Neck Lift Showdown!

by Al Myers

Chad Ullom (left) VERSUS Eric Todd (right) in a Neck Lift Challenge! Will one of these SUPERMEN exceed the 1000 pound barrier?

We are in for a SPECIAL TREAT this weekend at the 2012 IAWA World Championships. The two best Neck Lifters in the WORLD have agreed to have a duel – a NECK LIFT SHOWDOWN! Last year at the 2011 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in York, PA, Chad Ullom became the first man to exceed 900 pounds in the Neck Lift with a lift of 900.  Then this year at the USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in Bowling Green, OH  Eric “ET” Todd broke Chad’s record with a outstanding 905 pound effort.  However, ET’s record didn’t last long, as Chad upped it to 915 pounds at a record day in the Dino Gym this summer.  Well, that didn’t set well with Eric so this challenge was issued! (ok…in reality I set it all up, but it sounds better this way!!!!).  Both of these guys are “on the hunt” to be the first man to break the magical 1000 pound barrier.  Maybe this challenge on this big International stage will bring it out in them?  This will be a good ole’ fashioned ONE ON ONE DUEL, reminiscent of past circus shows between strongmen. 

The greatest Neck Lifter in HISTORY Frank Ciavattone will be on hand to be the head official for this duel.  Frank holds the Guinness WORLD RECORD in the Neck Lift at 808# under the strict judging criteria of Guinness.  This is the link to Frank’s Guinness World Record:  http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-4000/heaviest-weight-lifted-by-neck/ .  This battle will occur right after the finish of Sunday’s competition, while the meets scores are being tabulated. It is something that you will NOT WANT TO MISS!!

Steinborn (Steinborn Lift)

by Al Myers

STEINBORN LIFT

The “finale lift” on DAY ONE  of the IAWA World Championships is the Steinborn Lift.  The Steinborn Lift has a long standing history as a competitive lift with the IAWA.  It has been often contested at World Championships.  It is the TRUE ALL ROUND version of the squat.  But instead of taking the bar from squat stands, you load the bar onto the shoulders from the platform!  Once in that position, the rules of the squat apply until it is time to replace the bar to the floor – and that must be done in exactly the reverse order of the way you loaded it to the shoulders in the first place! It is a very challenging event.  Often for most lifters the “test” of it depends on what can be loaded onto the shoulders – NOT the squat portion.  I know that is the way it has always been for myself.  I have always been able to squat easily with whatever weight I could get from the platform to my shoulders.

The IAWA Rules for the Steinborn Lift is:

E9. STEINBORN LIFT

The rules of performance for the squat apply, except that the lifter has to take the bar from the floor to the shoulders, using a series of movements to get the bar in position, and be ready to receive the signal to squat. Following the completion of the squat and receiving the referees signal to replace the bar, the lifter must again use a series of movements to take the bar back to the lifting surface, under control. To get the bar to the shoulders the lifter will stand the bar on end  and move into a position against the bar so that the bar can fall or be rocked onto the shoulders. The bar can be brought onto one shoulder if desired, but must then be pivoted around and into position across the shoulders at the back of the neck. An aide can assist the lifter by placing a foot against the bottom of the up – ended bar to stop it sliding, both before and after the squat lift.

Causes for Failure:
1. The causes for failure are the same as for the squat once the bar has been received at the shoulders.
2. Failure to replace the bar to the platform in the same manner it was lifted, and under control.

A question on the USAWA Discussion Forum  arose whether spotters could be allowed on the platform while the Steinborn is being executed.  Apparently sometime in the past history of the IAWA this was not allowed.  However, now that is not a violation.  The Steinborn is like any other lift – and the use of spotters is allowed.  But just like any lift, if the spotters assist in any way the lift is not a good lift (except for the assistant which provides the foot to prevent the bar from sliding).   It is a debatable point if using spotters help with safety.  I actually prefer not to have spotters when I’m doing a Steinborn.  Timing and technique has to be perfect  to perform a Steinborn, and it is very easy for the “bar to get away from you”.  If this happens, I would prefer to be able to “dump it” without risking injury to any spotters trying to assist me.  I have seen injuries happen to spotters before with the Steinborn.

