Tag Archives: OTSM

Old Time Strongman Championships

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT: OLD TIME STRONGMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BACK!!!

By Eric Todd

Lynda Burns pulls a big People's Deadlift at the OTSM Championship

Lynda Burns pulls a big People’s Deadlift at the OTSM Championship

The Old Time Strongman Championship is BACK in 2021!  After a trash year in the USAWA dealing with a trash pandemic, and relying heavily on postal competitions (which we were very lucky to have), I am excited to announce the 2021 Old Time Strongman Championship.  This is often one of our better attended competitions, and I am counting on it being so again this year.  The meet will once again be held in my big tin can.

I always like the offer this disclaimer for anyone who has not lifted in my facility.  It is not a place of luxury.  It gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter.  So, come prepared, depending on what the weather brings that particular day.  No easy chairs, no davenports, no recliners. No running water, so the restroom facilities come in the shape of an outhouse out back.  Toilet Paper is in the ammo box.  That being said, there is plenty of weight to make big lifts on!

Lifts for the meet:

Cyr Press

Habecker Lift

Hackenschmidt Floor Press

Kennedy Lift

 

Date: September 11, 2021

Weigh ins: 9:30

Rules: 10:00

Meet Time: 10:30

Cost $25 (Make Checks out to Eric Todd)

Entries due (in hand) August 28

Awards: There will be awards

 

I will post directions a little closer to meet time.  Follow those and you will be golden.  Follow GPS and you might be blowed up.  Hope to see you all out here on September 11 for good times and great lifting. Entry form below:

 

OTSM-Entry

OTSM WORLD POSTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Al Myers

2019 IAWA WORLD POSTAL OLD TIME STRONGMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Greg Cook, the Overall Best Mens Lifter, performing a Hackenschmidt Press at the 2019 OTSM World Postal Championships.

Greg Cook, the Overall Best Mens Lifter, performing a Hackenschmidt Press at the 2019 OTSM World Postal Championships.

The results from the Second Annual Old Time Strongman Championships have been tabulated.  I was so excited to see the international involvement again this year, as that makes this competition a truly World event.  This year a total of 26 lifters competed (exceeding that of last year).  Australia had 6 lifters, the United States had 8 lifters, England had 10 lifters, Wales had 1 lifter, and Canada had 1 lifter. Three different OTSM lifts were chosen this year to add a new challenge for everyone. The OVERALL BEST LIFTERS were Women – Sylvia Stockall of Canada and Men – Greg Cook of the USA.  Congratulations to both of these lifters for their exceptional lifting.  As I was putting all the results together I noticed great lifting from so many other lifters as well. I want to really thank everyone for supporting this World Championships!!!  I especially want to thank the promoters from each country for hosting the venue for the lifters.

Here are a few words from Phil Crisp:

the 2019 English Old Time Strongman Championships, the national leg for England of the World Old Time Strongman Championships, was held on 21st July in Hailsham, England. Promoted by Nick Swain and Phil Crisp, Nick very unfortunately could not make the competition due to pressing personal reasons on the day. However, his and Phil’s previous work had paid off and the competition was well set up and ready to go, with Rory Hoad, who was already pencilled in for the day as a helper, stepping up to referee and help organise the day efficiently and without missing a trick..

Whilst the usual remarks on the camaraderie, the support, the great help from Freedom Leisure where the competition was held, and the lovely weather (with the first lift taking place outside!) could all be given as highlights of the competition perhaps the most impressive part of the day was the quality of the lifting.

Leading the charge here was Rory Hoad, who took the Open and Overall titles of the English Old Time Strongman Championships. Rory pulled a huge 360kg Kennedy lift to underscore his fantastic day. Phil Crisp, last year’s champion and also the 2018 World Old Time Strongman champion was pushed into 2nd place, although Phil took the Masters category. In third overall, Paul Barette – with his usual pulling powers on show once more (!) – saw off Danny Kingsland’s very close push for the podium by a margin of 10 points. Rouhol Uddin, in a very balanced performance, took fifth followed by the excellent Steve Shah and the very promising Junior champion Brandon Hazell-Hyland.

