USAWA

by Sanjiv Gupta

In Part I and Part II, I presented my understanding of age and weight correction history. Part III
explored the categories of lifts and whether Age Adjusted Lynch Factor totals could reasonably
compare heavy lifts and special equipment lifts being contested in the same event.
Part IV will take a look at a gender adjustment to compare the entire field, and then Part V will conclude the series with a satirical look at other potential correction factors such as
height, training age, limb lengths and hand size.

Until recently, women and men competed in USAWA in separate fields. In small events, women often find
themselves without another competitor and unable to enjoy an exciting competition. Could women and men compete in a combined field with only the (Age Adjusted) Lynch Factor?

I would argue that depending on the lift, women and men could compete fairly in a combined
field without an additional multiplier. However, lifts that are driven by upper body muscle mass, women should receive an additional multiplier.

From a laypersons perspective I also see the following:

• Women 13 and under would not need a correction.
• Master’s women would need a larger correction than 1.33 to compete with master’s
  men.
• Junior women 14-18 and senior women have the strongest case for a flat multiplier.

IAWA uses a 1.33 gender multiplier to increase the adjusted total for a lift
performed by a woman and can then compare total adjusted poundage to crown an overall
winner. This 1.33 was adopted by the USAWA in 2024 and I am curious to see how the addition
to official scoring will affect meets. The obvious hope is that participation in all around increases
and we have more exciting competitions.

USAWA (Age Adjusted) Lynch Factor – Part V

Part V concludes the series with some potential correction factors that would make the lives of
meet directors absolutely miserable.

What about height? Shorter athletes could have an advantage in abdominal raises and the
Allen lift with the shorter lever being activated by the abdominals.

What about training age? Should USAWA offer novice categories? Strongman competitions
often have novice categories with lighter weights to attract new athletes while they are still
learning the movement.

What about limb lengths? The best deadlifters would have short legs and long arms. It is only
fair to provide a multiplier for athletes with long legs and short arms.

What about hand size? The Fulton barbell would feel tiny to an athlete with 9 inch hands and
that athlete should receive a reductive multiplier.