Past Worlds Best Lifters

by Al Myers

Last week Andy Tomlin posed this question on the IAWA Facebook Page, “Does anyone have a list of the past Best Lifters at each World Championships?”  I thought this was an EXCELLENT QUESTION considering the upcoming World Championships next weekend.  Of course I knew the answer to this question (all TOP TEN Best Lifters at each World Championships are listed in the history section on this website), but I didn’t answer as to see if anyone else knew the answer.  Then our IAWA President Steve Gardner not ONLY responded with the answer, but provided lots of other information regarding past World Championships!  Steve provided a listing which included past best lifters, as well as the year of the meet, location, meet promoter, and the number of entrants.  Here it is:

YEAR LOCATION PROMOTER BEST LIFTER #
1988  Leicester, England  Frank Allen  Adrian Blindt, ENG  39
1989  Philadelphia, USA  John Vernacchio  Steve Schmidt, USA  46
1990  Glasgow, Scotland  William Wright  Rick Meldon, ENG  28
1991  Philadelphia, USA  John Vernacchio  Adrian Blindt, ENG  51
1992  London, England  Ken Edge  Rick Meldon, ENG  36
1993  Boston, USA  Frank Ciavattone  Frank Allen, ENG  45
1994  Burton, England  Steve Gardner  Frank Allen, ENG  36
1995  Cleveland, USA  Howard Prechtel  Bob Hirsh, USA  42
1996  Glasgow, Scotland  William Wright  Steve Angell, ENG  38
1997  Philadelphia, USA  John Vernacchio  Bob Hirsh, USA  47
1998  Leicester, England  Frank Allen  Keith Murdie, ENG  34
1999  Perth, Australia  Frank Lamp  Mike Archer, ENG  32
2000  Boston, USA  Frank Ciavattone  Steve Angell, ENG  51
2001  Glasgow, Scotland  William Wright  Steve Angell, ENG  29
2002  Lebanon, USA  Denny Habecker  Ed Schock, USA  41
2003  Perth, Australia  Frank Lamp  Bill Kappel, AUS  34
2004  Burton, England  Steve Gardner  Rick Meldon, ENG  42
2005  Lebanon, USA  Denny Habecker  Ed Schock, USA  34
2006  Glasgow, Scotland  George Dick  Al Myers, USA  34
2007  Christchurch, New Zealand  Bruce Savage  Peter Phillips, AUS  18
2008  Tamworth, England  Steve Gardner  Rick Meldon, ENG  36
2009  Lebanon, USA  Denny Habecker  Mark Haydock, ENG  16
2010  Glasgow, Scotland George Dick   Chad Ullom, USA  29
2011  Perth, Australia  Peter Phillips  Steve Sherwood, ENG  22

Pullover and Press on Floor (Pullover and Press)

by Al Myers

Pullover and Press

The Pullover and Press is the “original” chest press with a bar.  In the days before there were benches to lie on, if you wanted to chest press a weight you had to lay on the floor to do it.  Thus, the exercise FLOOR PRESS got its name.   The funny thing is that now Floor Presses are making a comeback in the weight game, and more lifters are including them in their training programs.  I’m sure the oldtimers who remember getting that first bench in their gym to lay on while chest  pressing are shaking their heads in disbelief!  I’m sure they felt at the time like a big advancement had been made when getting that bench. No more getting down on the dirty floor to lift. Nice supports to hold the bar in place.   Now with the comeback of the Floor Press it seems like a “step backwards!”  Sorta like me wanting to go back to a flip-phone. But I digress.  The topic of today is the Pullover and Press.  That’s a Floor Press with the pullover added to get the bar to the chest.  This lift even predates the Floor Press.  This was done before lifters even had boxes to rest the plates on so they could crawl under the bar to press it.  With the Pullover and Press, the bar & plates start on the platform and the lift ends when the bar and plates are back on the platform.  A true original All Round Lift!!!

The IAWA Rules for this lift are:

B41     PULLOVER AND FLOOR PRESS

The rules for the pullover are the same as for the pullover and push (B43), except that the legs must stay flat, and must not be moved during the pullover so as to gain assistance. The lifter can choose the width of the legs position, but once elected they must remain in that position. With the bar at fore arms  length and the elbows on the floor, the lifter must await the referees signal to press. The bar is pressed to arms length as per the bench press, and on completion the official will signal for the bar to be returned to the lifting surface. Note: when the lifter has pulled the bar over, movement of the upper arms is allowed whilst the lifter finds a better / stronger position, prior to the press.

