Tag Archives: Presidential Cup

Presidential Cup

by Al Myers

Group picture from the 2014 USAWA Presidential Cup (left to right): Art Montini, Al Myers, Denny Habecker

Denny Habecker,  our USAWA President, hosted the USAWA Presidential Cup this past weekend at his gym in Lebanon, PA.  This is the third year for this now annual event.  The Presidential Cup is the USAWA version of the IAWA Gold Cup – which features lifters picking their best and favorite lifts to be contested in a record day format.  The Presidential Cup is the “Championship” of record days in the USAWA.  Each year the USAWA President picks a lift/lifter that he feels “worthy” of winning the Presidential Cup. Denny watches each lift with scrutiny as he is making his decision!

The Presidential Cup

This year only Denny, Art, and myself participated.  Art and I have been to this meet each year.  Art,  the defending Champion of the Presidential Cup, is tough competition.  Practically everything he lifts is worthy of being the winning lift. He started off with a 163# 2-bar deadlift.  I knew that would be tough for me to beat. So I started off with breaking Chad’s record in the Dumbbell Walk.  I was hoping that would “seal the deal” for me, but I could tell that Denny wasn’t fully impressed.  Art then went onto to some impressive finger lifts. He lifted 113 pounds on the ring and middle finger.  That’s IMPRESSIVE! Art’s fingers are hardened like steel cables, and I doubt if he has any pain sensor’s in them anymore.  I also planned to do some finger lifts beforehand as well – and felt good breaking a couple of records held by USAWA legends Joe Garcia and Bill Clark, but my finger lifts were not comparable to the ageless Art Montini’s finger lifts.  Now I knew things were “on the line” for me as it looked to me that Art was going to repeat as the Presidential Cup Winner.  So I had to stoop to a low and go after my dads best lift  in the one handed pinch. I managed a 83 pound performance using each hand, topping his best of 77 pounds.  My dad has become known for his gripping strength, always placing high in the USAWA Grip Championships.  This must have done it for me – as I was honored to win the Presidential Cup.  Denny even commented “that is was won by my pinch lifts!!!”   Sorry Dad.  You should have came along.

Denny did several very impressive lifts himself. His pressing of 143 pounds in the Press from Racks and Maxey Press stood out.  Also his 90 pound Two Hands Anyhow which almost took out a light bulb was memorable.  This was a great meet and I encourage others to attend next year.  Anytime one gets to spend time with Denny and Art is something to remember.  After all – these two guys are NUMBER ONE and NUMBER TWO on the All Time USAWA Record List!

MEET RESULTS:

USAWA Presidential Cup
August 9th, 2014
Habecker’s Gym
Lebanon, PA

Meet Director:  Denny Habecker

Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Officials (2 used on all lifts with both deeming the lifts good): Denny Habecker, Art Montini, Al Myers

Lifters/Lifts:

Al Myers – 47 years old, 236 pounds BWT

Dumbbell Walk 107 lbs.
Finger Lift – Left Little 69 lbs.
Finger Lift – Right Little 69 lbs.
Finger Lift – Left Ring 113 lbs.
Finger Lift – Right Ring 113 lbs.
Finger Lift – Right Index 130 lbs.
Pinch Grip – Left Hand 83 lbs.
Pinch Grip – Right Hand 83 lbs.

Denny Habecker – 71 years old, 193 pounds BWT

Two Hands Anyhow 90 lbs.
French Press 53 lbs.
Maxey Press 143 lbs.
Pullover and Press 187 lbs.
Press – From Rack 143 lbs.
Jackson Press 121 lbs.

Art Montini – 86 years old, 176 pounds BWT

Deadlift – 2 Bars 163 lbs.
Finger Lift – Left Middle 113 lbs.
Finger Lift – Right Middle 113 lbs.
Finger Lift – Left Ring 113 lbs.
Finger Lift – Right Ring 113 lbs.

WINNER OF 2014 PRESIDENTIAL CUP

AL MYERS w/ 83 POUND PINCH GRIP ONE HAND

Presidential Cup

by Al Myers

Denny took me to one of his favorite places last year at the Presidential Cup, and as you can tell from this picture, we had a good time at the Downtown Lounge!!!

Our Prez Denny Habecker has sanctioned this year’s Presidential Cup again!  The President’s Cup is the KING of USAWA Record Days.  I like to think of it as the CHAMPIONSHIP OF RECORD DAYS in the USAWA.   It is under direction to be promoted by the USAWA President, with the lift that impresses the President the most being recognized as the winner of the Presidential Cup.

The meet will be held at Denny’s private gym – Habecker’s Gym.  The number of different lifts one can perform is up to the number of lifters that enter and time allotment.  Come prepared to do at least 4 or 5 for record purposes as that is usually the number each lifter gets with the turnout of lifters in the past. Maybe you will get to join this exclusive list of past winners!!!

PAST PRESIDENTIAL CUP WINNERS:

2012 – Dale Friesz

2013 – Art Montini

There is no entry form or entry fees for this meet, but please contact Denny ahead of time if you plan to attend.

