OTSM Goes BIG in 2013!
by Thom Van Vleck
It’s not even 2013 yet and we already have THREE OTSM (Old Time Strong Man) contests for next year and at least one other in the works. For that reason, we are looking at expanding on the pool of lifts. How this works is a lift is proposed, then used in a contest to see how it works. If it works, it is then taken to the annual meeting for approval by the members.
First up is Al’s meet he recently posted for January. In it he will be introducing a new experimental lift, the Hackenschmidt Floor Press. There will be an article soon explaining this lift. Al’s meet will have the Anderson Squat, the Hack Floor press, and the People’s Deadlift. Rules for the other two lifts are located in the rule book. This is basically an Old Time Powerlifting Meet!
Second will be in April. The meet date is not set, but likely the end of April. This will run by Tim Piper and will be in Macomb, Illinios. This meet will be at the Salvation Army Gym and that Gym is worth the trip by itself! I was there recently to help judge a meet and it was as “Old School” as they come and the prefect place for an OTSM meet!
The, of course, the OTSM Nationals will be held in Kirksville, Missouri for the 3rd time. This meet will be later in the year and while the date is to be determined….it WILL happen and will be the “finale” for the OTSM season.
I also know that Eric Todd and the KC Strongman crew are looking to hold a meet and I’m hoping to talk Jesse Jobe to put one on. I would also like to see regular USAWA meets, such as Record Days, associated with these meets. As that would help open up the USAWA to new members and fans!
Now we have the makings of a circuit! So, for those interested, I propose that we have an “OTSM” circuit. I am looking for ideas on how to format this so anyone that has a good idea, send it my way. Basically, I want to reward the person who attends the most meets and places the best at those meets. This award will be present at the conclusion of the OTSM Championships. Maybe we should even have a club champion as well. What do you think? Let me know!
I hope that everyone will give an OTSM meet a look in 2013. Maybe even host one and compete in one!