Category Archives: USAWA Meet Results

High Country Vigour Cup Results

Jarrod receiving cup for Chin Up Record
Nisha receiving cup for Steinborn Lift Record
Elijah receiving cup for Pull Up Record
Jarrod Chin Up
Nisha and Sanjiv Team Deadlift
Nisha Steinborn Lift

This is the inaugural installation of the High Country Vigour Cup.  I originally wanted to do a simple record day to close out the season. With the excitement of the President’s Cup and the Gold Cup, it seemed like a fun idea for athletes to show off a special lift for themselves.  The local athletes did not disappoint, and we had an incredible (20) remote lifters join in the fun.

I admired Nisha’s courage on the Steinborn Lift.  After making 33 pounds and 44 pounds, she failed a 54-pound attempt.

Elijah shined with a third attempt on the pull up to get his chin over the bar with 20 pounds hanging from weight belt.

Kim’s Piper Lift seemed really solid at 80 pounds.  I realized just how solid when I tried to do the lift.

Jarrod’s pulling power is just amazing.  He held the 60-pound chin up to make sure he was clearly over the bar without any doubt.

It is harder for me to evaluate the remote lifters. 

Columbia, Missouri had some amazing lifts.  I have never performed a Back Lift or a Phumchaona Lift.  Lisa (Backlift – 700 lb) is an ALL age record.  Tony and Jeff improved their benchmarks on the Phumchaona and Travis Luther became the lightest athlete to set a record in the lift.

In a second batch of entries, Janet (Neck Lift – 155 lb), Allison Lupo (Carter Lift – 407 lb), Dave DeForest and Tim Market with Scott Lifts, Bill Clark with a phenomenal 200 lb Roman Chair Situp (the 5th highest lift ever recorded), Dave Beversdorf (Deadlift 12” Base – 450 lb), Riley Wenzel (Jefferson Lift, Fulton Bar – 320 lb) and Logan Wenzel (Back Extension – 50 lb).

In a final entry, John Carter recorded the highest all ages, all weight classes Phumchaona lift at 1,227 pounds.

Pennsylvania had some impressive lifts as well.  The dumbbell cheat curl always puts a lot of strain on my biceps and Barry’s 45-pound effort is an improvement over his 2024 record at 40 pounds.  Not to be outdone, Jerome’s 225 Fulton Bar Hack Lift broke a long-standing record and is the ALL ages heaviest lift in the 110kg class.

Massachusetts had a solid crew of athletes as well.  Jessica Hopps, Dan Jones, Frank Ciavattone, Nils Larson and Wade Marchand decided to only perform record session lifts and did not offer a lift for the Cup. Unofficially, I was most impressed by Jessica’s Peoples Deadlift (209 lb.); Dan’s Bearhug (215 lb.); Frank’s Jefferson Lift, Little Fingers (115 lb.); Nils’ Bearhug (188 lb); and Wade’s Bearhug (188lb).

Best Junior Women – Nisha Gupta
Best Junior Men – Elijah Conley
Best Open Women – NA
Best Open Men – Travis Luther
Best Masters Women – Lisa Gore
Best Masters Men – John Carter

Now for the extremely subjective declaration of the winner:

  1. John Carter – 1,227 lb. Phumchaona Lift
  2. Bill Clark – 200 lb. Roman Chair Situp
  3. Jerome Licini – 225 lb. Hack Lift – Fulton Bar
  4. Lisa Gore – 700 lb. Back Lift
  5. Jarrod Fobes – 60 lb. Chin Up

COMPLETE RESULTS:

Location: High Country Vigour, Lakewood, CO and remote
Meet Director: Sanjiv Gupta
Dates: November 7, 2025

Officials:  Sanjiv Gupta, Jarrod Fobes, Nisha Gupta, Jerome Licini, Barry Pensyl, Bill Clark, Tony Lupo, Jeff Wenzel, Dave DeForest, Allison Lupo, Jessica Hopps, Dan Jones, Frank Ciavattone, Nils Larson, Wade Marchand

As USAWA rules and IAWA rules are different, no lifts will be submitted for IAWA records.

NISHA GUPTA, AGE – 16, BWT. – 85.4 pounds (40 KG Class)
STEINBORN LIFT – 44 lb.
Records:
TEAM DEADLIFT (w/Sanjiv) – 315 lb.