With a few lifters having to pull out at the last minute, the field of seven could easily have been extended. The event and the idea of the Old Time World Strongman Championship, however, seems to be growing in strength under Al Myers and John Mahon and we look forward to next year’s edition!

Meet Results:

2019 IAWA World OTSM Championships
World Postal
July 20th-21st, 2019

Meet Directors: Al Myers & John Mahon

Scorekeeper: Al Myers

Venues:

Australia – Lambda Academy with promoters John Mahon & Peter Phillips
England –  Promoters Nick Swain & Phil Crisp
United States – Dino Gym with promoter Al Myers
Wales – KEDS gym with promoter Neil Keddy
Canada – Promoter Sylvia Stockall

Lifts: Thor’s Hammer, Hackenschmidt Floor Press, Kennedy Lift

WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT Thor Hack Kenn TOT PTS
Sylvia Stockall, CAN 61 63.0 9.5 70.3 156.5 236.3 323.6
Racheal Hin, AUS 50 60.0 8.75 55 145 208.8 269.3
Max Ell, ENG 22 45.0 5.75 55 115 175.75 259.1
Maddy Ell, ENG 24 47.5 4.5 57.5 110 172.0 241.3
Claire McLaren, AUS 47 85.0 10 30 160 200.0 200.3

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT Thor Hack Kenn TOT PTS
Greg Cook, USA 62 115.7 26 117.5 365 508.5 491.3
Rory Hoad, ENG 31 86.0 12 157.5 360 529.5 487.7
Philippe Crisp, ENG 49 100.5 10 157.5 307.5 475.0 444.1
Gary Ell, ENG 48 90.0 17 120 300 437.0 427.6
John Strangeway, USA 41 93.5 25 130 320 475.0 425.7
Al Myers, USA 52 106.2 20 125 300 445.0 412.7
Paul Barette, ENG 43 77.5 8.25 90 250 348.3 354.9
John Douglas, USA 55 138.2 25 137.5 250 412.5 344.8
Danny Kngsland, ENG 29 57.5 7 100 180 287.0 344.3
Peter Phillips, AUS 65 99.4 17.5 105 190 312.5 334.6
Steven Charles, AUS 38 88.4 17.5 100 250 367.5 333.2
Barry Pensyl, USA 71 67.6 13.75 72.5 137.5 223.8 330.2
Denny Habecker, USA 76 82.6 13.75 85 137.5 236.3 329.8
Neil Keddy, WALES 41 95.0 15.75 140 200 355.8 316.1
Rouhol Uddin, ENG 39 74.5 4.5 105 195 304.5 305.8
Steve Shah, ENG 70 81.5 5.75 80 145 230.8 298.3
Dean Ross, USA 76 106.2 13.75 80 140 233.8 283.9
Flynn McLaren, AUS 16 69.6 15 60 170 245 282.7
LaVerne Myers, USA 75 104.0 17.5 50 160 227.5 275.6
Brandon Hazell-Hyland, ENG 17 75.5 4.5 75 140 219.5 229.5
Cameron McLaren, AUS 53 111.7 22.5 70 145 237.5 216.5

NOTES:   All bodyweights recorded in kilograms.  All lifts recorded in kilograms.  TOT is total kilograms lifted.  PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight.

BEST LIFTER AWARDS

Womens Best Senior 20-39: Max Ell
Womens Best Master 45-49: Claire McLaren
Womens Best Master 50-54: Racheal Hin
Womens Best Master 60-64: Sylvia Stockall
Womens Overall Best Lifter: Sylvia Stockall
Mens Best Junior: Flynn McLaren
Mens Best Senior 20-39: Rory Hoad
Mens Best Master 40-44: John Strangeway
Mens Best Master 45-49: Philippe Crisp
Mens Best Master 50-54: Al Myers
Mens Best Master 55-59: John Douglas
Mens Best Master 60-64: Greg Cook
Mens Best Master 65-69: Peter Phillips
Mens Best Master 70-74: Barry Pensyl
Mens Best Master 75-79: Denny Habecker
Mens Overall Best Lifter: Greg Cook

OTSM Championships

By Eric Todd

2017 USAWA OLD TIME STRONGMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Group picture from the 2017 USAWA Old Time Strongman Championships.

