Author Archives: Tony Lupo

Bench Press Heptathlon VI and Record Day, Columbia MO

APRIL 10-11, 2027

CLARK’S GYM AND REMOTE

ENTRY FEE: None.

WEIGH-INS – 8 A.M. EACH DAY.

AWARDS – Certificates (Male and female divisions)

LIFTS:

  • Bench press – Feet on floor (non USAWA lift)
  • Bench press – feet in air
  • Bench press – reverse grip
  • Bench press – alternate grip
  • Bench press – hands together
  • Bench press – right hand
  • Bench press – left hand

SPECIAL EVENTS: Certificates also for Rampage, Reg Park, and for Roman Chair Bench.

OPEN TO THE WORLD – All competition in Clark’s Gym is hybrid. You may compete in your local gym or in the friendly confines of Clark’s Gym in Columbia, Mo. To compete remotely, you must enter by 10 p.m. on Tuesday 6 April 2027 your results will not be accepted. You must send all results to Bill Clark via e-mail only at yeoldclark@gmail.com not later than 10 p.m. on the Tuesday 13 April 2027.

Included on the reporting form must be the name of the official(s) involved. DO NOT send your remote results to the USAWA. They must be approved by the meet director first. If you have no officials, your results will be included in the final tabulation of the competition and be eligible for meet awards – but not records. Your honesty is the key to all competitions.

OFFICIALS – Must accompany remote results to be eligible for records.

USAWA CLASS OF 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: DAVE GLASGOW

Our next honoree to be admitted to the USAWA Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class is David Glasgow. He joins Abe Smith and David DeForest. Dave is a lifelong athlete who holds more than 100 USAWA records, many of which are pretty impressive and hard to break! As a lifelong athlete, he wrestled and played baseball in high school, and in college wrestled and played soccer. Outside of these sports, Dave gained recognition as a world class athlete in the Highland Games. The atmosphere around these games is so much like the USAWA in that competitors encourage and coach each other while at the same time trying to compete with their colleagues and themselves. The camaraderie is what makes our sport so attractive. Dave is a person who embodies this spirit at meets. His teammates at Ledaig Heavy Athletics Club value his presence for these reasons.  Dave’s nomination for the HOF highlights that he has competed in National Championships, IAWA World Championships, and the many meets hosted by the USAWA. His National and World Championships feature some top five finishes!

 Dave has been a valued member of the USAWA for many years (well we won’t say how many) and, like all our hall of famers, there is more to him than his athletic contributions. Dave is the founder of the Ledaig Heavy Athletics Club. He’s been a meet director for the Club Championships and record breaker meets, served the USAWA as a board member, and a certified referee. You can count on him refereeing and helping with the loading at meets I’ve attended with him, and he always has an encouraging word for lifters. He’s even stepped forward to host the 2027 USAWA National Championship meet.

In his life outside the gym Dave was a paramedic and an ER nurse for over 20 years and should be proud to have been part of a profession that saves lives. The 2026 USAWA class welcomes David Glasgow on his induction to the Hall of Fame! Congratulations.   

Light Weight Decathlon Challenge III and Record Day, Columbia, MO

Date: 20 – 21 March 2027 (Moving it to March after trying June and August).

Location: Clark’s Gym, Columbia, MO and Remote

Weigh–In time: 8:30 am

Lifting begins: 9:30 am

Meet Directors: Tony Lupo and Allison Lupo

The Lifts:

  • Side Press, Bar (one arm)
  • Deadlift Little Fingers
  • Pullover Straight Arm
  • Thor’s Hammer
  • Pinch Grip Strict (one hand). 
  • Crucifix
  • Zeigler Clean
  • Finger Lift, Thumb (one hand)
  • Rectangular Fix Fulton Bar
  • Weaver Stick Backwards

How to enter: OPEN TO THE WORLD – All competition in Clark’s Gym is hybrid. You may compete in your local gym or in the friendly confines of Clark’s Gym in Columbia, Mo. You must send all results to Clark’s Gym via e-mail only at yeoldclark@gmail.com, lupoa0313@gmail.com, or magak13@centurytel.net not later than 10 p.m. 23 March 2027.

