USAWA

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!

4th Annual Diamond Jubilee and Record Day

Diaper Day Meet and Record Day