Tag Archives: Frank Ciavattone

2026 USAWA AWARD WINNERS: COURAGE (Men)

There are powerful figures in the comics and movies, like Superman, Hulk, etc.. But, when I think of real-life powerful human beings, I think of Frank Ciavattone – this year’s USAWA Courage Award Winner. First, friend him on Facebook, you’ll see some amazing pictures of his physical power over the years. One of my favorites (below – from 1993) is Frank looking like he’s going to sink a 253 pound marble stone for a lay-up. Google his name, and you will find details for amazing feats of strength. For example, he is the first American to lift the Dinnie Stones and was inducted into Massachusetts Hall of Fame for wrestling. He is also in the USAWA Hall of Fame and now ranks 3rd all-time with more than 450 records. Frank may be known for his physical toughness, but you will find he is a person who displays toughness of character and spirit. This year has been particularly difficult for him – in a way that would knock down most people. In the past, he battled and survived some serious health issues. Through it all he maintains a kind and positive demeanor. This is another and more important reason to friend him as he is always posting words of wisdom, strength, and inspiration. He is loved by his family and friends. By day, Frank has his own business as a heavy equipment operator. He wrote a book about the difficulty of keeping Boston operating and then opening it up after the Blizzard of 1978. He founded and leads Frank’s Barbell Club in Walpole, MA – which is a group that is more like a family. But, even more important to him, you will find words like kindness, character, and generosity used to describe his personality. He is a true gentleman. Congratulations to one of the living legends in the USAWA as the 2026 Courage Award Winner!  

 

2025 Award Winners: Courage Award Runner-Up and Lifter of the Month August 2025

If you google the name, Frank Ciavattone, you will find details for amazing feats of strength. For example, he is the first American to lift the Dinnie Stones and was inducted into Massachusetts Hall of Fame for wrestling. He is also in the USAWA Hall of Fame and ranks 5th all time with more than 360 records. Known for his toughness he’s battled and survived some serious health issues in the past. He founded and leads Frank’s Barbell Club in Walpole, MA. But, even more important to him, you will find words like kindness, character and generosity used to describe his personality. The 2025 USAWA Courage Award Runner-up and August 2025 USAWA Lifter of the Month is a true gentleman. He led a group of lifters from his gym to come and compete at the 2025 Nationals. He also competed side-by-side with the team in spite of quietly battling cancer. Congratulations to one of the living legends in the USAWA!  

2006 Nationals

Here is the next installment of past nationals in an effort to preserve a more complete history. This one is from 2006.  They are all transcribed from the “Strength Journal” by Bill Clark.  This was an idea of Frank Ciavattone’s and was presented at the national meeting.  Enjoy a little piece of history:

2006-Nationals

Century Club

By Eric Todd

 

With the most recent update to the record list by our new records director, John Strangeway, I thought it would be a good opportunity to update our century club.  There was no movement whatsoever in the women’s list.  Though the number of records changed somewhat in the men’s list, the top 12 stayed in the exact same order as they were in the last update in January of 2020.  I was able to jump from number 15 to number 13 by adding 20 records.  The biggest leap was John Strangeway going from 22nd to 16th by adding 36 records to the list.  Aiden Habecker jumped a few spots from 28th to a three way tie at 24.  Aiden added 13 to his total.  Jeff Ciavattone made the jump from 27th to the three way tie at 24th by adding 12 records to his total. (Aiden and Jeff share 24th place on our list with Bob Geib).  One thing of note is that big Frank made it to three centuries for this update.  The biggest news is that we have a new member of the century club with this update.  Abe Smith, of Clark’s Gym in Missouri, has achieved century club status after a couple of decades of record setting.  Abe comes in with 108 record. If you think you should be listed as a member of the Century Club, or if you think you are getting close and would like for me to keep an eye on when you might be joining us, please reach out to me.  My email address is SalGuimino@yahoo.com.

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