Shanks Lift

By Al Myers

Stevie Shanks lifting 330 kilograms in the Shanks Lift.

Stevie Shanks lifting 330 kilograms in the Shanks Lift.

At the AGM of IAWA a new official IAWA was accepted by the membership – the Shanks Lift.  This lift was originally proposed last year by Stevie Shanks of Ireland to honor his father, the great Dinnie Stone lifter Jack Shanks.  The IAWA Technical Committee reviewed this lift during this past year, and now, it has become an official lift!

At the Awards banquet following the IAWA World Championships, Stevie became the first IAWA lifter to perform the Shanks Lift.  He lifted an outstanding 330 kilograms!  I was very impressed, considering he did this after two strenuous days of lifting in the World Championships.  I am sure the Shanks Lift will be tried by many IAWA lifters and it will become a very popular lift. The entire crowd who witnessed this first Shanks Lift will never forget watching Stevie hoisting up the weight – as it was a very moving experience.  I will present the official rules on the Shanks Lift very soon in an upcoming blog.