USAWA

This year’s version of the Clark’s Gym Birthday Bash was meant to honor two lifters becoming “seasoned citizens”. However, it was youth that was served and it was good to see some younger and new lifters on the platform. The event attracted 12 lifters from two gyms. The Wenzel Family was on hand and the younger members enjoyed the cake that was served following the lifting. High Country Vigour (and the USAWA) welcomed Joshua Guerin to the platform.

This year the lifts chosen for the event in order of draw were the Jefferson Deadlift, the Clean and Jerk, Dumbbell, One Hand, the Vertical Bar 1″, One Hand, the Anderson Press, and the Peoples Deadlift.

In the Women’s Division, K VanWagner and Janet Thompson battled for the top spot, each setting three new age and weight records or all-weight records. While Janet lifted 16 pounds more, it was KVW coming out ahead by 26 Lynch points adding this event to her list of meet titles. KVW was impressive in the one hand dumbbell Clean and Jerk and Anderson Press. Janet Thompson was also impressive in the Anderson Press and in the Vertical Bar one hand deadlift as well. In spite of a third place finish, Allison Lupo lifted the most raw weight and was the only lifter, men or women, to set records in all five events. At 280 pounds on the People’s deadlift, she was nearly the 7th female to hit 300 lbs in this lift. Last, but not least, the youngest female lifter, Dylan Wenzel, did great with the Vertical Bar deadlifts (see records).

On the men’s side, it was a father – son duel, and young Riley Wenzel won his first meet title edging dad by just over six Lynch points. Riley was impressive across the board racking up more than 1300 pounds (third most), but his Anderson Press and People’s Deadlift were his best efforts becoming the first Wenzel to make a 500 pound People’s deadlift. But Jeff was not to be outdone and hit the same mark following Riley. Both then added 20 more on the next lift. Jeff set three records and was powerful across all five lifts falling just short of 1500 lbs total, best of the day by far. In third place, it was John Carter who also set two records, one of which was the largest vertical bar lift of the day at 232 pounds. John lifted nearly 1100 lbs which translated into more than 1250 Lynch points. Tony Lupo was good enough to finish fourth place with four new records in a new age group, totaling just over 1200 lbs. Sanjiv Gupta set three records including an impressive 82 pound left handed dumbbell Clean and Jerk, a lift good enough for an all-weight record. Newcomer Joshua Guerin posted two records and was number two in total raw weight lifted at close to 1350 pounds. Finally, Clark’s Gym stalwart David DeForest was on vacation and managed to get two of the five events in where he was staying. The math does not lie and with the pace he was on, David would have finished third or fourth had he been able to access the right equipment.

USAWA has very reasonable expectations for officials.  There is a written rules test and practical experience.  To expand the pool of officials, USAWA has offered video practical experience for Level 1 status and allows officials in other strength federations to carry over that experience.

Level 1 – (16) listed officials, (8) are 2026 USAWA members

Level 2 – (32) listed officials, (18) are 2026 USAWA members

It is quite impressive that over half of the 2026 members have passed the written test or Level 1 or Level 2 officials.

I feel like every athlete should be working towards becoming an official.  First, the open book written exam is a great way to learn about the lifts, commands and how competitions are run.  Second, the USAWA always needs officials for competitions.  With more certified officials, flights can operate smoothly and officials are not stuck officiating and can socialize.  Third, upon achieving Level 2 Status, the official can train aspiring officials.  This helps USAWA grow and expand geographically.

USAWA has an athlete training program for a couple of reasons.  First, it is a requirement for membership in the International All-Round Weightlifting Association.  Second, it ensures fair competition.

Officials are human and may make mistakes.  Early or late down commands are frustrating.  Quick lifts have often been red lighted as press outs.  Overall, it averages out. 

Having a training program minimizes mistakes in commands, points of performance (when do the shoulders need to be erect vs when do the legs need be straight?), is the uniform correct, and is the equipment appropriate for competition.  Having multiple certified officials allows for discussion when the rules are unclear.

Most recently, I was involved in a discussion about vertical bar deadlifts.  The rules state that the legs must be straight and knees locked, but the shoulder and body do not need to be erect.  “The lifting hand must be above the level of mid thighs at the completion of the lift.”  We considered the thigh to start above the kneecap and end at the inseam.  We did not mark the mid-thigh on the athlete’s uniform.  We further decided the hand started at below the wrist and most lifts even with a very wide stance would comply with the rules if the legs were straight and knees locked.

Level 1 – Test Qualified or Experience Qualified – Test Qualified is written test and 3 practical training sessions.  Experience Qualified is 25 practical training sessions.  A training session is sitting in the chair next to an official in the one-official system or being one of three judges in the three-official system.  Practical training could also be done by performing video officiating tests.

Level 2 – Elevate to Level 2 after officiating in 25 competitions.  10 of these competitions must be USAWA and 15 could be taken from another federation at the Officials Director’s discretion.

Full details on officials are in section VII of the rulebook and on the website.

As often happens, occasionally a mistake is made in reading a number or making a typo – or in this case both. Two of Abe Smith’s final lifts were not entered correctly. His Zercher was 365 and was originally typed into my spreadsheet as 340. The Ciavattone Deadlift should have been 435 and was mis-typed as 405. This adds 55 pounds and 56 Lynch and age-adjusted points to his total. Clark’s Gym Team 1 picks up that many points as well adding slightly to their margin of victory. Thank you to the one who caught that.

Frank’s Barbell Club March Madness Challenge and Record Day (scheduled for March 21st) is being postponed until further notice.