IAWA OTSM WORLD POSTAL

Greg Cook performing the Hackenschmidt Floor Press, 2019

The IAWA Old Time Strongman World Postal was conceived by Al Myers and was first promoted in 2018 by Al Myers and John Mahon.  It was a rousing success and was repeated in 2019.

In 2020 and 2021 the event was planned and then scuttled.  I am assuming this was due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Clint Poore picked up the torch in 2023 and the event saw a record number of lifters from around the world.

The event is unique in that rather than competing on your own, there is a host venue in each country.  That way lifters can enjoy some camaraderie but not travel internationally.

The 2025 event is planning on making the event even more accessible with 2 venues in Australia and 2 venues in the United States to get more people involved.

DatePromoterLiftsWomen’s WinnerMen’s Winner
2018, July 14Al Myers/John MahonAnderson Squat, Cyr Press, Peoples DeadliftKat Becker (AUS)Phillippe Crisp (ENG)
2019, July 21Al Myers/John MahonThor’s Hammer, Hackenschmidt Floor Press, Kennedy LiftSylvia Stockall (CAN)Greg Cook (USA)
2020canceledCyr Press, Habecker Lift, Goerner StrollNANA
2021canceledCyr Press, Habecker Lift, Goerner StrollNANA
2022NANANANA
2023, Dec 9Clint PooreHackenschmidt Floor Press, Dinnie Lift, DB to ShoulderWendy Gardner (USA)Mark Haydock (UK)
2024, Dec 7Clint PooreHackenchmidt Floor Press, Dinnie Lift, OH Inch DumbbellEmily Haydock (UK)Mark Haydock (UK)
2025, Dec 13Steve GardnerHackenschmidt Floor Press, Peoples Deadlift, DB to Shoulder??

USAWA Business

With the resignation of Jessica Hopps (Secretary) and Kyle Frappier (At-Large) announced on Facebook, the remaining board of Joe Garcia, Sanjiv Gupta and Bill Clark have appointed Eric Todd to the board as an At-Large member. Welcome back Eric.

Sanjiv Gupta has assumed the responsibilities of USAWA Secretary.

The executive board is seeking applicants for an At-Large board member. Interested members are to submit a letter of interest with qualifications to sanjiv_gupta@hotmail.com by November 14th.

ARTICLE 12 – DUTIES OF THE AT LARGE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
A. Attend the National Meeting and meetings of the executive board.
B. Represent the USAWA at meetings of the IAWA.
C. Serve on the executive board.

The executive board is seeking bids for the 2026 National Championship. Interested members are to submit bids to sanjiv_gupta@hotmail.com by November 14.

X. National Championships Guidelines
2. … Included in the bid must be details of the proposed meet location, an approximate date of the meet, and any other details that may seem pertinent to the membership by the person making the bid.

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER 2025, CHAD ULLOM

September was an exciting month with the Andy Goddard Memorial World Postal, Old Time Strongman Championship, Colorado OTSM Classic, One Ton Challenge and the Two-Fisted Challenge.  Chad Ullom earned lifter of the month by winning the Old Time Strongman Championship primarily on the strength of his massive 725-pound Kennedy Lift (a masters and ALL age class record).  Only (5) USAWA athletes have broken 700 pounds on this lift.

Chad is a 2016 Hall of Fame inductee and this is his 7th time being recognized as lifter of the month.  He has been the long running Vice President of the USAWA and Vice President of the IAWA.  He currently holds 347 individual records and 72 team lift records.

Congratulations Chad!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as a future Lifter of the Month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at sanjiv_gupta@hotmail.com

Century Club Updated

The Record sheets will be updated when the quarterlies are ready. This will include the OTSMs in Colorado and Missouri as well as the One Ton Challenge and Two Fisted Challenge. All these records are added in. The Century Club lists are updated! Welcome and Congratulations to Jessica Hopps and Wade Marchand – they are now in the Century Club. There were some big movers on the women’s side. Lisa Gore added 65 new records as she moved into a new age class. She moves up to #2 all time among female lifters. On the men’s side Jeff Wenzel added 48 new standards to move up to 13th all-time. Sanjiv Gupta moved up 16 places with a big quarter and Frank Ciavattone moves into 4th all time. Since the Untied States is turning 250 this year, the record lists have a new feature. All those with more than 250 records are bolded and belong to the new USAWA250 Club level. On the women’s side – the top three are bolded. On the men’s side, it’s the top 15. Also, I have a new team record table. For those who may have been a member of more than one team, there is the top 10 individual team record holders table now. Enjoy! If there is any stat or table that you as a lifter would like to see, let me know.

2025 Two-Fisted Challenge II – Results and Record Day

The 2nd Two Fisted Challenge, held 27 – 28 September, featured a lot of big lifts, new champions, new contestants, and a lot of skinned fingers! This year we had entries from three gyms across the USAWA. On the Women’s side, Janet Thompson entered the fray and won the title for 2025. Mary McConnaughey finished third in her first year, and lifted the most in raw weight. Lisa Gore finished second while lifting about 25% more than last year. Only Allison Lupo had a larger improvement – up 50% from a year ago.

On the men’s side, Jeff Wenzel ran away from the field tallying nearly a ton after putting up over a ton in the One Ton Meet. Not only that, but he improved about 35% over last year. Abe Smith was the runner-up in raw weight, while Tony Lupo and Riley Wenzel battled for third place. The former lifted more in raw totals but the latter took third after Lynch and Age were considered. Riley was quite impressive in his first entry into this meet, breaking or establishing 11 records in 14 events. Abe and Tony were both up about 15% over last year as well. Three entered from high Country Vigour in 2025, and this year Jarrod Fobes got to compete injury free. He was strong enough to place 5th overall in raw weight, and not much separated him from 3rd. Sanjiv Gupta returned to the mix, and Elijah Conley got a few lifts in for his first competition, hitting age-weight records in all four events attempted. Sanjiv hit age-weight marks in 12 of 14 lifts which was 2nd on the men’s side. Only Logan Wenzel did better establishing all 14 age-weight records and finishing 5th overall at only age 10. We were also glad to have Jerome Licini enter the mix from Habecker’s Gym in Lebanon Valle, PA. He made a good strong entrance into the field, and given this is his rookie year, expect to see big gains next year.

Jeff Wenzel, Sanjiv Gupta, and Lisa Gore put up some strong numbers in their record day lifts. Check it out in the results posted here.

2025 Two Fisted Challenge II ResultsDownload

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