Author Archives: Al Myers

OTSM in Australia

by Al Myers

The TOP THREE at the Australian International Old Time Strongman Challenge (left to right): Denny Habecker (3rd), John Mahon (1st), and Graham Saxton (2nd).

The TOP THREE at the Australian International Old Time Strongman Challenge (left to right): Denny Habecker (3rd), John Mahon (1st), and Graham Saxton (2nd).

When I was in Australia for the IAWA Gold Cup, meet promoter John Mahon hosted the very first International Old Time Strongman Challenge following the meet.  I was very excited to see this – as OTSM was started in the USAWA 5 years ago and now other countries in IAWA are getting interested in it.  The founding concept of OTSM is to bridge strongman with All Round Weightlifting by contesting lifts/movements that were favorites of famous Old Time Strongmen and contest them by following the basic format of a weightlifting meet instead of a strongman competition. This means having lifts that can be loaded with the weight of the lifter’s choosing, and allowing 3 attempts to accomplish a max. Also as part of these OTSM lifts rule infractions in the rulebook are a minimum and a lifter is on a 1 minute clock to perform a legal lift.

This was a truly international OTSM challenge. Lifters from Australia, England and the USA took part.  The challenge had a good variety of lifts with the Anderson Squat, the Apollon’s Lift, and the People’s Deadlift being the events contested.  The venue was outside on the lawn of the Belmont Club.  It was a beautiful sunny day for the competition which added to the enjoyment of lifting. Very rarely do you get a chance to lift outside.  It’s a special moment when that does happen.

Steve Gardner was appointed the head official and I assumed the role of timekeeper.  The Anderson Squat was the first event.  John had perfect stands for this event which allowed the plates to be rested on elevated stands.  Graham “Big Red” Saxton took control early with a big 260 KG Anderson Squat! John Mahon put up the biggest Anderson Squat with a 300 KG.  For the Apollon’s Lift, Peter Phillips had made up a beautiful set of replica Apollon’s Wheels for the event.  This made this OTSM event even more authentic! Denny Habecker “Steinborned” the axle to achieve a very fine lift of 56 KG’s. Newcomer Alex Biason performed a very solid 81 kilograms in the Apollon’s Lift.  The People’s Deadlift was very exciting.  I knew beforehand several of the lifter’s would be very close in poundage and it would be a showdown for top lift. Indeed it turned out that way.  Alex hit 215 KG followed by Graham at 225.  John and Peter finished off tied with 250 KG each.

Peter Phillips performing an Apollon's Lift on a set of replica Apollon's Wheels he had made specifically for this event.

Peter Phillips performing an Apollon’s Lift on a set of replica Apollon’s Wheels he had made specifically for this event.

When all the dust settled, John Mahon came out as the overall champion, followed by Graham Saxton in second, and the USAWA OTSM reigning champion Denny Habecker in third.  I was very pleased to see  all participating countries represented in the top three in the inaugural international Old Time Strongman Challenge.  An award was given to the lifter with the top total poundage, and that also went to John with a 656 total.

I was so impressed with this event following the Gold Cup that I plan to  host the second international OTSM Challenge following the Gold Cup next year during my promotion.

MEET RESULTS

2015 International OTSM Challenge
November 29th, 2015
Belmont Sports and Recreational Club
Perth, Australia

Meet Promoter: John Mahon

Head Official: Steve Gardner

Scorekeeper: Sharni Clifford

Lifts: Anderson Squat, Apollon’s Lift, People’s Deadlift

Lifter Age BWT SQ Apo DL TOT PTS
John Mahon 32 115.8 300 106 250 656 515.1
Graham Saxton 53 121.0 260 71 225 556 486.9
Denny Habecker 73 89.9 160 56 172.5 388.5 467.4
Alex Biason 48 118.2 230 81 215 526 445.6
Peter Phillips 62 104.5 120 66 250 436 443.8

 

Belmont Heavy Events

by Al Myers

Al Myers throwing the 56# Weight over the bar in Perth, Australia.