ELIJAH CONLEY, AGE – 18, BWT. – 151.2 pounds (70 KG Class)
PULL UP – 20 lb.
Records:
CHIN UP – 20 lb.
HACK LIFT – 135 lb.
REEVES DEADLIFT – 120 lb.

KIM VAN WAGNER, AGE – 58, BWT. – 126.6 pounds (60 KG Class)
PIPER SQUAT – 80 lb.
Records:
HACK LIFT, FULTON BAR – 145 lb.
REEVES DEADLIFT – 100 lb.
CLEAN & PRESS, ALTERNATE GRIP – 65 lb.
CLEAN & PRESS, BEHIND NECK – 60 lb.

JARROD FOBES, AGE – 48, BWT. – 220 pounds (100 KG Class)
CHIN UP – 60 lb.
Records:
PULL UP – 40 lb.
SWING, 2 DUMBBELLS – 100 lb.
REEVES DEADLIFT – 281 lb.
PIPER SQUAT – 155 lb.

SANJIV GUPTA, AGE – 54, BWT. – 214 pounds (100 KG Class)
APOLLONS LIFT – 143 lb.
Records:
TEAM DEADLIFT (w/Nisha) – 315 lb.
SNATCH, FULTON BAR – 103 lb.
REEVES DEADLIFT – 280 lb.
PIPER SQUAT – 115 lb.

Officials: Sanjiv Gupta, Nisha Gupta, Jarrod Fobes

LISA GORE, AGE – 60, BWT. – 225 pounds (105 KG Class)
BACK LIFT – 700 lb.
Records:
RIM LIFT – 210 lb.
DEADLIFT, 3” BAR – 185 lb.
ANDERSON PRESS – 105 lb.
BENCH PRESS, ALTERNATE GRIP – 110 lb.
BENCH PRESS, REVERSE GRIP – 110 lb.

TRAVIS LUTHER, AGE – 32, BWT – 174 pounds (80 KG Class)
PHUMCHAONA LIFT – 1145 lb.
Records:
JUDD CLEAN & JERK – 115 lb.
DEADLIFT, ONE LEG, LEFT – 225 lb.
DEADLIFT, 3” BAR – 365 lb.

JEFF WENZEL, AGE – 50, BWT. – 224 pounds (105 KG Class)
PHUMCHAONA LIFT – 1155 lb.
Records:
RIM LIFT – 370 lb.
RECTANGULAR FIX – 100 lb.
HOLDOUT, LOWERED – 75 lb.
JERK, FROM RACK, BEHIND NECK – 140 lb.
JUDD CLEAN & JERK – 85 lb.

TONY LUPO,AGE – 59, BWT. – 244 pounds (115 KG Class)
PHUMCHAONA LIFT – 945 lb.
Records:
CARTER LIFT – 925 lb.
CONTINENTAL TO CHEST & JERK – 142 lb.
ANDERSON PRESS – 150 lb.
RIM LIFT – 285 lb.
SWING, 2 DUMBBELLS – 2×45 = 90 lb.

JANET THOMPSON,AGE – 68, BWT. – 164 pounds (75 KG Class)
NECK LIFT – 155 lb.

ALLISON LUPO,AGE – 59, BWT. – 196 pounds (90 KG Class)
CARTER LIFT – 407 lb.
Records:
BACK EXTENSION – 55 lb.
ROMAN CHAIR SITUP – 60 lb.
RECTANGULAR FIX, FULTON BAR – 30 lb.
CLEAN & PRESS – 50 lb.
CLEAN & SEATED PRESS – 40 lb.

DAVE DEFOREST,AGE – 65, BWT. – 184 pounds (85 KG Class)
SCOTT LIFT – 150 lb.
Records:
DEADLIFT, FINGERS, INDEX – 136 lb.
RIM LIFT – 255 lb.
CLEAN & JERK, BEHIND NECK – 115 lb.
CLEAN & JERK, FULTON BAR – 105 lb.
CLEAN & PRESS, FULTON BAR – 105 lb.

BILL CLARK,AGE – 93, BWT. – 204 pounds (95 KG Class)
ROMAN CHAIR SITUP – 200 lb.
Records:
ABDOMINAL RAISE – 25 lb.