Group picture from the 2017 USAWA Old Time Strongman Championships.

Another installment of USAWA’s Old strongman Championships has now passed, and what an event it was. This is the 7th annual championship event in one of the most recent additions  in the USAWA.  The first three constested were at the JWC training hall in Kirksville, with the last 4 being at my facility.  In terms of competitors, this was the best turnout the organization has seen at this event with 12 competitors.  We also has a certified judge who was not also a lifter in Thom VanVleck.  We had many seasoned competitors ( I believe Denny was with the organization since around it’s inception) along with some relative newbies (John Douglas and Chris Todd are in the first year of competing in the USAWA-It is GREAT to get new blood into the organization).

The Contest started off with the Thor’s Hammer. I said it before, and I will say it again, this one is a fickle mistress.  You saw a number of times where it appeared the lifter had stuck the lift only to have it start moving before they could get the down command. When this lift was first contested a number of years back it seemed like 40-45 was about the top number to hit.  At this meet half the field was at that mark or better.  Some lifters preferred the snatch and some the swing.  In the end, just like last year it was Ben Edwards and I battling it out for the top spot, with both of us landing on about the same number we did last year.  Like I said, a fickle mistress.

The second discipline contested was the Hackenschmidt Floor Press. Abe Smith impressed me the most in this lift by hitting 345 at a bodyweight of 180.  As the lightest competor in the meet, this was the third highest mark hit on the press.  Scott Tully also hit a big mark of 360.

Once the pressing was completed, we moved the bar to the 18” boxes for the Kennedy Lift. This is the lift where one should be able to lift the most weight.  And there were a few lifters who did not disappoint!  Heather Tully kept pace with many of the fellas by hitting a big 400.  Chad Ullum hit a 725 in the meet, but then Greg Cook called for 755, which would break the all-time record, regardless of age or weight.  After a herculean effort, and the weight was locked out and still, VanVleck gave the down call for a good lift and a new record!  Chad came back to match it with a 4th attempt for record.  Dean Ross and Chris Todd also hit records on their fourth.

The last event in the contest was the Dumbell to shoulder. Because you can basically get it to your shoulder by whatever means you can, we got to witness some interesting techniques, from just cleaning it, to swinging it, to excruciating series of movements in the form of a continental.  John Douglas did kind of a combination swing/continental to result in a big 200# lift. I was pleased to surpass my old record with a 313# lift, though I am suffering for it now.

After the meet was over and we were tallying scores, lifters had the otion of trying out an exhibition lift, the Lurich Lift. It is basically a Hack Lift from 18”.  This lift was the brain child of Lance Foster, so I kind of let him take the reigns on this one.  Several lifters took part.  I took one attempt that failed at an embarrassing weight due to form issues, anatomical difficultied, or a combination thereof.  Denny hit 185, Dean Ross hit 205, and John Douglas hit 225.  Lance hit 315 on his pet lift. Ben Edwards managed a 405 lift on it, but Chad ullum amazed and insulted everyone with a massive lift of 605.  So I guess this lift is possible.  At the end, here are my thoughts on the lift is this going forward.  I did not enjoy this lift for obvious reasons.  With that being said, I see no reason why this lift would not be considered a valid OTSM lift and be presented for inclusion in our rule book.  Feel free to chime in on this in our forum.

