Author Archives: Sanjiv Gupta

AL MYERS AWARDED LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

Al Myers needs no introduction.  He was the long-term Secretary of the USAWA and was the driving force behind all the wonderful content on the website.  His articles are a constant inspiration to me when I try to type something clever to make sure the USAWA remains a friendly, welcoming organization for strength athletes and fans of historic physical culture.

Al has not been one for self-promotion.  His 2016 induction into the Hall of Fame has no biography.  He was awarded the Ciavattone Award in 2019 without much fanfare.  He was the second winner of the Prechtel Contribution Award in 2016.

Randy Smith made the nomination for a Lifetime Membership by simply stating that “Al put a tremendous amount of time and energy into bettering the USAWA and keeping it going for years.  The large number of excellent articles penned by Al on a regular basis made the website truly awesome.  Plus his incredible support hosting meets, and traveling to run or help run meets that he did not host.  I could go on and on

I do not believe that the USAWA would still be in existence if Al had not put the time and effort into it for the multiple years that he did”

Al holds (537) individual records stretching back to 2002.  He shares (83) team lift records going back to 2007.

Al’s Dino Gym was named after Brooks Kubik’s “Dinosaur Training.”  I had the pleasure of visiting the Dino Gym in 2024 and it is truly an homage to All-Round Weightlifting and physical culture.  You will find York Deep Dish plates, globe dumbbells, a wall of history and countless awards and trophies.  You will also see some amazing self-fabricated pieces as Al’s pursuit of strength would not be held back by the availability of commercial equipment.  The Dino Gym Challenge could be considered a 9th championship.

On the topic of Championships, Al was the long-time host of the Grip Championship and won the event in 2011, 2012 and 2018.  He has also hosted the Team Lift Championship and was on the winning team for 10 consecutive years from 2007-2016.

In addition to announcing and scorekeeping, Al promoted the National Championship in 2021, 2018, 2012, 2009, and 2006.  As an athlete, he won the National Championship (9) times between 2006 and 2019. 

He promoted the Gold Cup in 2016 and earned the Prechtel Award for best lift in 2019, 2015 and 2013.

He promoted the IAWA World Championship in 2019 and 2012, has (12) top ten finishes and was the overall winner in 2006. 

His first USAWA position was as Vice President in 2007 and then Secretary/Treasurer from 2010-2021.  He has been on the IAWA Technical Committee since 2012.  He was the President of the IAWA from 2012 to 2024.

A point of order is that without all of the history and archiving Al performed, none of these accolades could be properly researched.  They would be lost to stories, e-mails and newsletters.  By my estimation, Al has posted 1,603 of 2,638 posts on the website.

This is only the 2nd Lifetime Membership awarded by the USAWA.  The first was to Bill Clark in 2011 as part of a Lifetime Achievement Award.  On behalf of the United States All-Round Weightlifting Association in recognition of his long-term contributions to the organization and guidance through its 35th Anniversary and beyond, we wish to present Al Myers the Lifetime Membership Award on November 1st, 2025.

For Women Only

Results taken from Clark’s Gym Newsletter – Vol. XXXIV, No. 10
(I will be catching up a few results that were missing from this past summer based on available resources)

June 23, 2025
FOR WOMEN ONLY – AND RECORD DAY.

Lisa Gore has mostly recovered from a knee problem and defeated two fellow members of Clark’s Gym as other USAWA women – both remote and hybrid – chose not to rise and shine in a meet designed – like the Olympics and every other sport of value in the world – to showcase the ability of girls’ and women’s sports.

The meet, the first offered for women only, was an effort to build the strong foundation for a national women’s championship and encourage women and girls to succeed on a stage designed for them only.

Gore led a trio of veterans who have long served the non-lifting Columbia community. Lisa, 59, is an operating room nurse; Janet Thompson (67) is in her fourth term as one of three Boone County commissioners; Allison Lupo, also 59, is a longtime employee of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia.

Interestingly, Lisa is the current chair of the county Republican party and Janet is a longtime leader of the Democratic Party. Lisa has long been a leader in women’s fitness; Thompson has long been a rider and driver of show horses at the national level.

Allison Lupo was dragged to the gym by her husband and now is the family leader in the number of USAWA national records. She is the only one of three who is a registered USAWA official.

They would love to be joined by the other women of like interest in strength and competition.

Clark’s Gym plans to sanction “For Women Only” again in 2026.

Now – the results from a busy weekend.

FOR WOMEN ONLY

Weekend of June 21-22, 2025
Sponsored by Clarks’ Gym

First – Lisa Gore. Age – 59. Bwt – 222.5
Bench press – feet up – 75.
Swing -right hand – 40.
Deadlift – right hand – 155.
Push press behind neck – 80.
Hack lift – 185.
Total – 575.
Adjusted total – 584.22.

Second – Janet Thompson. Age – 67. Bwt. – 164,
Bench press – feet up – 75.
Swing – right hand – 30.
Deadlift – right hand – 110.
Push press behind neck – 35.
Hack lift – 120.
Total – 370.
Adjusted total – 475.59.