TIM MARKET,AGE – 19, BWT. – 165 pounds (75 KG Class)
SCOTT LIFT – 150 lb.
Records:
SAXON DEADLIFT – 70 lb.
SAXON SNATCH – 50 lb.
BACK EXTENSION – 65 lb.
DEADLIFT, 3” BAR – 195 lb.
DEADLIFT, 12” BASE – 215 lb.

DAVE BEVERSDORF,AGE – 60, BWT. – 300 pounds (125+ KG Class)
DEADLIFT, 12” BASE – 450 lb.
Records:
PEOPLES DEADLIFT – 505 lb.

RILEY WENZEL,AGE – 20, BWT. – 150 pounds (70 KG Class)
JEFFERSON LIFT, FULTON BAR – 320 lb.
Records:
PINCH GRIP DEADLIFT, LEFT – 87 lb.
PINCH GRIP DEADLIFT, RIGHT – 87 lb.
HOLDOUT, LOWERED – 65 lb.
LATERAL RAISE, STANDING – 60 lb.
SCOTT LIFT – 170 lb.

LOGAN WENZEL,AGE – 10, BWT. – 76 pounds (35 KG Class)
BACK EXTENSION – 50 lb.
Records:
BENCH PRESS, ONE ARM, LEFT – 10 lb.
BENCH PRESS, ONE ARM, RIGHT – 10 lb.
BENCH PRESS, HANDS TOGETHER – 28 lb.
BENCH PRESS, TWO DUMBBELLS – 20 lb.
ABDOMINAL RAISE – 5 lb.

JOHN CARTER,AGE – 67, BWT. – 195 pounds (90 KG Class)
PHUMCHAONA LIFT – 1,227 lb.
Records:
CARTER LIFT – 1,327 lb.
WEAVER STICK, FRONT – 3 lb.
WEAVER STICK, BACK – 5 lb.

Officials: Bill Clark, Tony Lupo, Jeff Wenzel, Dave DeForest, Allison Lupo

JEROME LICINI,AGE – 67, BWT. – 238 pounds (110 KG Class)
HACK LIFT, FULTON BAR – 225 lb.
Records:
DEADLIFT, FULTON BAR – 250 lb.
RECTANGULAR FIX, FULTON BAR – 43 lb.
MAXEY PRESS – 43 lb.
WEAVER STICK, FRONT – 2 lb.
WEAVER STICK, BACK – 1 lb.

BARRY PENSYL,AGE – 77, BWT. – 125 pounds (60 KG Class)
CURL, CHEAT, DUMBBELL, RIGHT – 45 lb.
Records:
KENNEDY LIFT – 255 lb.
CURL, CHEAT – 76 lb.

Officials: Barry Pensyl, Jerome Licini

JESSICA HOPPS,AGE – 41, BWT. – 160 pounds (75 KG Class)
NA
Records:
PEOPLES DEADLIFT – 209 lb.
SNATCH, DUMBBELL, LEFT – 35 lb.
SNATCH, DUMBBELL, RIGHT – 40 lb.
PINCH GRIP DEADLIFT, LEFT – 36 lb.
PINCH GRIP DEADLIFT, RIGHT – 38 lb.

DAN JONES,AGE – 41, BWT. – 174 pounds (80 KG Class)
NA
Records:
CLEAN & SEATED PRESS, 2 DUMBBELLS – 111 lb.
RH Dumbell Strict Curl – G21 – 40 lb.***Not a USAWA lift, ineligible for USAWA Records
DEADLIFT, FULTON DUMBBELL, LEFT – 134 lb.
DEADLIFT, FULTON DUMBBELL, RIGHT – 124 lb.
BEARHUG – 215 lb.

FRANK CIAVATTONE,AGE – 70, BWT. – 271 pounds (125 KG Class)
NA
Records:
JEFFERSON LIFT, INDEX FINGERS – 170 lb.
JEFFERSON LIFT, MIDDLE FINGERS – 155 lb.
JEFFERSON LIFT, RING FINGERS – 155 lb.
JEFFERSON LIFT, LITTLE FINGERS – 115 lb.
BENCH PRESS, ALTERNATE GRIP – 125 lb.