Causes for Failure:

1. Failure to keep the legs flat and motionless during the lift.
2.  All other causes for failure are the same as for the pullover and push

Now I know you are probably wondering why the IAWA name for this lift is different in the blog title than the rule description?  Well, if you didn’t –  I did.   That’s just the way it is in the IAWA Rulebook.  The name of this lift in the outline in the front on the IAWA Rulebook calls this lift the PULLOVER AND PRESS ON FLOOR, while deeper in the IAWA Rulebook where the rule is written, this lift is called the PULLOVER AND FLOOR PRESS.  Not a big deal – but with as many all-round lifts that there are  this just adds to the confusion.  You would think the name of a lift would be consistent in the same Rulebook!  The USAWA Rulebook calls this lift just the PULLOVER AND PRESS, but the good news here is that the content of the USAWA Rules and IAWA Rules are the same!!

Worlds – ONE WEEK AWAY!

by Al Myers

The 2012 IAWA World Championships is ONE WEEK AWAY!   Chad and I are in the final stages of having everything ready – just the “small stuff” now to take care of.  The list of registered competitors is set.  This is the 25 lifters who are entered:

Art Montini USA  Dawn Piper USA  Susan Sees USA
George Dick SCOTLAND  Dennis Mitchell USA  Dave Glasgow USA
Frank Allen ENGLAND  Ruth Jackson USA  Doug Kressly USA
Sam Trews AUSTRALIA  Al Springs USA  Jera Kressly USA
John Mahon AUSTRALIA  Denny Habecker USA  Randy Smith USA
 Chad Ullom USA  LaVerne Myers USA  
 Lance Foster USA  Rudy Bletscher USA  
 Paula De La Mata ENGLAND  Frank Ciavattone USA  
 Graham Saxton ENGLAND  Dan Wagman USA  
 Tim Piper USA  Bob Geib USA  

Yesterday I went to pick up the awards and t-shirts from the “trophy shop”.   I think everyone will be very pleased with both!  The trophies are as nice as I’ve ever received in a competition, as they should be since this is a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.  I want to emphasize that every weight class within age groupings will be represented.  After all, this is the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!   I plan to award certificates for the Best Lifter awards.  I also made up something “special” for all competitors.  I don’t want to reveal what this is yet, so it will be a surprise.  But it is something that you will keep and cherish as it represents the 25th Anniversary of the International All-Round Weightlifting Association.

As stated on the entry forms, this Championship will be held at the Dino Strength Training Center in Salina, Kansas.  The address is 742 Duvall Avenue. It is easy to find.  There is plenty of parking at the gym.  The General IAWA World Meeting will be held Friday night at 7:30 in the gym for those wanting to attend.  I will be in the gym most of Friday afternoon doing the final meet setup so if you get in town early please stop by (but if you do I will probably get you to help with the setup!).  IAWA President Steve Gardner will organize and preside over the meeting.

Weighins will be from 8-9 AM on Saturday.   This first-day weighin determines your weight class for the entire weekend.  You must also weigh in Sunday morning if you want to be eligible to set records on Sunday.  If you are not interested in this, you do not need to weigh in on Sunday.  At 9 Am we will have the opening ceremony and lifter introductions.  Immediately following this the meet will start.  The meet will be ran in a 2-session 1-platform format.  The two sessions will be divided this way – women and older men in first session, and younger men in the second session.  Sunday’s lifting will follow the exact way.   Also, since this is an IAWA event IAWA Rules and Scoring will be used.  The IAWA official scorekeeper Chris Bass from England will be in attendance to do the scoring.  IAWA President Steve Gardner will do the announcing. 

Immediately following Sundays lifting, we will have the award ceremony.   After that for anyone interested, we will have a post-meet celebration at my place.  I am calling it that instead of a banquet because this will be an informal affair.  Dress casually and show up ready to have an enjoyable evening.  This will be a good ole fashioned Kansas backyard BBQ, complete with “all-you-can-eat” barbecued meats, potato salad, baked beans and homemade ice cream!!  Refreshments will be there as well, but if you have something special you like to drink I would recommend that you bring it along.  I will have plenty of chairs and tables to sit back and relax, and hopefully will have a nice cool October night as well!  This BBQ is included as part of the “package entry fee” for all lifters, and for anyone else that is attending there will be a donation jar.  I highly recommend that anyone who can attend this evening event to make it, as it will give a time to meet new friends (or catch up with old friends) from overseas.  I will have directions available to my place at the meet for anyone who wants them.

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