Third Place – Allison Lupo.
Bench press – feet up – 72.
Swing – right hand – 30.
Deadlift – right hand – 130.
Push press behnd neck – 50.
Hack lift – 105.
Total – 377.
Adjusted total – 406.86.

OFFICIALS: Bill Clark, Tony Lupo, Dave DeForest, Jeff Wenzel.

RECORD DAYS

From Ontario:
Joe Somfay. Age – 79. Bwt. – 192.2.
Rectangular fix – 59.
Clean and seated press – two dumbbells – 60.
Hack lift – Right hand – 85.
Vertical bar – two bars – two inch – 130.
Dinnie Deadlift – 272.

Chris Frappier. Age – 60. Bwt – 215.2.
Rectangular fix – 70.
Clean and seated press – two dumbbells – 80.
Hack lift – right hand – 95.
Vertical bar – two bars – two-inch – 200
Saxon deadlift – 110.

Officials: The two lifters.

From Clark’s Gym:

Janet Thompson. Age -67. Bwt. – 164.
Swing – left hand – 30.
Deadlift – left hand – 110.
Dinnie Lift – 200.

Tim Market. Age – 18. Bwt. – 156.
Bent over row – 120.
Continental to belt – 120.
Continental to chest – 100.
Anderson press – 75.
Roman chair bench press – 45.

Dave DeForest. Age – 65. Bwt. – 181.
Holdout – lowered – 45.
Holdout – raised – 45.
Clean and press behind neck – 90.
Clean and press – alternate grip – 95.
Clean and seated press – two dumbbells – 2×30 – 60.

Jeff Wenzel. Age – 50. Bwt. – 235.
Clean and press – Fulton bar – 175.
Bent over row – 285.
Continental to chest – 201.
Anderson press – 225.
Clean and press on knees – 130.

Allison Lupo. Age – 59. Bwt. -196.5.
Deadlift – left hand – 105.
Deadlift – right hand – 105.
Dinnie lift – 245.
Two hands anyhow – 35.
Deadlift – stiff-legged – 165.

OFFICIALS: Bill Clark, Tony Lupo, Allison Lupo, Dave Deforest, Jeff Wenzel.

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, OCTOBER 2025, DENNY HABECKER

October featured the IAWA World Championship, Q3 Postal Results and the Herman Goerner Deadlift Dozen.  Denny Habecker earned lifter of the month with his massive 105kg Straddle Deadlift in the IAWA World Championship.  Combined with impressive lifts across the board, Denny was the top USA finisher and 15th overall.

Denny is a 1997 Hall of Fame inductee and this is his 6th time being recognized as lifter of the month.  He had been the long running president of the USAWA and is on the IAWA Technical Committee and serves as USA Vice President to the IAWA.  He stands alone with over 600 records set in the 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 age groups including 17 ALL age class records and 23 NAT records.  He is a regular on the United States and International circuit and a gentleman on and off the platform.

He has been promoting the Postal league, Memorial Record Day and President’s Cup.  In 2026 he will be promoting the IAWA World Championship.

Congratulations Denny!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as a future Lifter of the Month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at sanjiv_gupta@hotmail.com

Stars of Tomorrow

Results taken from Clark’s Gym Newsletter – Vol. XXXIV, No. 9
(I will be catching up a few results that were missing this past summer based on available resources)

June 19, 2025
CONGRATULATIONS TO NISHA AND SPENCER —
The winners of the Second Annual Stars of Tomorrow contest.
Both were defending their 2024 titles – successfully.

For Spencer – it was a busy spring. He was a double graduate in May., receiving diplomas from both Battle High School in Columbia and an associate degree from Moberly Area Community College, allowing him enroll as a junior in the fall at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. – the home of the Churchill Museum and the home of a section of the Berlin Wall. He will major in psychology.

Spencer’s closest competition came from his 10-year-old soccer-playing brother, Logan, one of five Wenzels rising through the USAWA ranks.

Dad Jeff has taken his place among the USAWA’s elite lifters as a 50-year-old, and Riley, a high school pole vaulter, has now turned his attention toward the USAWA and, at age 20, saw action this weekend in the record day session.

The fifth member of the Wenzel crew made her debut – unofficially – during this weekend. Her name is Dylan and you’ll find her unofficial results listed below. She is six years old.

Nisha Gupta is not only a rising lifter, she is the youngest certified meet official in the USAWA. She recently passed her written exam and, at 16, takes her place in a referee’s chair. Congratulations.

On to the meet results:

STARS OF TOMORROW CHAMPIONSHIPS
June 14-15, 2025
Clark’s Gym – Columbia,. Mo. – and remote.

GIRLS’ DIVISION

1st – Nisha Gupta. Age – 16. Bwt – 88.
Bench press – feet in air – 48.
Jerk from rack – 45.
Anderson squat – 90.
Deadlift – heels together – 105.
Clean and press – heels together – 35.
Total – 323.
Adjusted total – 568.48.

