv Gupta also participated in the competition and had pretty good days themselves by lifting nearly 5% more than the previous year. This is significant since as we age, the ability to keep up with the previous year is not a guarantee. Sanjiv also set eight age and weight records as well. Congratulations to all 13 lifters who combined for more than 100 records and countless skinned digits!

3rd Annual Two Fisted Challenge

It was a fun weekend at Clark’s Gym when Bill enjoyed a lifting doubleheader – a meet to celebrate his 94^th birthday anniversary – and chance to say “thank you” to the members of Clark’s Gym who have survived 14 meets in the gym this past 12 months, along with the Show-Me State Games power meet for the 37^th straight year – and the gym’s handling of the third USAWA national meet in the past four years.

The dinner was for the 20 gym members who have made it all happen, year after year, and now have had to survive a doubling of the gym rental to go along with all the lifting and  the associated duties that go along with 14 meets in a year’s time.  The gym would have closed had it not been for the actions of the members, Bill is quick to say.

It was also a time for Bill to establish an age group record. Only he has recorded an entry in the record list past the age of 90. He finished 18^th among the 25 male lifters.

He also enjoyed the opportunity to lift in the same meet with Tony Cook of England. He and Cook co-founded the IAWA beginning in 1982 and finalized the details of the organization in December, 1986. Tony was joined by  five British lifters who are listed in the results here with  a note that they did not figure in the awards for the USAWA-sanctioned part of the competition – along with others from the community who Bill invited to join in the lifting just for the hell of it. Cook won the duel between the co-founders. He just turned 90 and finished 13^th here.

A great time was had by all.

And it has been a long time since a meet drew 33 lifters that was not the USAWA postal.

Bill has sanctioned his 95^th birthday bash for August 18, 2027, a date that will find him in a new age bracket – 95-99.

Results from Ol Clarks 94th Birthday Party