Wow! I felt like this was the  tightest, fiercest competition this Championship has seen.  Watching the scores unfold, I could not have told you if I won or got 7th or last.  There was some big hitters at this meet, hitting big weights.  I was hard to tell how it would all fall.  In the end, it fell like this:

MEET RESULTS

Meet Promoter: Eric Todd

Head Official (1-Official System): Thom VanVleck

Loaders: All competitors

OTSM Lifts: Thor’s Hammer, Hackenschmidt Floor Press, Kennedy Lift, Dumbbell to Shoulder

Meet shirts provided by Metabolic Technologies

Hostess and Sandwich deliverer: Jenny Todd

 WOMENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT Thor HFP Ken DB TOT PTS
Heather Tully 38 213 25 175 400 100 700 603.5

MENS DIVISION

LIFTER AGE BWT Tho HFP Ken DB TOT PTS
Greg Cook 60 253 40 275 755 175 1245 1187.1
Eric Todd 42 252 60 385 650 313 1408 1145.3
Chad Ullom 45 245 40 315 725 250 1330 1128.8
Abe Smith 36 180 30 345 600 200 1175 1114.5
Scott Tully 40 354 45 360 660 200 1265 858.7
Ben Edwards 42 234 55 250 525 150 980 827.6
John Douglas 54 315 40 275 500 200 1015 827.4
Denny Habecker 74 195 25 200 325 75 625 764.1
Dean Ross 74 231 25 200 335 90 650 724.5
Chris Todd 38 272 30 275 365 175 845 642.4
Lance Foster 51 326 32.5 155 400 150 737.5 576.2

Notes: BWT in pounds. All lifts recorded in pounds. TOT is total pounds lifted. PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight adjustments.

Lurich Lift – Exhibition Lift

Ben Edwards 405
Dean Ross 205
Denny Habecker 185
Lance Foster 315
Chad Ullum 605
John Douglas 225

Extra Attempts for Record

Hackenschmidt Floor Press
Dean Ross 210

Kennedy Lift
Dean Ross 365
Chris Todd 405
Chad Ullum 755

Heather Tully became the third women’s champion last year, and this year becomes the first two time champion.  Greg Cook becomes the 6th Champion in seven years.  What made this the most impressive was that he did it against all but one former champs.  He bested Chad, myself, Denny and Abe, all former OTSM champs to achieve this goal.  Thank you to all who came out and helped or competed.  It was a great day to be an all-rounder!

Dumbbell to Shoulder

by Thom Van Vleck

A great photo of Al doing the DB to the Shoulder

A great photo of Al doing the DB to the Shoulder

 

As we get ready for the OTSM Championships to be held by Eric Todd (see the upcoming events section) I thought it might be good to go over the events as a review.  Today I’m looking at the Dumbbell to Shoulder lift.  A bit of history on this event was the Dumbbell to the shoulder was a lift from the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis.  This was really a one handed dumbbell clean and really didn’t fit the criteria for an OTSM lift.  So it was switched up to be a two hands “anyhow” type of lift.  I think it’s a really unique lift and one my favorites in the OTSM line up (and not just because I came up with it!).

Dumbbell to Shoulder – A Dumbbell will be taken from the floor to the shoulder using any method the lifter wants to employ. The dumbbell may be lifted with two hands, continental style, may be rested on the belt during the lift, by any part of the dumbbell. Hands may grip the plates, bar, collars or any part of the dumbbell. Any size plate may be loaded onto the dumbbell.The lift is completed when the lifter is standing upright, with the dumbbell resting on the shoulder, and the lifter demonstrating control. Both hands may remain on the dumbbell to complete the lift, or with one hand or both hands off the dumbbell. Time limit of 1 minute is given to complete the lift. An official will give a command to end the lift.

Come out the the OTSM meet and check it out.  Check the record book as I think this lift is pretty wide open in many categories for a record!  See you then.

OTSM Championships

By Eric Todd

MEET REPORT AND RESULTS

2016 Old Time Strongman Championships

Another chapter of USAWA’s Old Time Strongman Championship is in the books. This is one of the newer championships in the USAWA.  It was started by Thom VanVleck several years ago, and has been hosted by me for the past 3 years.  This year’s event proved to be our best turnout since it has been contested in the big tin-can with ten competitors.  The weather could not have been more cooperative.  It was a great day to be an all-rounder.

The day started off with a bang. My 3 month old black lab/redbone hound mix Archibald was on hand to support us all day.  Before the meet he was causing a commotion over behind some equipment by the wall.  When we looked to see what was going on, it appeared he was doing battle with a critter, which turned out to be a woodchuck.  Before long, it became obvious that Archie would be the victor, and he proudly made a victory lap around the barn with the critter hanging from his mouth.

