100th Anniversary of Jowett’s World Weightlifting Rules and Records
In honor of the 100th anniversary of George F Jowett’s book the World’s Weightlifting Rules and Records, I wanted to share some of the history of the lifts in the USAWA rulebook and the records that were published back in 1925.
The USAWA Rulebook 13 Edition Preface states “This rulebook was compiled from a variety of sources including past Strength Journals from England, the original IAWA handbook for the 15 International Lifts, The World’s Weightlifting Rules and Records by George Jowett, past monthly Strength Journals published by Bill Clark, and other previously compiled rules and guidelines established by the membership of the USAWA.” So far Jowett’s book is the only original source I have found.
Per Wikipedia, George Jowett was an English-born Canadian strongman, weightlifter, magazine editor and author. He was co-founder of the American Continental Weightlifting Association. He became known as “The Father of American Weightlifting.”
In World’s Weightlifting Rules and Records (WWRR) Jowett listed (41) Title Lifts and an additional (14) Record Lifts. USAWA currently contests (25) of the Title Lifts and (11) of the Record Lifts.
Jowett competed at 168 pounds and his records still eclipse anything in the USAWA record book at 75kg. He had a right hand snatch of 172.5 pounds (vs 110 pounds in our books). He had a right hand clean & jerk of 200 pounds (vs 132 pounds in our books).
Given the upcoming New England Winter Heavy Lift Classic (hand and thigh) and the Colorado Single Arm Challenge (1H Snatch, 1H C&J, 1H DL), I wanted to with the best of luck to the athletes that keep showing up to contest these lifts. Our membership includes lifters that struggle with overhead positions and/or have had joint surgeries, repairs and replacements. Our athlete’s enthusiasm and perseverance is well aligned with the writings of Jowett 100 years ago.
“We want you to help us build this into a national institution for good, and help the national reform laws build up a stronger, healthier nation of men and women.
You do not have to be a weight lifter in order to join. As long as you are interested in physical training, health, food reform, or weight lifting as a sport you are wanted.
Our object is to keep the sport of weight lifting clean, and keep established a record list founded on merit only, and give credit where credit is due”
– Jowett on the American Continental Weight-Lifters Association from 1921
(41) Title Lifts
- 1&2 Right (and Left) Hand Military Press
- 2&3 Right (and Left) Hand Snatch
- 5&6 Right (and Left) Hand Swing
- 7&8 Right (and Left) Hand Continental Press
- 9&10 Right (and Left) Hand Clean & Jerk
- 11&12 Right (and Left) Hand Clean & Bent Press
- 13&14 Right (and Left) Hand Bent Press from Shoulder with Dumbbell
- 15&16 Right (and Left) Hand Anyhow with Bent Press
- 17&18 Right (and Left) Hand Bent Press from Shoulder with Barbell
- 19&20 Right (and Left) Hand Deadlift
- 21&22 Right (and Left) Hand Deadlift – Platform Style
- 23&24 Right (and Left) Hand Clean and Side Press
- 25 Two Hands Clean and Military Press with Dumbbells
- 26 Two Hand Clean and Jerk with Dumbbells
- 27 Two Hands Clean and Continental Press with Dumbbells
- 28 Two Hands Clean and Military Press with Barbell
- 29 Two Hands Clean and Continental Press with Barbell
- 30 Two Hands Snatch
- 31 Two Hands Clean & Jerk – from Behind Neck
- 32 Two Hands Clean & Press – from Behind Neck
- 33 Two Hands Clean & Jerk with Barbell
- 34 Two Hands Continental Jerk with Barbell
- 35 Two Hands Anyhow with Barbell and Kettlebell
- 36 Two Hands Deadlift
- 37 Kennedy Lift
- 38 Jefferson Lift
- 39 Back Lift
- 40 Harness Lift
- 41 Hand & Thigh Lift
(14) Record Lifts
- R1 Abdominal Raise
- R2 Crucifix
- R3 Rectangular Fix
- R4&5 Right (and Left) Hand Slow Curl with Kettlebell or Dumbbell
- R6 Lateral Raise Standing
- R7 Lateral Raise Lying
- R8 Hold out in Front – Raised from Below
- R9 Hold Out in Front – Lowered from Above
- R10 Pullover at Arms Length
- R11 Pull over and Press on Back without Bridge
- R12 Pullover and Press on Back with Shoulder Bridge
- R13 Pullover and Press on Back in Wrestler’s Bridge
- R14 Two Hand Slow Curl