NILS LARSON,AGE – 66, BWT. – 238 pounds (110 KG Class)
NA
Records:
BEARHUG – 188 lb.
DEADLIFT, FULTON DUMBBELL, LEFT – 124 lb.
DEADLIFT, FULTON DUMBBELL, RIGHT – 124 lb.
CLEAN & SEATED PRESS – 110 lb.
CLEAN & SEATED PRESS, 2 DUMBBELLS – 100 lb.

WADE MARCHAND,AGE – 56, BWT. – 165 pounds (75 KG Class)
NA
Records:
CLEAN & PUSH PRESS, DUMBBELLS – 100 lb.
CLEAN & SEATED PRESS – 106 lb.
BEARHUG – 188 lb.
DEADLIFT, FULTON DUMBBELL, LEFT – 115 lb.
DEADLIFT, FULTON DUMBBELL, RIGHT – 120 lb.

Officials: Jessica Hopps, Dan Jones, Frank Ciavattone, Nils Larson, Wade Marchand

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.

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.

Results from the 2025 Hermann Goerner Deadlift Dozen +1

A mere one month after putting their fingers through the Two Fisted Challenge, 14 lifters from four clubs decided to put their hands through the wringer again! This includes four women and 10 men from Clark’s Gym (7), Frank’s Gym (5), Habecker’s Gym (1), and Dino Gym (1) that competed in this years event.

On the women’s side, the competition was strong and every female tied or broke records in 9 events or more. Lisa Gore edged RJ Jackson by 22 points. Lisa Gore lifted more than one ton, setting 10 new standards at age and weight. RJ Jackson set 12 new records with a second place finish. Jessica Hopps finished third with 8 new records, including a sweep of all four fingers, and Allison Lupo was not far behind setting 8 new records as well. Allison was the only returning lifter and improved over last year by hoisting nearly 25% more weight. The women certainly excelled.

The men’s side was equally tough, and featured three returning lifters (Jeff Wenzel, Toby Ortega, and Tony Lupo). Jeff Wenzel (Clark’s), Dan Jones (Frank’s), and Toby Ortega (Clark’s) took the top three spots. Jeff not only took the title this year, but improved in weight lifted by close to 15%! Toby was up by about 2% in total weight over last year as well, but he set 8 records. Dan Jones set 6 new records and along with Toby set all four records in the finger deadlifts. After the top three, there was a lot of great lifting as Wade Marchand took fourth (including big numbers in the index and middle fingers), and Frank Ciavattone took fifth at the young age of 70. Among the men, Frank showed the field how to get it done by setting the most records at 10 and was in a virtual tie with Tony Lupo for third in raw weight. Riley Wenzel finished sixth, but showed some real moxie by getting a field-best 360 lb Hack Lift and a top three Heels Together DL. Tony Lupo finished seventh lifting 3% more weight than one year ago. Nils Larson set 8 new records, and along with Dan Jones was over 300 lb in the Reeves Lift! Nils L and Tony L swept through the finger lifts with new records as well. Jerome Licini entered the field as the newest lifter and made a respectable showing in a long event filled with grizzled veterans. He put up some good numbers in the Jefferson and Heels together DLs. Check out the record day lifts as well. There was a lot of additional strong lifts! Note: Jeff Wenzel’s Reeves Deadlift was 287 not 237. It was an age / weight record.

2025 Hermann Goerner Deadlift Dozen +1 ResultsDownload

2025 IAWA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – BELFAST

Ruby, Beata, Emily , Dolores, Chloe, Natalie and Amy

Steve, Denny, Sam, Stanley, David, Brandon, George, Leo and Paul

Joshua, Mark, Sanjiv, Steve, Paul, Matt

Overall Podium: Chloe, Mark and Josh

155kg Straddle Deadlift

I was very fortunate to be able to go to Belfast, NI for the 2025 IAWA World Championship.  22 athletes from the USA, England and Northern Ireland converged on the Resurgence Training Facility in Lurgan for 2 days of competition.  Stevie Shanks was an amazing host and everything ran smoothly.   Several folks had travel woes with Storm Amy (an extratropical cyclone) impacting ferry service, flights and even rail service.  Everybody eventually made it to the venue on time to weigh-in and lift.