2nd – Diya Gupta. Age – 18. Bwt. – 100.
Bench press – feet in air – 51.
Jerk from rack – 50.
Anderson squat – 100.
Deadlift – heels together – 105.
Clean and press – heels together – 40.
Total – 346.
Adjusted total – 509.62

BOYS DIVISION

1st – Spencer Wenzel. Age – 18. Bwt – 125.
Bench press – feet in air – 140.
Jerk from rack – 95.
Anderson squat – 315.
Deadlift – heels together – 235.
Clean and press – heels together – 80.
Total – 865.
Adjusted total – 1075.01

2nd – Logan Wenzel. Age 10. Bwt – 74
Bench press – feet in air – 29.
Jerk from rack – 22.
Anderson squat – 150.
Deadlift – heels together – 95.
Clean and press – heels together – 21.
Total – 316.
Adjusted total – 798.55.

3rd – Tim Market. Age – 18. Bwt – 156.
Bench press – Feet in air – 100.
Jerk from rack – 85.
Anderson squat – 205.
Deadlift – heels together – 160.
Clean and press – heels together – 85.
Total – 635.
Adjusted total – 677.8

Officials:
Colorado – Sanjiv Gupta, Jarrod Fobes, Kim Van Wagner.
Clarks’ Gym – Jeff Wenzel, Tony Lupo, Allison Lupo, Dave DeForest, Bill Clark.

RECORD DAY – WEEKEND OF JUNE 13-15, 2025

From Colorado:

Sanjiv Gupta. AGE – 54. BWT. – 213.5 LBS.
Deadlift – three-inch bar – 255.

Jarrod Fobes. AGE – 48. BWT. 217.8 LBS.
Pinch – strict – left – 60.
Pinch – strict – right – 60.
Clean and jerk, one arm – left – 82.
Dumbbell press, one arm – left – 72.
Deadlift, one leg – left – 115.

Officials – Fobes, Gupta and Kim Van Wagner.

From Ontario, Canada.

Joe Somfay. Age – 79. Bwt – 192.6.
Hackenschmidt floor press – 155.
Bavarian deadlift – 235.
Trap bar deadlift – 255.

Jeremy Law. Age – 44. Bwt – 268.
Hackenschmidt floor press – 245.
Bavarian deadlift – 400.
Trap bar deadlift – 435.

Chris Frappier. Age – 60. Bwt. – 214.8.
Hackenschmidt floor press – 185.
Bavarian deadlift – 501.
Trap bar deadlift – 456.

Kyle Frappier. Age – 22. Bwt – 215.8.
Hackenschmidt floor press – 175.
Bavarian deadlift – 280.
Trap bar deadlift – 255.

Officials were all four lifters.

Clark’s Gym, Columbia, Mo.

Dave DeForest. Age – 65. Bwt – 180.
Curl – strict – 80.
Snatch – dumbbell – left – 60.
Swing – dumbbell – left – 60.
Snatch – dumbbell – right – 60.
Kenndy lift – 460.

Riley Wenzel. Age – 20. Bwt – 150.
Anderson squat – 405.
Clean and press – Fulton bar – 125.
Bent over row – 185.
Back extension – 100.
Lunge – 200.

Logan Wenzel. Age – 10. Bwt – 74.
Lunge – 28.
Trap bar deadlift – 105.
Clean and jerk – two dumbbells – 2×10 – 20.
Clean and press – two dumbbells – 2×10 – 20.
Thor’s hammer – 7 lb.

Jeff Wenzel. Age – 50. Bwt – 234.
Press from rack – 180.
Lunge – 241.
Phumchaona lift – 1115.
Carter lift – 1175.
Apollon lift – 175.

Dave Beversdorf. Age – 60. Bwt – 300.
Trap bar deadlift – 415.
Peoples deadlift – 455.

Tony Lupo. Age – 59. Bwt. -245.
Pinch grip deadlift – 303.
Deadlift – thumbless – 325.
Deadlift – stiff-legged – 325.
Clean and press – middle fingers – 80.
Press behind neck – from rack – 130.

Allison Lupo. Age – 59. Bwt – 196.
Jerk from rack – 45.
Phumchaona lift – 355. First female to set a record in this lift since Noi performed it two decades ago.
Carter lift – 363.
Deadlift – stiff-legged – 145.
Deadlift – thumbless – 160.

Plus – we had a special lifter who was not registered, but no doubt, will be soon. She follows a family path.

Dylan Wenzel. Age 6. Bwt – 47 lb.
Deadlift – dumbbell right – 20.
Deadlift – dumbbell right – 20.
Rectangular fix – 10.
Deadlift – two hands – 28.
Curl – two dumbbells – 2 x 3 – 6 lbs.

Officials at Clark’s gym – Jeff Wenzel, Tony Lupo, Allison Lupo, Dave DeForest, Bill Clark.

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