Category Archives: USAWA Daily News

NEW LIFT – Bench Press with the Fulton Bar

by Al Myers

It is always exciting to get new lifts in the USAWA.  At the Annual National Meeting in Las Vegas, this new lift was passed by the membership: Bench Press – Fulton Bar.  It was presented to the Executive Board for review last spring by Dino Gym member Scott Tully.  A year ago it was passed by the membership that ALL new Fulton Bar lifts MUST be approved to become official lifts of the USAWA, just like any other new proposed lift.   Scott just wondered why the common Bench Press was not represented, as several of the other common lifts (ie Snatch, Clean and Jerk, Deadlift, Clean and Push Press Continental to Chest, Maxey Press, etc)  were represented in our official lifts listing.  He made a great point – so now welcome the Bench Press to the list of Fulton Bar Lifts.

The official Fulton Bar lifts now stand at 13 lifts and include a good representation of all round lifts.  For those not familiar with the fulton bar terminology, the fulton bar is defined in the USAWA Rulebook as a 2″ bar with these specifications:

  • The diameter of the bar must be a minimum of 1 15/16 inches.
  • The bar may be a pipe or a solid steel shaft.
  • There must be no rotation to the sleeves of the bar.
  •  The minimum distance between the inside collars is 51 inches.
  • The maximum distance between the inside collars is 58 inches. 
  • The minimum total length must not be less than 7 feet.
  • There must not be any knurling on the bar.
  • The weight of the bar must be clearly marked.
  • The bar must be straight.

Now for the Official USAWA rule on the Bench Press – Fulton Bar:

Bench Press – Fulton Bar: The rules of the Bench Press apply except a Fulton Bar is used.

That’s it!!!  Pretty simple rule.   The only confusion may arise concerning whether the feet should “be in the air” (following the rule of the Bench Press – Feet in Air), which they do not.  If fact, that would be technically illegal to perform this new lift that way, as the rules of the Bench Press require the feet to be flat on the floor without movement.  Now let’s add some records to the Record List in the Fulton Bar Bench Press!!!!

More on Knee Sleeves

by Al Myers

In today’s blog,  the IAWA President Steve Gardner revealed a poll concerning the use of knee sleeves in the IAWA, of which the USAWA is a part of internationally.  This issue was brought forward at the USAWA National Meeting in Las Vegas, and a motion was made and passed to refer it the IAWA Technical Committee to evaluate the “pros and cons” of it before presentation at the IAWA World Meeting in Salina this fall, for the IAWA membership to vote and decide.  I felt this was the right move, as I have said, this issue is WAY BIGGER than the USAWA, and ALL countries should have a vote in it.  If the USAWA allowed knee sleeves while everyone else in the IAWA didn’t, USAWA lifters would be lifting with different rules at the IAWA competitions.  And what about World IAWA records?  It would technically make all USAWA events not eligible for World Record consideration if the USAWA allowed knee wraps while the “rest of the World” didn’t. 

I feel the IAWA Technical Committee is doing the right thing here in polling all members of the organization in their feelings on this issue.  That way, it is clear how the membership feels as a whole, not just the membership that is present at the World Meeting.  This makes this poll very important.  Also, this is not an absolute vote for or against the use of knee sleeves, but just a poll to determine how the majority feels.  That way at the meeting the voting membership present will know the true overall feelings of the IAWA membership in helping decide how to vote. 

Steve included a form to fill out and send in.  If you just prefer to email me your opinion on this that is acceptable, even if you are neutral.  I have printed off the membership roster and will mark “yes or no” beside your name.   This is one poll that your vote counts – so if you have feelings on this issue please send me your vote.  I hope to get at least responses from over half the membership.   I will take non-responses as one of two ways – you don’t care one way or the other, or as Bill used to say in his Strength Journal, you are a lifter who is either “DEAD and/or COMATOSE”.

I also welcome commentaries from lifters who have strong feelings one way or the other on this issue.  Please send your comments to me and I will run them on the website.  Take this as an opportunity to lobby for your cause!!!

REMEMBER – the deadline for this poll is the first of September.

Poll on Knee Sleeves

by Steve Gardner,  IAWA International President                        

Dear IAWA member:

An issue will arise at the World Council meeting in October 2012 that will need to be decided.  We consider it serious enough to warrant a poll of all members to find the exact strength of opinion  to decide the matter, rather than it be left to a show of hands amongst those who happen to be  present in Salina Kansas USA in October.

The proposal that is submitted from members of USAWA, is that an elastic ‘non supportive’ knee sleeve should be allowed to be worn by lifters during IAWA competitions. (Note: this is not knee wraps, but rather described as a knee cover that is not supportive or aiding a lifters ability to lift more weight).

The proposer’ will put forward the case that it is a knee aide for joint comfort and keeping the knee warm.

A view of conflict with the previous stance taken by IAWA since its inception is that IAWA does not allow any form of lifting aide other than a belt and wrist wraps and knee wraps for front and back squat. And though proposed as a knee comfort or warming device, others might feel this is still a move towards more lifting aides.