Included on the reporting form must be the name of the official(s) involved. DO NOT send your remote results to the USAWA. They must be approved by the meet directors first. If you have no officials, your results will be included in the final tabulation of the competition and be eligible for meet awards – but not records. Your honesty is the key to all competitions.

OFFICIALS – Must accompany remote results to be eligible for records.

Record day: You can enter up to five record lifts. 

Remote lifting: To compete remote, you must enter by 5:00 pm 16 March 2027 or your results will not be accepted. 

Memberships: You must be a USAWA Member, membership applications will be accepted at the meet. 

Awards: There will be best lifter awards for men and women. 

Contact: Clark’s Gym, email: yeoldclark@gmail.com, lupoa0313@gmail.com, or magak13@centurytel.net.  

Ed Zercher Strength Classic 2027 and Record Day, Columbia, MO

DATE – Weekend of January 30 – 31, 2027

WHERE – Clark’s Gym, Columbia, Mo.  and remote (hybrid).

USAWA/IAWA MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED. (Onsite registration available).

WEIGH-INS – 8 A.M. each day.

ENTRY FEE – None.

ENTRY DEADLINE – 10 P.M. Tuesday, January 26, 2027, via e-mail to yeoldclark@gmail.com.

AWARDS – Certificates.

OPEN TO THE WORLD – All competition in Clark’s Gym is hybrid. You may compete in your local gym or in the friendly confines of Clark’s Gym in Columbia, Mo. To compete remote, you must enter by 10 p.m. on Tuesday of the weekend involved or your results will not be accepted. You must send all results to Bill Clark via e-mail only at yeoldclark@gmail.com not later than 10 p.m. on the Tuesday following the meet.

Included on the reporting form must be the name of the official(s) involved. DO NOT send your remote results to the USAWA. They must be approved by the meet director first. If you have no officials, your results will be included in the final tabulation of the competition and be eligible for meet awards – but not records. Your honesty is the key to all competitions.

OFFICIALS – Must accompany remote results to be eligible for records.

REPORTING DEADLINE – All remote result must be received by e-mail by 10 p.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2027.

THE LIFTS

  • DL – Heels together
  • Hack lift
  • Steinborn lift
  • Zercher lift
  • Leg press (non USAWA lift)
  • DL – one hand
  • DL – one-hand thumbless
  • Hip lift
  • Harness lift
  • Hand-and-thigh lift
  • Neck lift
  • Bench press feet in air.

USAWA CLASS OF 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

We’re not done with 2026 USAWA Awards just yet. We have some Hall of Famers to highlight for the Class of 2026. It is a pleasure to see Abe Smith join his teammate David DeForest in the 2026 USAWA HOF Class. Abe certainly makes a competitive and athletic case.  He has over 300 individual records, which is 12th place overall in the Century Club. He is one of the most prolific record holders in Clark’s Gym history. In spite of Abe’s young age, he has also served the USAWA on the executive board and as a referee. Abe has competed in the USAWA Nationals, IAWA World Championships, and the many events the USAWA sanctions. Every time he competes, he is a top five finisher. Abe has also been voted by his peers to be the USAWA Athlete of the Year for three years running (2022 – 2024).

Abe is part of the “old guard” from Clark’s Gym that has made many of us who joined the gym in the last five years feel welcome. In spite of his accomplishments and the incredibly large amount of weight he lifts, he is a very humble person. He will referee and load for his fellow lifters without being asked. If he’s asked to do these tasks at meets, he does so cheerfully. As a teacher, like the others on the “old guard” at Clark’s, he does not come up to a lifter and loudly offer advice. Rather, if he sees a lifter doing something that might endanger the lifter or if a lifter asks for his advice, he will explain technique patiently. While Abe lives in the Kansas City area, but when he’s in Columbia he is very welcome presence in our gym and brings a positive and effervescent personality. We always look forward to him coming to town and he is well-liked by all of us. He always cheers on his teammates and acknowledges others accomplishments before his own!

In his life outside the gym, he is a devoted family man to his own family in the Kansas City area and he regularly visits his family here in Boone County, MO area. He is also a person who has shown a tremendous amount of courage and tenacity in the weight room and in life! The 2026 USAWA HOF class welcomes Abe Smith as second of four members inducted this year!

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