AL MYERS AWARDED LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

Al Myers needs no introduction.  He was the long-term Secretary of the USAWA and was the driving force behind all the wonderful content on the website.  His articles are a constant inspiration to me when I try to type something clever to make sure the USAWA remains a friendly, welcoming organization for strength athletes and fans of historic physical culture.

Al has not been one for self-promotion.  His 2016 induction into the Hall of Fame has no biography.  He was awarded the Ciavattone Award in 2019 without much fanfare.  He was the second winner of the Prechtel Contribution Award in 2016.

Randy Smith made the nomination for a Lifetime Membership by simply stating that “Al put a tremendous amount of time and energy into bettering the USAWA and keeping it going for years.  The large number of excellent articles penned by Al on a regular basis made the website truly awesome.  Plus his incredible support hosting meets, and traveling to run or help run meets that he did not host.  I could go on and on

I do not believe that the USAWA would still be in existence if Al had not put the time and effort into it for the multiple years that he did”

Al holds (537) individual records stretching back to 2002.  He shares (83) team lift records going back to 2007.

Al’s Dino Gym was named after Brooks Kubik’s “Dinosaur Training.”  I had the pleasure of visiting the Dino Gym in 2024 and it is truly an homage to All-Round Weightlifting and physical culture.  You will find York Deep Dish plates, globe dumbbells, a wall of history and countless awards and trophies.  You will also see some amazing self-fabricated pieces as Al’s pursuit of strength would not be held back by the availability of commercial equipment.  The Dino Gym Challenge could be considered a 9th championship.

On the topic of Championships, Al was the long-time host of the Grip Championship and won the event in 2011, 2012 and 2018.  He has also hosted the Team Lift Championship and was on the winning team for 10 consecutive years from 2007-2016.

In addition to announcing and scorekeeping, Al promoted the National Championship in 2021, 2018, 2012, 2009, and 2006.  As an athlete, he won the National Championship (9) times between 2006 and 2019. 

He promoted the Gold Cup in 2016 and earned the Prechtel Award for best lift in 2019, 2015 and 2013.

He promoted the IAWA World Championship in 2019 and 2012, has (12) top ten finishes and was the overall winner in 2006. 

His first USAWA position was as Vice President in 2007 and then Secretary/Treasurer from 2010-2021.  He has been on the IAWA Technical Committee since 2012.  He was the President of the IAWA from 2012 to 2024.

A point of order is that without all of the history and archiving Al performed, none of these accolades could be properly researched.  They would be lost to stories, e-mails and newsletters.  By my estimation, Al has posted 1,603 of 2,638 posts on the website.

This is only the 2nd Lifetime Membership awarded by the USAWA.  The first was to Bill Clark in 2011 as part of a Lifetime Achievement Award.  On behalf of the United States All-Round Weightlifting Association in recognition of his long-term contributions to the organization and guidance through its 35th Anniversary and beyond, we wish to present Al Myers the Lifetime Membership Award on November 1st, 2025.

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.

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, OCTOBER 2025, DENNY HABECKER

October featured the IAWA World Championship, Q3 Postal Results and the Herman Goerner Deadlift Dozen.  Denny Habecker earned lifter of the month with his massive 105kg Straddle Deadlift in the IAWA World Championship.  Combined with impressive lifts across the board, Denny was the top USA finisher and 15th overall.

Denny is a 1997 Hall of Fame inductee and this is his 6th time being recognized as lifter of the month.  He had been the long running president of the USAWA and is on the IAWA Technical Committee and serves as USA Vice President to the IAWA.  He stands alone with over 600 records set in the 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 age groups including 17 ALL age class records and 23 NAT records.  He is a regular on the United States and International circuit and a gentleman on and off the platform.

He has been promoting the Postal league, Memorial Record Day and President’s Cup.  In 2026 he will be promoting the IAWA World Championship.

Congratulations Denny!

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

Gold Cup recap

Gold Cup 2025

By Chad Ullom

The 2025 Gold Cup in Derby, UK was one for the history books! Held at the outstanding University of Derby Sports Centre, the venue proved to be the perfect setting for a day filled with strength, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments.

Flawless Execution and Teamwork

Under the expert leadership of Steve Gardner and his dedicated crew, the meet ran like clockwork. With over 30 lifters competing across three groups on two platforms, the first attempts kicked off promptly at 10 AM and wrapped up by 1 PM—a remarkable feat made possible by the collective effort of lifters, loaders, and judges. Everyone pitched in, and the teamwork on display was nothing short of inspiring.

Personal Highlights and Record-Breaking Lifts

For some reason I chose the Middle Finger Straddle Deadlift and was happy to set a new 105KG record with a 141KG lift. Happily, my fingers came away unscathed 🙂

The day was packed with outstanding performances:

  • Josh Davidson delivered the heaviest Strict Bent Press in IAWA history for his 2nd lift—a flawless and powerful lift that extremely fun to watch! His first lift was a full Gardner that also performed to perfection!
  • Chloe Brennan with a massive 306KG Shanks Lift! So impressive to see how she handles the shanks lift and the Dinnie Stones!
  • Matt Jones and Paul Halum both tackled the Domaal Squat, but Matt stole the show with a standout 70KG lift.
  • John Moss impressed with a Two One-Inch Vertical Bar Lift of 250KG—a phenomenal display of grip strength.
  • Michael Perry, at 60 years old, executed a 70KG Straight Arm Pullover that was simply unbelievable.
  • Two lifters completed 60 reps of Bodyweight Deadlifts, pushing their limits in a truly grueling challenge.
  • In a friendly family rivalry, Al Myers edged out his dad, Laverne, in a 2-Inch Bar Deadlift grudge match, 67.5KG to 65KG. Laverne narrowly missed 70KG on his fourth attempt!

Celebrating Community and Legacy

As always, the highlight for me was reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. These international meets are more than competitions—they’re reunions of a passionate and supportive community. I encourage all USAWA lifters to make the effort to attend an international event. You won’t be disappointed!

Evening Banquet and Special Awards

The day concluded with a wonderful banquet at Poms Restaurant, where every lifter received their Gold Cup. Several special awards were presented:

  • The Karen Gardner Award, created by Frank Ciavattone, honors a female lifter who embodies Karen’s spirit. With an unenviable decision to make, this year, Chloe Brennan was the deserving recipient.
  • The IAWA Commitment Award, presented by Paul Berette, recognized lifters who participated in the IAWA Worlds, Gold Cup, and World Postal. (Steve Gardner will provide a full recap of recipients.)
  • Matt Jones received the Howard Prechtel Award for his outstanding Domaal Squat performance.
  • The evening’s most emotional moment came with the presentations to Al Myers. I had the honor of presenting Al with a Lifetime Membership on behalf of USAWA. Al’s contributions are immeasurable—he updated the USAWA website, rewrote the rulebook, updated the record list, launched the Old Time Strongman division, revamped the officials program, and initiated the awards program. He’s also been a tireless promoter, competitor, and blogger.
  • Immediately following, Al was awarded the IAWA Award of Merit. Al served as IAWA President for 12 years, attending nearly every World Championship and Gold Cup during his tenure. His commitment and humility are truly inspiring.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Gold Cup was a shining example of what makes our sport so special—dedication, sportsmanship, and a deep sense of community. Congratulations to all the lifters, organizers, and supporters who made this event unforgettable.

Thank you, Steve Gardner, and thank you, Al Myers, for your unwavering commitment to the strength community

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