[Al Myers]

The BSAG is another all round weightlifting organization in England besides the IAWA-UK. The BSAG and the IAWAUK are completely separate – just like the many different powerlifting organizations. The BSAG is affiliated with the United States all round weightlifting organization the ASAG (American Strength Athletics Guild), just as the IAWAUK is affiliated with the USAWA.

[Al Myers]

I just heard that news. I hadn’t heard anything from him in the past several years, but I do remember his entertaining training articles in MILO. His articles were always a source of discussion on training nights. I never got to meet him either but he is a part of USAWA history as he competed once several years ago in one of Kevin Fultons meets.

[Al Myers]

As for pictures for the website – PLEASE just send them to me and they will be included in the website with the meet writeups. It’s as simple as that. I’ve always asked for pictures but very rarely get them.

[Al Myers]

haha thats hilarious

[Al Myers]

I’m going to try to get the 2021 Postal Series announced this week on the website. The lifts have been approved by the Executive Board and it looks like an OUTSTANDING lineup of lifts.

[Al Myers]

I am not planning on having the Grip Champs this year, which really disappoints me. Hopefully by March or April we can resume operations in the USAWA. Al

[Al Myers]

Thanks ET for the clarification.

First of all, Abe – sorry that your lift was not allowed. I do agree with you very much that the rules of the All Rounds can be confusing at times. This comp was promoted by the IAWAUK, thus the rule book of the IAWA UK is the one in force (not the USAWA rulebook). I say this because there are still several rule differences in lifts between the two rule books. We have corrected a lot of the issues over the last 10 years, but there are still some there. I’m gonna add the USAWA rule for the bent press:

A7. Bent Press
The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The bar may be taken from the platform to the shoulder in any manner. This may be done with a one arm clean, or with two hands, or stood on end and taken onto the shoulder using one or two hands. The bar will then be gripped in the center by one hand with the bar parallel to the platform. Once the lifter is in a standing position, with the bar held at the shoulder, the body is bent forward and sideways while the bar remains in a stationary position. This bending away is continued until the lifting arm becomes straight. The body will be in a bent over position at this point of the lift. The bar is allowed to rotate in any direction during the lift. The non-lifting arm may rest on the body or legs during the lift. Width of feet placement is optional, but must not move once set. The lifting elbow may be brought into contact with the hip during the lift. Once the bar is locked out and the lifting arm straight, the lifter may stand when ready. The lifter may use the non-lifting arm as support on the knee or thigh. The lifting arm must remain straight once locked out. The lift will end on command from an official when the lifter is upright, the feet parallel and in line with the torso, the non-lifting hand free from the body, and the bar overhead and motionless.

As you can see the starting point is stated as “the shoulder”. When the board reviewed this lift over 10 years ago I remember their being discussion between using the term “clavicle” or the “shoulder” here. I argued for the “shoulder” as technically the clavicle sits slightly lower than the top of the shoulder (or deltoid muscle) and is more easy to visualize and evaluate when judging.

However, as all of you know there are differences in how an official evaluates “the grey areas” in the interpretation of rules. Personally, I would give an inch or so above the shoulder but at ear level would say “too high, no good”.

[Al Myers]

Things with my training haven’t changed much thru all this …. except for the loss of my training partner LaVerne. I hope he’s doing his pushups and situps while confined to house quarantine.

[Al Myers]

Hi Abe! Our postal meets require that a judge officiate – but this judge does not need to be a certified official of the USAWA. However, for records a certified official needs to be the one officiating you but you can still enter and compete without one you just wouldn’t be eligible for records. There are really no rules or stipulations to this judge – it could be someone that is not even familiar with the rules! Our postal meets are intended to get people involved in the USAWA without having to make the big step of going to a meet/competition. It is truly based on the honor system as someone could easily cheat if they wanted to (but that has never happened that I know of). As of now we do not allow video officiating with a remote official.

Our postal meets allow a great opportunity to compete during these trying times as someone could do them at their own home/gym without having to gather together at a meet site. Alot of events are being cancelled in all sports right now and that’s gonna continue for a while yet. Sure hope I answered your question. Al

[Al Myers]

I’m very excited about this years Grip Champs!!! I’m predicting it will be well attended again! Al

[Al Myers]

RJ is well deserving of this! No one has won best lifter in postal meets as many times as her!!!

[Al Myers]

I heard from Dean last week. He’s a great swimmer so we don’t need to worry.

[Al Myers]

ET, two more club members was all you needed!!!

[Al Myers]

I know I have a video somewhere in my collection of the “iron bull”‘s 1000 pound assisted bench. It took him and his three big spotters all they had to get it accomplished! I’m gonna see if I can find that video. It gave me a good laugh at the time.

[Al Myers]

That was a long blog! I applaud anyone who read all of it. It’s surprising how much information there is just doing a short review of each meet. Lance – I have no idea yet on 2020. I start thinking about it a few months before the date and the inspiration always seems to come to me at some point during a workout. Al

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