Author Archives: Sanjiv Gupta

The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center For Physical Culture and Sports

The Stark Center has been on my list of attractions for quite some time. The family was teasing me as it was my Disneyland. I was recognizing pictures, people and pointing things out wherever I could.

It is housed at the University of Texas at Austin in the football stadium. Entering the stadium and taking an elevator to the 5th floor, visitors are greeted by the Warren Lincoln Travis dumbbell and a large main room with a stein display and large paintings. To the right is the library and research archives. To the right are the exhibits.

As I cannot do justice or organize my thoughts, I will just do a photo dump with my pictures and why they jumped out to me.

I did talk to Patty at the research center, and she is familiar with the USAWA and has several of Bill’s Strength Journals as Terry Todd was a subscriber.

Warren Lincoln Travis’ Dumbbell

Warren Lincoln Travis’ exhibition barbell from Coney Island

Bob Peoples’ stone loaded wooden barbell. The height seems similar to a standard barbell.

Sig Klein’s 160 pound stage barbell. The stage and splendor of strongman and odd lifting should not be forgotten.

Barbell made by Terry Todd and used by Mark Henry to train for 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic. It was neat to see equipment made from what could be found in the oil field.

George Jowett’s Anvil. Anvils have never been part of USAWA. It would be a challenging opportunity as the shape of every anvil is unique.

Basque Lifting Stone. I need to do some homework on this.

Jan and Terry Todd with some of his collection. Love the Iron Man plates.

Terry Todd earning his PhD in 1966. His interest led him to a doctorate degree.

Ironhistory Forum founder Joe Roark. I am subscriber and love the content.

Louis Cyr and his dumbbell.

Doug Hepburn holding a 45 pound plate at arm’s length by his little finger

1950’s picture of Marvin Eder with some grippers

Tommy Kono and Pete George with a 375 pound Team Clean & Jerk

Tommy Kono entertaining the crowd

1991 National Powerlifting meet. I am a Purdue grad and love seeing the support for women’s competition.

Her story chalkboard with Diya’s current claim to fame

Katie Sandwina

Richard Sorin’s 1991 close of the #3 Gripper

Cool statue in the library

Stein Collection

Frank Zane in a vacuum, Lou Ferrigno in a front double bicep and myself in overhead hands out double biceps. These paintings were just cool.

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, MAY 2025 – JESSICA HOPPS

Jessica Hopps has shined during the month of May by winning the 2025 USAWA Heavy Lift Championship with a very impressive 1830 pound total to earn May Lifter of the Month honors. This came on the heels of the March New England Winter Heavy Lift Classic where she won the women’s field with a 2000 pound total.

Jessica has records on the books going back to 2013. She has competed at National Championships and World Championships and is well on her way to the Century Club with 65 records to her name.

Congratulations Jessica!

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, APRIL 2025 – JEFF WENZEL

April was an exciting month with meets being held in Colorado and Missouri. Jeff Wenzel earned lifter of the month with some incredible lifts in the Club Championships and winning the Bench Press Heptathlon. His 250-pound Reg Park Bench Press was good for an all-ages record at 110kg.

Jeff has been enthusiastically competing and setting records since 2023 in the 45-year-old age category and since the 50th Birthday Bash in the 50-year-old age category. Jeff is a member of the Century Club and was honored as 2024 Newcomer of the Year.

All-Round weightlifting is a family sport in the Wenzel household. Spencer (17), Logan (10) and Riley (20) quickly in Jeff’s footsteps. They tend to favor the obscure and currently all four athletes hold records in the Anderson Squat, Jackson Press, Roman Chair Sit-up, Pinch Grip Deadlift and Bench Dip.

Congratulations Jeff!

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, MARCH 2025 – RANDY SMITH

March was a busy month with meets being held in Massachusetts, Kentucky, Missouri and Colorado. Randy Smith earned lifter of the month for March by shining in the Colorado Single Arm Challenge and Jeff’s 50th Birthday Bash. He was first overall in the Single Arm Challenge with a massive 420 pound unadjusted total at 198 pound bodyweight and 70 years of age. During Jeff’s Birthday Bash, he completed four of five lifts with an impressive 130 pound Roman Chair Sit-up.

Randy has records dating back to the 2003 National Championship and has competed in 16 National Championships and was the best lifter in 2015. He is a member of the Century Club with 144 records. 31 of those are National Records, which puts him at 5th behind some pretty impressive company.

Most recently he has taken a role on the USAWA Advisory Committee which was tasked with better understanding the membership.

This is the 4th time Randy has earned Lifter of the Month with past recognition in July 2014, June 2015 and October 2021. Congratulations Randy!

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, FEBRUARY 2025 – JEFF BANKENS

Jeff Bankens is the lifter of the Month for February.  Jeff is a newcomer to the organization, but has already made an impact by hosting the first ever USAWA meet in Louisiana and setting four records along the way.

Jeff is also active on USAWA’s social media platforms with (5) posts in February in addition to his strongman show clips in 2024.  Finally, Jeff is active in his church community and brings people of the world together not only through the Gospel, but also through strength sports.  Congratulations Jeff!

1 … 17 18 19 20