Al Myers throwing the 56# Weight over the bar in Perth, Australia.

When I was in Australia for the IAWA Gold Cup, meet promoter John Mahon organized a couple of other competitions in the days following the Gold Cup.  This made a full weekend of competition activities for our enjoyment!  The day after the Gold Cup a Heavy Events competition was contested at the Belmont Athletics Club.  The Highland Games were a major passion of mine for 20 years.  Between the ages of 20 and 40 I competed in over 300 games all over the US and Scotland, but NEVER in Australia!  I have been “retired” from the Highland Games for the past 10 years, but when John presented me with this unique opportunity to throw the heavy weights and turn a caber in Australia I couldn’t pass it up!  I knew I would be a “little rusty” since I have barely touched a throwing weight for 10 years, but once I got started it was alot like riding a bike – the technique was ingrained into my nervous system and I felt just like the “old days”.  Now others things have left me (like my speed, power and explosion!), but  when I picked the caber I felt solid with it technique wise and was able to turn it!  I even got to compete in the Masters Class which I have never done before in the games.  I had a GREAT TIME!  I really enjoyed the friendly competition I had with the Perth Powerhouse Peter Phillips.  We spent much of the day bantering with each other, but both of us gave it all we had. Days like this one make me remember why I love the Highland Games so much! There were a couple of young throwers in the open class that have unreal ability. I hope that they “stick with it” because both of them could have a bright future as the next great Australian Highland Gamer.

Thanks John and “the crew” for hosting this event. Who knows? It might inspire me to come out of retirement and hit the Highland Games circuit next year!

Gold Cup

by Al Myers

Group picture from the 2015 IAWA Gold Cup in Perth, Western Australia.

Group picture from the 2015 IAWA Gold Cup in Perth, Western Australia.

I’m finally back home and adjusting to the time changes from my recent trip to Perth, Australia competing in the IAWA Gold Cup.  It’s a long ways to travel – but was well worth it as I had an outstanding time there.  Trips like this one creates memories far beyond the meet experience.  I was very fortunate on this meet trip that my wife Leslie and daughter Molly traveled with me. It was the FARTHEST they have ever flown before!  Now for some “reflections” on the 2015 IAWA Gold Cup.

First of all, meet promoter John Mahon did a phenomenal job.  He had carefully planned a three day event for the lifters. The first day consisting of the Gold Cup, the second day consisting of a Heavy Events competition, and the final day consisting of the very first ever international Old Time Strongman Challenge.  I will elaborate more on a later date on the OTSM and Heavy Events events in a blog, as today I want to stay focused on the Gold Cup.  John had a tremendous support group from his fellow Australian All Rounders to put on this event.  I know from my meet promotions that you can’t do it all by yourself – and how important it is to have help from others.  Peter Phillips really “stepped up” to help John.  Peter is a true warrior with the iron and besides being a great lifter, is a great person.  Peter competed ALL THREE DAYS, helped set up and tear down each day, hosted all of us at his house one night for an unbelievable Australian Barbie, took a day to join us for a tour of the farming country, loaded and officiated, and even celebrated his birthday amongst the weekend’s festivities!  Sam Trew has been a very involved lifter in IAWA events these past few years and worked hard “behind the scenes” setting up the competion venues.  Robin Lukosius kept everything organized and on schedule, as well as taking lots of pictures of the events (THANKS Robin for the photos!).  Others Australians very involved in this event were Anne Whitehead and the legendary John Patterson (I plan to do a story later on John).  I was glad to see other Australian lifters like Hercules Perryman, Bill Kappel,  Monica Cook, and others I’m sure I’m forgetting to mention.  The overall hospitality shown by the Australians was superb and way beyond expectations.

