Many thanks to the team at Clark’s Gym that are getting ready to host the National Championship.
Several logistical changes have been made to make sure it is a safe, enjoyable and affordable event. These include adding a Day 2 to be able to set records and lowering the entry fee from $50 to $40.
Finally, while remote athletes cannot officially participate in the National Championship, Clark’s Gym is accepting record session lifts from remote athletes provided they have officials present.
During the weekend of 25 – 26 April 2026, two meets were held in Columbia, MO at Clark’s Gym, a rare event. But each catered to very different crowds. First the Diamonds. This meet targets our older members (70 years+) – and it attracted some of our most accomplished Hall of Famers. The three USAWA lifters total 1245 individual records all-time, including the most prolific and third most prolific individual lifters. The events were; the Deadlift Hells Together, the Jefferson Lift, Bench Press Reverse Grip and Hands Together, the Seated Press From the Rack, and a non-USAWA lift – the Deadlift Fulton Bar No Thumbs.
The winner this year was Hall of Famer Randy Smith, who made his debut in this meet. Randy had top lifts in the Deadlift Heels Together and both bench presses on his way to a 1200+ pound performance. This translated into 1510 Lynch points. Second and third were Hall of Famers Denny Habecker and Frank Ciavattone. Denny edged past Frank by about 20 Lynch points with steady strong lifts across each event, and totaled 1372 Lynch points. Frank Ciavattone was number one in raw weight lifted and as the only lifter with a referee racked up three new records, including an ALL age record in the Seated Press from the Rack. He was also the top lifter in three of the six events. Also competing were two guests who are among the best from Britain. Tony Cook finished 19 points ahead of his countryman Stan Shreeve as both lifters racked up more than 1100 Lynch points. Congratulations to all of our competitors who demonstrated to us younger folks that age is just a number and, more important, lifting weights can lead to a long life!
Check out some of the record day performances as well. Toby Ortega and David DeForest did some lifts not commonly done that combine raw strength with dexterity. Jeff Wenzel and Travis Luther performed a strong team deadlift. Sanjiv Gupta contributed some big deadlifts, and Frank Ciavattone showed he has stamina as well as raw strength with five powerful records on top of his six competition lifts.
On to the Diaper Day Meet and Record Day. This day was suggested by Clark’s Gym members to honor teammate Travis Luther becoming a dad. It became sort of a “lifters baby shower” as the entry fee was some sort of baby item like diapers or wipes. Each of the events were meant to mimic the moves a new dad or mom may have to master with a newborn such as the; Full Gardner, Holdout Raised, the Habecker Lift, and the Goerner Stroll. Only one female lifter joined the party, and Janet Thompson adds another meet win to her strong 2026 showing.
The competition for the men was quite stiff as the difference between first and sixth was only 90 Lynch points, or only 11% to the winner’s total. The top five were even closer, separated by about 50 Lynch points. The winner was Jeff Wenzel, a lifter on a title tear! As a future Hall of Famer, he was the only one to total 900 lb in raw weight, and set two records in the four events. Teammates Toby Ortega and dad-to-be Travis Luther finished second and third, and were separated by under three points. Toby was one of only two lifters to set records in all four events! The other was the women’s competitor and champion, Janet Thompson. Travis lifted a raw total of more than 800 pounds. Riley Wenzel and Dave DeForest finished four and five and less than two points separated them (Riley was six points behind Travis). Each of them posted three records. Riley Wenzel topped the field with a 325 pound Habecker Lift. Randy Smith finished sixth, but with no referee, could not set records. Tony Lupo finished the day with three new records, but was all smiles when he actually completed a Full Gardner Lift. Jerome Licini also contributed to the competition and did not have a referee either.
The record day here was something to behold as well. The highlights were Jeff Wenzel and four Bent Presses as well as Jarrod Fobes, who did five repetition rampage type events and lived to tell the tale! Please check these out too!
April featured the USAWA Grip Championship, Bench Press Heptathlon, Diamond Jubilee and Diaper Day. While the Diamond Jubilee and Diaper Day results are pending there were some outstanding performances in the published results.
Kim Van Wagner earned lifter of the month by being the top female in the 1st Quarter Postal and the top female (and overall) winner of the USAWA Grip Championship. Kim currently holds 139 records and is threatening to break into the top 10 women’s record holders. Kim has results going back to the 2022 1st Quarter Postal but has only been able to set records since the Bench Press Heptathlon in 2024.
Kim joined the USAWA under the Clark’s Gym banner but has joined High Country Vigour, with Bill Clark’s blessing. She always shows outstanding sportsmanship and personal integrity. At the 2026 USAWA Grip Championship, the official gave a down command on the vertical bar lift and Kim simply responded that it was a no-lift as her left knee was not locked out.
Congratulations Kim!
Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as lifter of the month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at usawasec@gmail.com
March featured Tony & Allison’s 60th Birthday Party. Riley Wenzel earned lifter of the month with an incredible 1314-pound total across a broad mix of lifts. The 1367 Lynch Points was good enough for the overall top men’s performance. His 170-pound Anderson Press was also good for the ALL-age class 75kg record. He also holds the ALL-age class record at 70kg.
Riley has been competing for just over a year and holds 67 records in the 60, 65, 70 and 75 kg weight classes.
Does the body need to be upright? Can Sumo stance be used?
I have been involved with All-Round Weightlifting for four years and have officiated in 48 USAWA competitions, but the rules of the deadlift variations always require careful study of the rulebook. I think a careful study of the rulebook is essential for every athlete, but especially those who choose to support the organization by officiating.
The question that most often comes up is does the body need to be upright? The second question that comes up is hand position and whether the hands can be inside the legs?
My understanding of the traditional deadlift is that the body needs to be fully erect (knees locked, hips open, shoulder erect). However, with one arm deadlifts, the shoulders do not need to be pulled erect. This was likely due to limb length variation which may not allow the shoulders to be erect without interference with the groin if the bar were being straddled.
My understanding of the traditional deadlift is that the arms should be outside the legs. However, arms inside the legs is often more comfortable for athletes based on limb length variation. Given this variation and the opportunity for a very wide stance, the rule book typically states that the bar needs to be above the knees when the lift is completed.
As follows are the references in the rulebook.
The Rules of the Basic Movements – Deadlift (XII.A) states that legs are straight, shoulders erect and bar motionless. It also mentions that any hand spacing may be used.
Deadlift – One Arm (B13) Bar must be raised to a point where both ends of the bar are above the knees, but the shoulders do not need to be pulled erect or the body straight as long as the legs are straight.
Deadlift – Stiff Legged (B16) This is the first mention that arms are allowed to be inside the legs.
Deadlift – Dumbbell, One Arm (E13) refers back to Deadlift – One Arm (legs straight, shoulders not erect)
Bavarian Deadlift (H4) – lifter has to use Sumo stance
Deadlift – 3” Bar (I4) – Rules of Deadlift (legs straight, shoulders erect)
Deadlift – Fulton Dumbbell One Arm (I7) refers back to Deadlift – Dumbbell, One Arm refers back to Deadlift One – Arm (legs straight, shoulder not erect)
Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell One Arm (I8) refers back to Deadlift – Dumbbell, One Arm refers back to Deadlift One – Arm (legs straight, shoulder not erect)
Pinch Grip Deadlift (I15) legs straight and body erect
Travis Lift (I24) shoulders and torso do not need to be upright
Vertical Bar Deadlift – 1 Bar, 1”, One Hand (I26) legs straight and knees locked, but shoulders and body do not need to be erect. Lifting hand must be above mid-thigh.
Did this article miss anything or are corrections required?
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