Tag Archives: Lifter of the Month

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, OCTOBER 2025, DENNY HABECKER

October featured the IAWA World Championship, Q3 Postal Results and the Herman Goerner Deadlift Dozen.  Denny Habecker earned lifter of the month with his massive 105kg Straddle Deadlift in the IAWA World Championship.  Combined with impressive lifts across the board, Denny was the top USA finisher and 15th overall.

Denny is a 1997 Hall of Fame inductee and this is his 6th time being recognized as lifter of the month.  He had been the long running president of the USAWA and is on the IAWA Technical Committee and serves as USA Vice President to the IAWA.  He stands alone with over 600 records set in the 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 age groups including 17 ALL age class records and 23 NAT records.  He is a regular on the United States and International circuit and a gentleman on and off the platform.

He has been promoting the Postal league, Memorial Record Day and President’s Cup.  In 2026 he will be promoting the IAWA World Championship.

Congratulations Denny!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as a future Lifter of the Month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at sanjiv_gupta@hotmail.com

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER 2025, CHAD ULLOM

September was an exciting month with the Andy Goddard Memorial World Postal, Old Time Strongman Championship, Colorado OTSM Classic, One Ton Challenge and the Two-Fisted Challenge.  Chad Ullom earned lifter of the month by winning the Old Time Strongman Championship primarily on the strength of his massive 725-pound Kennedy Lift (a masters and ALL age class record).  Only (5) USAWA athletes have broken 700 pounds on this lift.

Chad is a 2016 Hall of Fame inductee and this is his 7th time being recognized as lifter of the month.  He has been the long running Vice President of the USAWA and Vice President of the IAWA.  He currently holds 347 individual records and 72 team lift records.

Congratulations Chad!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as a future Lifter of the Month? Send nominations to the acting Secretary at sanjiv_gupta@hotmail.com

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!  

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, JULY 2025, NISHA GUPTA

Nisha Gupta of High Country Vigour has earned lifter of the month for July 2025 with an outstanding performance at the 2025 USAWA National Championship on the way to claiming the top overall Junior and 3rd overall among all female lifters. She is pictured below hoisting the mighty Dinnie Bars. At 40kg all of her lifts set not only age group, but also ALL age class and National records.

Nisha’s performance comes on the heels of defending her Stars of Tomorrow title and winning the overall female title in the 2025 Grip Championship.  She is also a Level 1 official and was the side judge for 3 of the 4 lifts at Nationals.  She is well on the way to the Century Club and currently holds 75 USAWA records.

In addition to all-round, Nisha has competed in unsanctioned Powerlifting and GSI Sanctioned Grip Sport. Outside of lifting, Nisha is the Vice President of her High School Class and Varsity tennis player.

Congratulations Nisha!

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, JUNE 2025 – LARRY TRAUB

Larry Traub of Ledaig Heavy Athletics has earned Lifter of the Month with his outstanding 340-pound Reeves Deadlift at the 2025 Ledaig Heavy Athletics Record Day.  At 198-pound bodyweight he also had successful lifts in the 2 Bar Deadlift (370 lb), Bench Press, Feet in Air (235 lb) and Jefferson Deadlift (400 lb).

Larry started all-round weightlifting in 2010 and was awarded Newcomer of the Year.  His accolades also include

  • 2011 Athlete of the Year Runner Up
  • 2011 Overall Men’s Best Lifter at Nationals
  • 2012 Overall Men’s Runner Up at Nationals
  • 2014 Men’s 2nd Place Dino Gym Challenge (which featured a Teeth Lift, Finger Lift – Middle, Kennedy Lift, Harness Lift and Back Lift)

Finally, Larry has written several USAWA website articles and has made a profound impact in his community founding the St Xavier powerlifting program in 1987.

Congratulations Larry!

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