If the motion is passed at the Council Meeting in October, then IAWA will announce exactly what the allowable ‘non supportive’ elastic knee sleeve will be, and there will be no allowable deviation from that example allowed.

We want your view please so that we can make an informed decision that reflects the wishes of the majority of our IAWA membership to conform to our democratic principle.

Please return this form with your vote to:

(Steve Gardner in the UK,  Al Myers in the USA, Robin Lukosius in Australia)  

ALL REPLIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE OF 1st SEPTEMBER 

Post This Form To: Steve Gardner  IAWA(UK) – 18 Holly Road, Barton, Staffs DE13 8LP

Name:  ______________________________________                          

(please tick one of the following)           

    Vote For:                                         Vote Against:

Any further comment on the matter you wish to make:

Macomb Record Setter

by Tim Piper

Brady Popkin, of the Salvation Army Gym, lifted 601 pounds in the Peoples Deadlift at the Macomb Record Setter.

July 21, 2012 –  Six lifters from the Salvation Army Gym in Macomb Illinois competed in the 2012 Macomb Record Setter meet establishing a total of 27 American records in the United States All-round Weightlifting Association.  The United States All-round Weightlifting Association (USAWA) is a lifting organization dedicated to drug free lifting in many forms, from exercises performed in old-time circus strongman acts to lesser known unorthodox exercises often referred to as “odd lifts”.  Many of the lifts are named after their originators or in honor of strongmen and women of the past.

The lifts of this meet included: Cyr Press, a one hand dumbbell overhead press; Peoples Deadlift, a deadlift starting 18” off the ground; Anderson Press, an overhead barbell press starting at forehead height; Apollon’s lift, a clean and press with a 2” barbell; Fulton Bar Jefferson Lift, a straddle deadlift with a  2” barbell; Cheat Curl, a barbell curl which allows preliminary fast lowering of the barbell and back arching during completion; Dumbbell Cheat Curl, similar to the cheat curl with dumbbells; Strict Curl, a barbell curl performed with the head and hips held motionless against a wall, heels no more than 3 inches from the wall and no form of body movement during the curl; Deadlift with heels at 12” spacing; Bench Press with hands together; Bench Press with feet in the air; Bench Press with mixed grip; Bench Press with reverse grip; 1 hand Bench Press; and the Piper Squat, a below parallel barbell squat with the barbell held upon the lower back.

The youngest of the lifters, 11 year old Whitney Piper, set 4 records in the 30k/66 pound category.  She set records of 15 pounds in the Cyr Press, 22 pounds in the Piper Squat, 38.58 pounds in the Anderson Press, and 88 pounds in the Peoples Deadlift. 

Dawn Piper, who already holds 9 records in the USAWA, set records of 30 pounds in the Cyr Press, 49.6 pounds in the Apollon’s Lift, 71.6 pounds in the Anderson press, and 176.37 pounds in the Peoples Deadlift.

17 year old, 164 pound Brian Jenkins set six records total, all in press exercises.  His lightest lift was a 104.72 pound 1 Right arm Bench Press.  He went on to set a very impressive 90 pound Cyr Press, followed by the 148.8 pounds in the Bench Press with hands together, 209.44 pounds in the Reverse Grip Bench Press, 220 pounds in the Alternating Grip Bench Press, and 233.69 pounds in the Bench Press with feet in the air. 

185 pound Jon Myres set four records total starting with an exciting 2 Dumbbell Cheat curl of 120 pounds.  He went on to set an impressive 80 pound left hand Cyr Press, a 90 pound right hand Cyr Press, and finished the day with a 275.58 pound Peoples Deadlift. 

165 pound Jay Allen had a big day setting 5 records.  Jay started with a 60 pound right hand Cyr Press followed by a 65 pound left hand Cyr Press. He went on to set a 132 pound Piper Squat, a grueling 385.8 pound Fulton Bar Jefferson Lift, completing the day with a 440 pound Peoples Deadlift.

Brady Popkin, weighing 239 pounds, had the biggest lifts of the day.  He began with a 148.8 pound Strict Curl, followed up with Cheat Curl of 242.5 pounds, then matching his curl weight with a 242.5 pound Bench Press with hands together.  He finished the day up with Deadlift with heels at 12” apart of 562.17 pounds, and then put up the second heaviest ever Peoples Deadlift of 600.7 pounds. 

The Salvation Army Gym lifters are now preparing for the upcoming International All-round Weightlifting Association World Championships, to be held in Kansas in October.  Anyone interested in drug free lifting sports is welcome to stop by the Salvation Army Gym weekdays between 3 and 5 p.m.  While competition is not required, many compete in the USAWA, the American Drug Free Powerlifting Federation, and USA Weightlifting.  The gym is free and open to drug free lifters, and is coached by Roger Gedney, Judy Gedney, Tim Piper and Mike Chase. 

