USAWA

The Steve Schmidt Backbreaker Pentathon was held on December 6 – 7 at Clark’s Gym in Columbia, MO and remotely. This event has been held annually for over 30 years, and the name was inspired by the legendary Steve Schmidt, whose records in many of these lifts may never be broken.

This year we had entrants from two clubs outside of Columbia, Frank’s Barbell Club, and High Country Vigour. The competition was as spirited as the time of year, which is to say it was fervent and the results were close. In the Women’s Division, all three competitors totaled close to, or over, 2000 lbs in raw weight. When age and weight were considered Lisa Gore held on by 18 points to win the 2025 Women’s Division. Lisa Gore also set age and weight, and All records in each event. Janet Thompson finished second, getting records in two events and tying personal bests in two other events. Allison Lupo set four records as well. Some impressive individual performances can be acknowledged. Lisa Gore’s 1006 lbs in the Back Lift was 5^th best in the USAWA Women’s Division. Allison Lupo’s 700 lb was commendable nearly doubling her previous best. Janet Thompson was the top competitor in the Neck Lift, and all three women lifted 600 or more pounds on the Harness Lift.

The men’s competition was close as well as Dan Jones lifted 216 lbs (only 3%) more than teammate Nils Larson in raw weight. But when age and weight were accounted, Nils Larson is the 2025 Men’s Division Champion and the only lifter to break the 6800-point level! Not only that, Nils set four age and weight records including an impressive 610 lb Neck Lift. Dan Jones finished second but also set two records. His Hand and Thigh lift of 1050 lb was best in the Men’s Division. At third and fourth place, Jeff Wenzel was the third competitor to lift more than 6000 lbs in raw weight, and Frank Ciavattone lifted more than 5500 lbs as well. However, with age and weight figured in, Frank Ciavattone finishes third, and his efforts were rewarded with four age and weight records missing the fifth by a mere 11 lb! This included a second best 380 lb Neck Lift. Thus, Frank’s Gym garnered the top three places among the men. Jeff Wenzel finished fourth, but put up some big numbers including the top Back Lift at 1855 lbs, and second in both the Harness Lift and Hand and Thigh lifts. Team Clark also featured David DeForest and Tony Lupo finishing fifth and sixth. Dave DeForest set two records, one being a second best 380 lb in the Neck Lift. Tony Lupo set two records this year, getting or tying personal bests in all but one lift. Wade Marchand finished seventh as he could not do the Neck Lift, but he still was impressive in setting three records! High Country Vigour’s Sanjiv Gupta contributed as well in spite of the lack of proper equipment, but he showed his mettle in the record day lifts with two different thumbless deadlifts at 300 lbs. These were among the most impressive record day efforts. Well done everyone!