Presidential Cup

by Al Myers

MEET RESULTS & REPORT

2013 USAWA PRESIDENTIAL CUP

Participants in the 2013 USAWA Presidential Cup (left to right): Al Myers, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, & LaVerne Myers

The second annual Presidential Cup only brought four lifters to the platform, but it was filled with some outstanding lifting performances in the host site, Habecker’s Gym.  This USAWA Championships crowns a Champion of the Record Days.   The basis of this honor is chosen by our USAWA President Denny Habecker on the Record lift that impressed him the most.  After all the dust had settled, our Prez made his decision, and the Champion of the Presidential Cup went to Art Montini with his unreal performance in the Teeth Lift.  I pretty much think all in attendance agreed to this choice!

Art Montini (right) and his Presidential Cup, awarded to him by USAWA President Denny Habecker (left).

The Teeth Lift is not a lift very many lifters would want to try a max lift in.  Art came to this meet with a new fabricated teeth bit all ready to set a new record.  He had worn his old one out!!!  Now that shows commitment to training the ole chompers.  He finished off with a lift of 107 pounds.  I should  remind everyone that Art is 85 years old, and soon to be 86!  I was going to say next that most people his age don’t even have their original teeth, but that applies to Art as well.  He did this with false teeth!  I guess that would build in a little safety margin – if you failed your teeth would just spit out with the bit!  Now that would be a sight to see.

There were also lots of other great lifting.  Denny performed a 176 lb. Hackenschmidt Floor Press and a 200 lb. Bentover Row.  LaVerne set a big record with a 232 lb. One Arm Deadlift record (breaking a mark held previously by Bill Clark), and did it using a Ciavattone Grip. He also did a 200 lb. Bentover Row and a one handed Thumbless Deadlift of 200 lbs.   I broke a couple of records held by my buddy Chad (since he wasn’t in attendance!) which included a 303 lb. Bentover Row and a 211# one arm Thumbless Grip Deadlift.  The highlight of my day was teaming up with my Dad in the Team One Arm Thumbless Grip Deadlift with a lift of 451 pounds.

LaVerne Myers pulling 232 pounds in the One Arm Deadlift, using a Ciavattone Grip.

This is a great event, and hopefully more lifters will attend next year.  Denny has agreed to keeping this as a fixture event in the USAWA.  Congratulations to all lifters who took part.

MEET RESULTS

2013 Presidential Cup
August 10th, 2013
Habeckers Gym
Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Meet Director: Denny Habecker

Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker

Officials (3 official system used on all lifts): Denny Habecker, Al Myers, Art Montini, LaVerne Myers, Judy Habecker

Al Myers – 46 years old, 235 pounds

Hackenschmidt Floor Press: 331 pounds
Deadlift – No Thumb, Left Arm: 200 pounds
Deadlift – No Thumb, Right Arm: 211 pounds
Bentover Row: 303 pounds

LaVerne Myers – 69 years old, 250 pounds

Deadlift – Left Arm: 232 pounds
Deadlift – No Thumb, Left Arm: 200 pounds
Bentover Row: 200 pounds

Denny Habecker – 70 years old, 187 pounds

Hackenschmidt Floor Press: 176 pounds
Deadlift – Right Arm, Ciavattone Grip: 165 pounds
Bentover Row: 200 pounds

Art Montini – 85 years old, 177 pounds

Hack Lift: 154 pounds
Deadlift – Left Arm, Ciavattone Grip: 122 pounds
Deadlift – Right Arm, Ciavattone Grip: 122 pounds
Teeth Lift: 107 pounds

Al Myers and LaVerne Myers – 45-49 age group, 115 KG Class

Team Deadlift – No Thumb, Right Arm: 451 pounds

Denny Habecker and Art Montini – 70-74 age group, 85 KG Class

Team Deadlift: 303 pounds

Presidential Cup

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT
THE 2013  USAWA PRESIDENTIAL CUP

The BIG AWARD given out in 2012 for the winner of the Presidential Cup!

For the second year in a row, the now “Annual” USAWA Presidential Cup is being hosted again by our USAWA President Denny Habecker.  This is one of the CHAMPIONSHIP events hosted in the USAWA, and is the Championships of Record Days.  It follows along “the lines” of the IAWA Gold Cup – a lifter picks their best lift and contests it for a USAWA record in this prestigious record day.  After all lifters have performed their record lifts, Denny will pick the effort that impresses him the most and award that lifter the PRESIDENTIAL CUP.  Only one lifter will receive this very important award.   If time allows, lifters will have the opportunity to perform other record day lifts.  So it is a good idea to come with the BIG LIFT in mind, but also be prepared to do other lifts for record if the time allows.  

Last year the late Dale Friesz won the Presidential Cup with his 154 pound Ring Fingers Deadlift.  It was a very impressive lift considering the physical issues Dale was dealing with at the time.   When Denny chose Dale as the winner of the Presidential Cup, I was very glad to see it.  Now looking back, it was a “fitting end” to Dale’s long and distinguished USAWA career.  He will forever be THE ONE who won the first ever Presidential Cup.