MEET RESULTS

Macomb Record Setter
Salvation Army Gym
Macomb, Illinois
July 21st, 2012

Meet Director:  Tim Piper

Official (1 official system used): Tim Piper

NAME age BW Class Lift BEST
Whitney Lee Piper 11 29.9 30 Cyr Press (right) 15
        Anderson Press 38.58
        Piper Squat 22.05
        People’s DL 88.18
Dawn Piper 41 64.3 65 Cyr Press (right) 30
        Anderson Press 71.65
        Apollons Lift 46.90
        People’s DL 176.37
Brian Jenkins 17 74.4 75 BP feet in air 233.69
        BP hands together 148.81
        BP mixed grip 220.46
        1 Hand BP (right) 49.60
        BP reverse grip 209.44
        Cyr Press (right) 90
Jonathan Myres 26 84.8 85 Cheat Curl-2 DB’s 120
        Cyr Press (right) 90
        Cyr Press (left) 80
        Peoples DL 275.58
Jay Allen 25 74.9 75 Cyr press (right) 60
        Cyr Press (left) 65
        Peoples DL 440.92
        Jefferson Lift Fulton Bar 385.81
Brady Popkin 26 108.5 110 Strict Curl 148.81
        Cheat Curl 242.51
        DL 12” heels 562.17
        Peoples DL 600.75
        BP Hands Together 242.51
           
           
           

Note: All Cyr Press attempts in case records are kept for each hand. All records are recorded in pounds, many of them have been converted from our calibrated kilo plates. BW is bodyweight in kilograms.

Middle Atlantic Postal

by Al Myers

The 2012 Middle Atlantic Postal Meet appeared to be a HUGE SUCCESS for the “second installment” of the USAWA quarterly postal series.  The meet had three women lifters and 13 men lifters entered.  All three women lifters were junior lifters, with my daughter Molly pulling out the victory over Brianna and Gabby, two girls from fine “lifting stock” I would have to say.  Congrats to all these young gals for their performances – and I hope to see more of it in the future.

The men’s division was “hotly contested”.  I officiated Chad Ullom with his lifts, and when he finished the postal meet I thought for sure that his efforts wouldn’t be topped.  But then again – I didn’t take into account the BIG YOUNG  BULL Bryan Benzel from the Jobe’s Steel Jungle.  Bryan edged Chad out by only 5 adjusted points!!

MEET RESULTS

Middle Atlantic Open Postal Meet
June 1-30, 2012

Meet Director:  John Wilmot

Lifts:  Clean and Push Press – 2 Dumbbells, Snatch – From Hang, Curl – 2 Dumbbells, Cheat

Lifters using 3 Certified Officals (or 2 that BOTH passed the lift):

Brianna Ullom – Officials Al Myers, Chad Ullom
Molly Myers – Officials Al Myers, Chad Ullom
Troy Goetsch – Officials Jesse Jobe, Bryan Benzel, Dan Bunch
Tim Songster Jr. – Officials Jesse Jobe, Bryan Benzel
Bryan Benzel – Officials Dan Bunch, Jesse Jobe
Scott Tully – Officials Darren Barnhart, Mark Mitchell, Al Myers
Darren Barnhart – Officials Scott Tully, Mark Mitchell, Al Myers

Lifters using only one Certified Official:

Gabby Jobe – Official Jesse Jobe
Denny Habecker – Official Judy Habecker
Jesse Jobe – Official Dan Bunch
Chad Ullom – Official Al Myers
Dan Bunch – Official Bryan Benzel

Lifters using a judge that is NOT a certified official:

Les Cramer – Judge Monica Cook
Samuel Rogers – Judge Orie Barnett
Orie Barnett – Judge Sam Rogers
John Wilmot – Judge Kay Wilmot

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT DB PP SNATCH DB CURL TOT PTS
Molly Myers 13 163 60 75 90 225 283.6
Brianna Ullom 14 136 50 45 70 165 225.5
Gabby Jobe 9 96 40 22 40 102 205.2

 

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT DB PP SNATCH DB CURL TOT PTS
Bryan Benzel 25 290 234 205 214 653 481.5
Chad Ullom 40 253 210 198 190 598 476.3
Les Cramer 70 182 120 132 130 382 470.9
Troy Goetsch 25 192 174 150 154 478 437.1
Orie Barnett 51 231 170 132 160 462 427.6
Jesse Jobe 35 234 164 155 164 483 396.4
Tim Songster 45 216 160 135 140 435 394.5
Denny Habecker 69 191 110 99 120 329 392.2
Samuel Rogers 49 205 150 110 140 400 387.8
Dan Bunch 47 328 174 145 174 493 378.5
Scott Tully 36 346 200 154 170 524 372.5
Darren Barnhart 44 313 170 154 170 494 368.7
John Wilmot 65 221 100 100 100 300 319.7

 NOTES:  BWT is bodyweight in pounds.  All lifts recorded in pounds.  TOT is total pounds lifted.  PTS is adjusted points, corrected for age and bodyweight.

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