Anyhow, after the excitement, it was time for the lifting to begin. We had a wide array of competitors with different lifting experience.  Abe Smith made his way back into the USAWA.  Abe saw lots of success competing for Clarks gym a number of years ago.  At a lighter bodyweight with huge poundages lifted, Abe has always been tough to beat in all-round.  President Denny Habecker came from Pennsylvania.  Denny is a seasoned all-rounder and Olympic weightlifter.  His travel partner was one of the senior members of the USAWA, Art Montini.  Dean Ross from Oklahoma was there.  Dean has been a highland games thrower for many years, and now is a stalwart in the USAWA.  My good friend and training partner Lance Foster was there.  Lance has competed in strongman, powerlifting, Highland Games, and all-round.  Scott Tully and Heather Gardner came from Salina, KS to compete.  Scott, who was a huge presence in Strongman for many years, also competed in powerlifting and highland games.  Heather trains at Scott’s gym, Driven Fitness, and has primarily competed in powerlifting.  Greg Cook made his return to all-round.  Greg is an old school powerlifter who I competed with in strongman for a number of years.  Ben Edwards also came to us from Kansas.  Ben has competed in all-round and highland games, but is probably best known for being one of the most successful grip competitors in our area.

We started off with the Dinnie lift. There were some great lifts here, with four lifters going over 600 pounds.  Abe Smith’s 650 without the aid of a hook grip was maybe the most impressive, along with Heather’s 480 record attempt.

The next discipline was the Thor’s hammer. I had heard that in training, Ben had been hitting record poundages, so I knew I would have my work cut out for me to keep pace.  Well, we both hit our stride in this one.  We both hit the all-time record on the Thor’s hammer in competition of 55 pounds.  In a record attempt, I also hit a 60 pound lift, to again beat the all-time record.

In the third lift of the meet, we contested the Saxon Snatch. Though not Art’s favorite lift, he did comment to me that he would be making the implement when he got home.  Scott’s best in the competition was 100 pounds.  But in a record attempt, he nailed 110 for the all-time record in an attempt that looked effortless.

In the last lift of the day, we did the Hackenschmidt Floor Press. Scott opened very conservatively, but ended with a top lift of 355.  Abe wowed everyone again with a 335 lift at 183 pound body weight.  Heather challenged the guys with her 175 lift.

In the end, Abe’s incredible strength per body weight was insurmountable. Particularly impressive as he had not trained for these specific disciplines.   Heather was the women’s champion.  Results are as follows.

Meet Results:

2016 OTSM Championships
September 10, 2016
ET’s House of Stone
Turney, MO

Meet Director: Eric Todd

Officials: Eric Todd, Lance Foster, Denny Habecker

Lifts: Thor’s Hammer, Hackenschmidt Floor Press, Saxon Snatch, Dinnie Lift

Lifter Weight Age Dinnie Thor’s Saxon Hacken Total Ajd Age Adj Place
Eric Todd 259 41 700 55 105 400 1260 983.808 1003.484 2
Dean Ross 253.5 73 400 30 65 215 710 558.912 748.942 5
Denny Habecker 196.5 73 350 25 55 215 645 581.468 779.166 4
Art Montini 176 88 230 12.5 30 100 372.5 358.047 533.49 9
Lance Foster 340 50 480 32.5 60 175 747.5 511.664 567.947 8
Ben Edwards 231 41 500 55 80 245 880 726.528 741.059 7
Greg Cook 254 59 600 40 70 225 935 735.097 882.116 3
Scott Tully 356.5 40 600 40 100 355 1095 733.76 741.2 6
Abe Smith 183 37 650 30 80 335 1095 1028.315 1028.315 1
Heather Gardner 215 35 400 25 65 175 665 570.437 570.431 1
Extra attempts for record Lifter Weight
Hackenschmidt Floor press Dean Ross 225
Dinnie Lift Heather Graham 480
Thor’s Hammer Eric Todd 60
Saxon Snatch Scott Tully 110

All weights recorded in pounds.

1 2