History of the USAWA – What happened 5 years ago?
by Al Myers
(It is amazing how fast time goes sometimes – and 5 years does not seem like a long time. The following is a summary of the USAWA September news that happened in 2004, as taken from the Strength Journal published by Bill Clark. )
Joe Garcia, representing Clark's Gym, pulls a fire truck at the Mid-Mo Strongman Competition.
Frank Ciavattone was the best lifter at the USAWA Heavy Lift Championships, which was held in Lebanon, PA and directed by Denny and Judy Habecker. This was a big event for Frank, as it marked his 25th anniversary of beating colon cancer. This meet was attended by 13 lifters!! Frank finished the meet with a 1902# Hip Lift. John Vernacchio was on hand to officiate.
Clark’s gym hosted their first-ever strongman competition. Helping Bill Clark in the promotion was Demetrius Davis, Sam Huff and Joe Garcia. These events were selected – clean and push press, burlap bag hold, medley consisting of carrying an anvil, a farmer’s walk, and a tire flip, bus/fire truck pull, and a stone load.
Steve Schmidt made his second appearance at the Knox Fair in Knox, Indiana to put on a teeth pulling performance. Steve pulled a Mack truck, weighing 18,700 pounds, with his teeth down a 50 foot course on the main street of Knox. He also put on a bending performance – bending bars over his head and nose. Steve even bent a half-inch bar, 4 feet long, over his lower teeth!!