USAWA

by Steve Gardner

Mike Archer

Mike Archer sadly passed away on 27th February after losing his battle with Cancer. Following other medical problems Mike developed Cancer and was told it was terminal. He died surrounded by his family and was not in pain. A true Master of the sport, not many could lift with Mike when he was lifting at his best. A great lifter, coach, referee, IAWA (UK) Committee member and good friend to all who knew him. Mike will be well remembered for his exploits at the Sunbury and Hastings Clubs.

Please see below the reference to Mike which was part of the programme when he was inducted into the IAWA(UK) Hall of Fame in 2003:

Mike has been involved in weightlifting for more than 50 years having his first competition in 1952. A superb Champion among lifters, 70 yrs old Mike has come a long way since starting to train with weights to gain bodyweight and improve his all-round strength and fitness after having been turned down as medically unfit for compulsory National Service. A tremendous servant to IAWA (UK) as Technical Committee Officer, Mike has also won several National and World titles, listing his proudest moment as winning the ‘Overall Best Master Lifter’ title at the 1996 IAWA Worlds.

by Al Myers

The late great Mike Archer, performing at the Granby Halls over 25 years ago, Mike was a formidable competitor! (photo and caption courtesy of Steve Gardner)

Word has come to me from Steve Gardner that the great English lifter Mike Archer has recently passed away after battling a long illness.  Mike was very involved with the IAWA during the early formative years of our organization.  The past 10 years his involvement has been limited due to his declining health, but his love for all round weightlifting remained.

Mike Archer was involved in all aspects of the organization – lifter, promoter, official and officer.  He was the IAWA(UK) Vice President representative for many years (1992-2012).  He attended many IAWA World Championships, having competed in the United States many times as well as Australia. Many times he placed in the top ten overall at the World Championships.  I counted 8 times, but there may have been more.  In 1999 Mike was the overall best mens lifter in the IAWA World Championships in Australia. He was inducted into the IAWA(UK) Hall of Fame in 2003.

This is just a brief summary of all the accomplishments Mike Archer has achieved in the IAWA.  He will be greatly missed!