USAWA Daily News – Page 358

Category Archives: USAWA Daily News

Gold Cup

October 5, 2011 Al Myers

by Steve Gardner

The 2011 Gold Cup

A major highlight of the 2011 IAWA Gold Cup was the IAWA(UK) Hall of Fame induction of Sam Hills and Steve Sherwood. Pictured in left picture (left to right): Steve Gardner, Frank Allen, Sam Hills. Pictured in right picture (left to right): Steve Gardner, Steve Andrews, Steve Sherwood

The lifting at this year’s Gold Cup was outstanding, the list of different lifts attempted was both varied and very interesting to witness. During the day we were treated to several attempts on lifts that were in fact the heaviest ever done in any weight class on those particular disciplines. Junior lifter: Emily Myers (from the USA) at 19 years old, was the youngest competitor, whilst Frank Allen from England, William Wright from Scotland and Denny Habecker from the USA were the most senior competitors, all at 69 years young. After the lifting, the banquet dinner was held at Branston Golf and Country Club, where everyone had a wonderful time, and Steve and Karen Gardner were assisted at the presentation by their Grand Son: 5 years old Dominic, who made a good job of shaking everyones hand, and when Paula asked if she could have a kiss, he simply replied ‘No’ with no expression at all (give him a few years Lol!)

The IAWA (UK) Hall of Fame 2011 Induction

The IAWA(UK) HOF bi- annual Induction ceremony was carried out at the Awards Banquet at Branston Golf and Country Club, following the presentation for the Gold Cup. Inductees were: Sam Hills (awards presented by Frank Allen and Steve Gardner) and Steve Sherwood (awards presented by Steve Andrews and Steve Gardner). Steve Sherwood from Hull in Yorkshire has been a great ambassador for all round lifting, and was coached by the late Harold Akrill, and trained with Clive Nevis. Many times British and IAWA World Champion, Steve has always been a master technician on the lifts, and his one hand deadlift record of 200 kilos at 70 kilos bodyweight has stood for many years. Sam Hills from Hastings in East Sussex has been trained by the great Mike Archer (inducted member). Sam has been a great supporter of all round weightlifting, and counts amongst his favourite moments in the sport, as being presented with the award for being the overall best lifter at the IAWA World Championships in Australia.

RESULTS OF THE 2011 GOLD CUP – IAWA 2011 Gold Cup World Record Breakers

A Sign from Above!

October 4, 2011 Thom Van Vleck

by Thom Van Vleck

Underneath an Anvil shaped sign in Lindsborg, Kansas

I like challenges. I guess that’s why I lift weights. For the past 30 plus years I’ve sat down with paper and pen and wrote up countless workout routines, set goals, and made plans. I also have traveled far and wide to meet with the best, learn from them, and been inspired by them. I have also looked from inspiration from things around me for my lifting. This could be something I would want to lift, but it could also be something that would inspire me to train harder and lift more!

Recently, I was in Lindsborg, Kansas with my family after competing in the McPherson Scottish Highland Games. My wife and I both have some Swedish ancestry (her being one quarter Swedish) we wanted to go by Lindsborg and soak up some of the Swedish atmosphere….and food! While we walked around I saw the sign in the above photo. Back in the day, most people couldn’t read so shop owners would have signs that told you what they did by their shape as much as by what they said. Did you know that barber poles represent veins and arteries because barbers used to draw blood to remove “bad blood” back when people thought that would cure their illnesses? Blacksmiths would, of course, use an anvil!

I like anvils. If you don’t know the story of Grandpa Jackson’s anvil then you probably don’t know me. But just in case, I have an anvil that’s been in my family for 4 generations and lifted by all 4 generations….maybe more! I know it’s at least pre-Civil War, who knows. But more importantly, it was the inspiration for my grandfather to begin lifting weights, that led to my Uncles lifting, and me and the many, many lifters that came out of the Jackson Weightlifting Club. So, when I was walking down the street, this sign inspired me. It was symbolic of a trade, but it has become symbolic of strength, hard work, and do-it-yourself type attitude.

Now, it’s funny when I mentioned this, John O’Brien stated that when I had ideas, he often ended up getting hurt. But in this case, I was just thinking about making a sign for my gym like the one above. Because I want my gym to be symbolic like the anvil. Symbolic of hard work, sweat of your brow, can-do, and self determination. So, this was a just a sign for most walking by, but for me…..it was a sign from above!