Now a little “rehash” on the Presidential Cup.  This is a reprint of the guidelines laid out last year:

The Presidential Cup will follow along some of the same guidelines as the Gold Cup, which is the IAWA meet which recognizes outstanding performances by lifters in the lift/lifts of their choosing.  The Gold Cup started in 1991 under the direction of then-IAWA President Howard Prechtel.  However there will be some differences in the guidelines of the USAWA Presidential Cup:

  • The Presidential Cup is hosted annually by the USAWA President only.
  • Must be a USAWA member to participate.
  • A lifter may choose any official USAWA  lift/lifts (number set by the President) to set a USAWA record/records  in.
  • The lifter must open at a USAWA Record Poundage on first attempt.
  • The top performance record lift of the entire record day,  which will be chosen by the President, will be awarded the PRESIDENTIAL CUP.

MEET DETAILS:

USAWA Presidential Cup

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

Meet Director:  Denny Habecker

Location: Habecker’s Gym, Lebanon, PA

Lifts:  Bring your best lift for record!

Start time:  10 AM,  with weigh-ins before this

Entry Form:  None, but advance notice is required. 

Denny may be reached by email – dhabecker@usawa.com

Presidential Cup

By Al Myers

Winner of the FIRST EVER Presidential Cup Dale Friesz (left). The USAWA President Denny Habacker presented the award (right).

The FIRST EVER Presidential Cup hosted by USAWA President Denny Habecker was a huge success this past weekend in Lebanon,PA.  Six experienced and veteran lifters took part – Denny Habecker, Barry Bryan, Art Montini, John McKean, Dale Friesz, and myself.  As per the rules of the Presidents Cup, our Prez had to pick which  lifter had the record lift which “was worthy” of winning the cup. I’m glad this wasn’t my decision to make – as there were several championship worthy lifts put up over the course of the day.

Denny ended up choosing Dale THE MIRACLE MAN Friesz as the winner of the inaugural Presidential Cup with his efforts in the Ring Fingers Deadlift. Dale put up a 154 pound record in this lift.  I was simply amazed at Dale’s lifting.  Dale then followed up this lift with several other finger lift records, as it appears that these type of painful finger lifts are becoming his specialty.  When asked how he can handle this many record lifts on the sensitive fingers, he replied, “just train them everyday and your fingers get used to it.”  That hardcore attitude is one of the reasons he won this years Presidential Cup!

Participants in the 2012 Presidential Cup (left to right): Art Montini, Al Myers, Dale Friesz, Denny Habecker, Barry Bryan, & John McKean.

I really enjoyed catching up with John THE BIG FISH McKean.  John has a wealth of information on the history of the USAWA, and I always learn new things from him in our conversations.  Art THE MAN OF STEEL Montini made the trip with him, and put up a couple of nice records himself.  The plans for Art’s birthday bash are obviously underway as both John and Art were sporting the meet tshirts for this years meet in October on Art’s 85th!  I have never seen lifters wearing shirts for a meet that hasn’t happened yet!

It was also great to see Barry THE BOMB Bryan in action again on the platform.   When Barry lifts, the weights just explode!   I know most of the younger lifters don’t know Barry – but just look back in the past history of the USAWA and you soon will!  Barry was the overall best lifter in the 1990 USAWA National Championships and 4th overall at the 1991 USAWA Nationals.   He also placed 4th overall at the 1990 IAWA World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland and 5th overall at the 1991 IAWA World Championships in Collegeville, PA. Those type of titles are not just handed out to anyone! Barry is one of the true champions of our organization.

In closing, I want to sincerely thank Denny and Judy for hosting this weekend of fun. This meet is now our premier record day within the USAWA, and again, congrats to Dale for being crowned the LIFTER OF THE DAY by winning the first-ever  Presidential Cup.

MEET RESULTS

2012 Presidential Cup
Habecker’s Gym
Lebanon, PA
August 25th, 2012

Meet Director:  Denny Habecker

Officials (three used on each lift): Al Myers, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, Barry Bryan, John McKean, Dale Friesz

Dale Friesz – 72 years old, 160# BWT

Deadlift – Ring Fingers: 154#
Deadlift – Index Fingers: 115#
Finger Lift – Right Ring: 112#
Finger Lift -Right Middle: 129#

Denny Habecker – 69 years old, 193# BWT

Clean and Jerk – Behind Neck: 145#
Clean and Press – 12″ Base: 141#
Clean and Press – Heels Together: 141#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip: 231#
Snatch – Fulton Bar: 88#
Deadlift – No Thumbs: 286#

Barry Bryan – 54 years old, 193# BWT

Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Right Arm: 132#
Clean and Press: 176#

Art Montini – 84 years old, 173# BWT

Arthur Lift: 66#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Hand: 132#

John McKean – 66 years old, 163# BWT

Deadlift – 2 Dumbbells: 324#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Right Arm: 162#
Deadlift – Dumbbell, Left Arm: 162#
Hack Lift: 256#

Al Myers – 46 years old, 247# BWT

Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Right Arm: 176#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Left Arm: 154#
Deadlift – Fulton Bar: 475#

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