Injuries kept several out of the Gold Cup, but the lifting was outstanding. This was a true international event with the USAWA and the IAWA(UK) being in attendance with lifters competing.  My daughter Molly was the youngest lifter and performed great with her lifting. I was actually more nervous when she was on the platform than myself. She set new records in the Clean and Push Press with 55K, and then set the heaviest women’s Front Squat on the books with a 92.5K.  USAWA President Denny Habecker picked a difficult Gold Cup lift with the 2-Bar Deadlift, and after getting some balance issues out of the way in his warmups, lifted a solid 145K.   Veteran English lifter Steve Gardner again showed his strength with his fingers, lifting a big 100 KG in the Middle Fingers Straddle. Steve was busy all day with lifting and announcing the competition.  Karen Gardner looked really on good form with a big Continental Clean.  Graham Saxton rounded out the English crew, and showcased his pulling strength with a big dumbbell deadlift.  I got to spend alot of time over the week with Graham as we were all sharing a rental on a beach house.  Graham probably got more sun exposure than he has for years and kept getting redder as the week progressed.  By the end of our stay we were referring to him as BIG RED!

Peter Phillips breaking the oldest IAWA record on the books in the Feet in the Air Bench Press. He broke a record held by Howard Prechtel which was set in 1989.

Peter Phillips breaking the oldest IAWA record on the books of all the lifters in the Feet in the Air Bench Press. He broke a record held by Howard Prechtel which was set in 1989.

Besides the Howard Prechtel Award, the Australians awarded a couple of special awards which I thought added a special local flare.  Peter Phillips won the Award for breaking the oldest IAWA record on the books with his fine 122.5K Bench Press with feet in air. This record breaking performance broke a mark previous held by a 1989 record of the late Howard Prechtel’s! The Gold Cup was the “brainchild” of Howard’s – and it gives me pleasure to see us recognize his memory every year with it. Records are meant to be broken – and I have always said if it means something to someone to break one of your records that even makes your record even more noteworthy. I’m sure Howard would have liked to see Peter take down this old record of his.   Also – a Wilf Chapman Award was given to the lifter who broke a record by the greatest percentage.  I knew Wilf when he was alive, and he was a dynamic personality.  I found this award to be fitting in his honor, as he was always complaining about the IAWA correction formulas!  The award went to Sam Trew with his record setting performance in the Left Hand Hacklift.

The Gold Cup concluded with a very fine banquet at the Belmont Recreational Center.  Much thanks and appreciation goes to those who prepared this fine meal. Great lifting – great food – great drink – great conversations – the true essence of the IAWA!

MEET RESULTS (PDF) – IAWA Gold Cup 2015

CV OPEN

by Denny Habecker

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT
CV OPEN

Meet Details:

Date of Meet: January 30th, 2016
Meet Director: Denny Habecker

Weigh In Time: 8:30 AM

Start Time: 9:30 AM

Location of Meet:

Chenango High School
1 Chenango Bridge Road
Birghampton, NY 13901

Lifts:

Hang Snatch

One Handed Deadlift

Peoples Deadlift

 

Please contact me in advance if you plan to attend.

 

Sir Lance-A Lot’s RD

by Eric Todd

On Saturday, November 21, several of us gathered at my house to celebrate half a century of life for our good friend Lance Foster by getting together to attack the weights and the USAWA record book at the same time. It ended up being winter for the day, but it was fun and big weights were lifted nonetheless.  4 lifters from 3 states braved the cold to set the following records:

Ben Edwards     40 yrs    241#
Left hand 2” V-bar 205#
R’s Hammer 35#

Eric Todd    40 yrs    251#
Finger lift Right little         85#
Finger Lift Left Little 85#
Finger Lift Right Thumb 85#
Finger Lift Left Thumb 85#
Finger Lift Right Ring 155#
Finger Lift Left Ring 115#
Finger Lift Left Middle 150#

Lance Foster    50yrs     335#
Kennedy Lift        365#
Push Press From Rack      155#
Fulton Bar Jefferson 255#

Dean Ross     73yrs     256#
Finger Lift Right Middle 85#
Finger Lift Right Ring 65#
Deadlift Fingers little        95#
Deadlift Fingers Index      135
Deadlift Fingers Ring 115#
Deadlift Fingers  Middle  145#
Harness Lift 1010#

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