Lifting started at 10:00 AM both days and was wrapped up at 4:30 PM Day One and 3:00 PM Day Two.  This was accomplished by Steve Gardner announcing, Paul Barette keeping score, Simon Truesdale and Michael Wilson loading and everybody helping with officiating.  The meet was organized into (3) flights with women in the first flight, up to 90kg men in the second flight and 95kg and up men in the third flight.

Day 1 featured the One Hand Clean & Jerk; Clean & Push Press; Pullover and Press; and the Straddle Deadlift.  There were several impressive lifts.  The following are the top lifts for the day

  • Chloe Brennan – 47.5kg Right Hand Clean & Jerk
  • Matt Jones and Joshua Davidson – 65kg Right Hand Clean & Jerk
  • Chloe Brennan – 80kg Clean & Push Press
  • Mark Haydock – 105kg Clean & Push Press
  • Chloe Brennan – 75kg Pullover & Press
  • Mark Haydock – 135kg Pullover & Press
  • Chloe Brennan – 175kg Straddle Deadlift
  • Mark Haydock – 260 kg Straddle Deadlift

Day 2 featured the Continental Snatch; Vertical Bar Lift – 2” Rod; Zercher.    The following are the top lifts for the day

  • Chloe Brennan – 70.5kg Continental Snatch
  • Joshua Davidson – 85kg Continental Snatch
  • Dolores McGuckin – 70kg Vertical Bar Lift – 2” Rod
  • Stanley Hamilton – 125kg Vertical Bar Lift – 2” Rod
  • Chloe Brenna – 150kg Zercher
  • Joshua Davidson – 192.5kg Zercher

Chloe is the defending IAWA World Champion.  Dolores is new to all-round weightlifting but put in an amazing performance.  Mark is a long-time competitor and has dominated the master’s men in international competition.  Joshua is an open lifter who takes technical expertise to the next level.  Stanley is a relative newcomer to all-round but has competed in grip sport and likely has the strongest grip in Ireland.

Stevie Shanks did a record day lift setting the All-Time record for any age or weight class in the 2 x 1” vertical bar lift.  I think the support of his family helped a lot.  His Mother, Father and brother were in attendance.  His Father, Jack Shanks, was the first person since Donald Dinnie to lift the Dinnie stones.  Mark Haydock became the most recent hoisting them on Monday following the competition.

Dolores and June did a record day lift setting a record in the Team Deadlift.

Personally, I went 19 for 21 with (4) personal records.  I was most proud of my 155kg Straddle Deadlift.

Top 5, Award Winners and USA Athletes:

  • 1st – Chloe Brennan – Overall and Top Open Women
  • 2nd – Mark Haydock – Top Masters Men
  • 3rd – Joshua Davidson – Top Open Men
  • 4th – Steve Sherwood
  • 5th – Dolores McGuckin – Top Masters Women
  • 10th – Emily Haydock – Top Junior Women
  • 13th – Leo Moss – Top Junior Men
  • 15th – Denny Habecker (top USA finisher)
  • 17th – Sanjiv Gupta

Travel to Lurgan was a little tricky, fortunately my wife joined me for the trip.  We flew from Denver to Detroit (2 hours) and then Detroit to Dublin (6 hours).  From Dublin we rented a car and drove on the left-hand side of the road to Lurgan (2 hours).  The facilities and staff at the Ashburn hotel were very nice. 

The awards banquet was held at the Courthouse Bar which offered excellent food served by an amazing staff.  Stevie invited a friend of his to perform and she had an amazing voice to go along with her guitar playing.

Ireland and Northern Ireland offered some great site-seeing.  We visited Trinity College in Dublin, Great Causeway in Northern Ireland and my wife took in Belfast during day one of competition.  I enjoyed the food and the people were really friendly.  The area has a rich history with castles and vistas.  There has also been political strife which is still evident if you know what to look for.  Fortunately, all-round weightlifting is kind of like the Olympics where everybody can come together to celebrate sport.

On the way home, I heard the unfortunate news that Stevie Shanks suffered a heart attack following the banquet.  He was rushed to the hospital and a stent was put in.  He was allowed visitors, is recovering well and looking forward to training and competing soon.

2025 World Champs 4th & 5th October Lurgan NIDownload
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