Grip Championships
By Al Myers
MEET RESULTS –
2023 USAWA GRIP CHAMPIONSHIPS
Group picture from the 2023 USAWA Grip Championships
It was a great weekend for the USAWA Grip Championships!!
Kevin Fulton back in action lifting the 1″ vertical bar
Four brave grip lifters made an appearance. The legendary gripster Kevin Fulton made his return to USAWA competition in this event. It was definitely the highlight of the meet. Many years ago Kevin would promote the “super grip” competition at his gym which inspired me to start promoting the USAWA Grip Championships, so having him in attendance was a special treat. Kevin still has that strong grip and he didn’t miss a single lift because his grip failed.
Our president Denny Habecker made the trip again this year to attend the meet. Denny has competed in several of the USAWA Grip Championships.
Lance Foster had just been to the Dino Gym for the Dino Challenge and he had so much fun he came back for the Grip Champs!
LaVerne Myers was the overall champion of the day. This makes it his SIXTH time winning the overall – the most ever in Grip Championship history
Meet Results:
2023 Grip Championships
Saturday, February 11th
Dino Gym, Abilene, Kansas
Meet Director: Al Myers
Meet Official (1 official system used): Al Myers
Lifts: Strict Pinch Grip, Vertical Bar Deadlift 1 bar 1″ one hand, Deadlift Fingers Index, Deadlift Fulton Bar Ciavattone Grip, Rim Lift
MENS DIVISION
| Lifter | Age | BWT | Pin | VB | DLIF | DLFB | Rim | TOT | PTS |
| LaVerne Myers | 78 | 220 | 107 | 145R | 160 | 231 | 275 | 918 | 1182.0 |
| Denny Habecker | 80 | 183 | 78 | 105R | 100 | 198 | 195 | 676 | 988.9 |
| Kevin Fulton | 63 | 313 | 127 | 205R | 160 | 220 | 245 | 957 | 843.6 |
| Lance Foster | 57 | 256 | 112 | 170R | 170 | 176 | 215 | 843 | 779.1 |
EXTRA FOR RECORDS:
Lance Foster Strict Pinch Grip 117#
Kevin Fulton Strict Pinch Grip 137#
Denny Habecker VB DL 1 bar 1″ 115#
Denny Habecker Index Fingers DL 110#
Kevin Fulton DL FB, CG 242#
All lifts recorded in pounds. BWT is bodyweight in pounds. R and L designate right and left hands. TOT is total pounds lifted. PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight.
RECORD DAY LIFTS – 2 officials were used on each lift (Al Myers, LaVerne Myers, Denny Habecker)
Al Myers – 56 years old, 229# BWT
Rim Lift 325#
Bench Press Hands Together 190#
Foot Press 1050#
Bearhug 235#
Holdout Raised 50#
LaVerne Myers – 78 years old, 220# BWT
Curl Cheat Reverse Grip 80#
Curl Cheat 101#
Continental to Belt 155#
BearHug 185#
Hack Lift Left Arm 125#
Denny Habecker – 80 years old, 186# BWT
Curl Cheat Reverse Grip 80#
Bench Press Feet in Air 140#
Dumbbell Press Right Arm 45#
Hack Lift Right Arm 135#
Jefferson Lift 220#