Author Archives: Al Myers

One Hand Hacklift (Hack Lift – One Arm)

by Al Myers

George Dick, of Scotland, performing the One Arm Hack Lift at the 2009 IAWA World Championships in Lebanon, PA. George will be in attendance this weekend at the 2012 Championships.

This lift is the “one arm” version of the Hack Lift.  It requires great gripping strength, much like the One Arm Deadlift.

The IAWA Rules for this lift are:

C11. ONE HAND HACKLIFT

The rules of performance for the hacklift apply, except that the entire lift will be performed with one hand, the choice of hand is down to the lifter, but it can not be changed during the lift.

Causes for Failure:
1. Failure to use one hand to complete the lift (the same hand throughout).
2. All other causes for failure are the same as for the hacklift.

C10. HACKLIFT

The rules of performance for the deadlift apply, except that the bar will be placed behind the lifter, and will remain behind throughout the lift. The bar may touch the calves and upper legs as it rises. The bar should be raised in one movement, but should the bar bind against the upper legs it is permissible for the bar to stop while a hip adjustment is made, so long as the bar does not lower during that adjustment.

Causes for Failure:
1. Any lowering of the bar during the lift, as the lifter adjusts, to free from binding on the back of the legs.
2. Raising the bar in a series of jerky, pull movements.
3. All other causes for failure are the same as for the deadlift.

This lift was contested at the past USAWA National Championship.  Some discussion was done after the meet regarding a rule violation that was being allowed in some instances, which involves the bar remaining “behind throughout the lift”.  It is a natural tendency for the bar to want to rotate forward to the side of the arm being used, which makes this a judgement call on the part of the official as to whether it remains behind the lifter .  Some leeway must be given, but this lift is a One Arm Hacklift, not a One Arm Side Bend.  My feeling on making “this call” is the front of a lifters body.  If it rotates forward just slightly, but the bar end is NOT IN FRONT of the lifter then it is a legal lift. Also, the bar must remain behind the lifter THROUGHOUT the lift, thus not allowed to rotate too far forward and then be rotated back into legal position.  This point will be emphasized on meet day.

Another rule infraction that often happens is not standing upright at the end of the lift  (which is different from the One Arm Deadlift).  Since the rules of the Hack Lift apply (which references the rules of the deadlift), a lifter must be standing upright at the completion of the lift.

Two Hands Snatch-2 Inch Bar (Snatch-Fulton Bar)

by Al Myers

Scott Campbell performing a Fulton Bar Snatch at a past Dino Gym Challenge. This is the picture of this lift in the USAWA Rulebook.

Day two of the 2012 IAWA World Championships will “kick off” with the Fulton Bar Snatch. There are some differences in how the IAWA names lifts using the 2 inch non-revolving bar.  IAWA usually uses the description as “2 Inch Bar”  for most 2″ axle lifts whereas the USAWA identifies these lifts as the “Fulton Bar” lifts.   IAWA has only four lifts where the Fulton name is used: One Hand Fulton Deadlift, Two Hands Fulton Deadlift, One Hand Fulton Deadlift,  and the Two Hands Fulton DBell Deadlift.  The Two Hands Fulton Deadlift is done with an overhand grip, ie the same lift as the USAWA’s Deadlift – Fulton Bar, Ciavattone Grip.

The IAWA Rules for the Two Hands Snatch – 2 Inch Bar is:

F21. TWO HANDS SNATCH – 2 INCH BAR  

The rules of performance for the two hands snatch apply, except that the lift is performed using a 2 inch diameter bar. The bar does not have to be the same length as a standard barbell, either between the inside collars or the overall length.
Causes for Failure:    
1. The causes for failure are the same as for the snatch, except that a 2 inch bar is used.

At the Championships this weekend, an IronMind Apollon’s Axle will be used for this lift.  It weighs 15 kilograms. The rules are identical between IAWA and the USAWA for this lift.

Neck Lift Showdown!

by Al Myers

Chad Ullom (left) VERSUS Eric Todd (right) in a Neck Lift Challenge! Will one of these SUPERMEN exceed the 1000 pound barrier?

We are in for a SPECIAL TREAT this weekend at the 2012 IAWA World Championships. The two best Neck Lifters in the WORLD have agreed to have a duel – a NECK LIFT SHOWDOWN! Last year at the 2011 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in York, PA, Chad Ullom became the first man to exceed 900 pounds in the Neck Lift with a lift of 900.  Then this year at the USAWA Heavy Lift Championships in Bowling Green, OH  Eric “ET” Todd broke Chad’s record with a outstanding 905 pound effort.  However, ET’s record didn’t last long, as Chad upped it to 915 pounds at a record day in the Dino Gym this summer.  Well, that didn’t set well with Eric so this challenge was issued! (ok…in reality I set it all up, but it sounds better this way!!!!).  Both of these guys are “on the hunt” to be the first man to break the magical 1000 pound barrier.  Maybe this challenge on this big International stage will bring it out in them?  This will be a good ole’ fashioned ONE ON ONE DUEL, reminiscent of past circus shows between strongmen. 

The greatest Neck Lifter in HISTORY Frank Ciavattone will be on hand to be the head official for this duel.  Frank holds the Guinness WORLD RECORD in the Neck Lift at 808# under the strict judging criteria of Guinness.  This is the link to Frank’s Guinness World Record:  http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-4000/heaviest-weight-lifted-by-neck/ .  This battle will occur right after the finish of Sunday’s competition, while the meets scores are being tabulated. It is something that you will NOT WANT TO MISS!!

Steinborn (Steinborn Lift)

by Al Myers

STEINBORN LIFT

The “finale lift” on DAY ONE  of the IAWA World Championships is the Steinborn Lift.  The Steinborn Lift has a long standing history as a competitive lift with the IAWA.  It has been often contested at World Championships.  It is the TRUE ALL ROUND version of the squat.  But instead of taking the bar from squat stands, you load the bar onto the shoulders from the platform!  Once in that position, the rules of the squat apply until it is time to replace the bar to the floor – and that must be done in exactly the reverse order of the way you loaded it to the shoulders in the first place! It is a very challenging event.  Often for most lifters the “test” of it depends on what can be loaded onto the shoulders – NOT the squat portion.  I know that is the way it has always been for myself.  I have always been able to squat easily with whatever weight I could get from the platform to my shoulders.

The IAWA Rules for the Steinborn Lift is:

E9. STEINBORN LIFT

The rules of performance for the squat apply, except that the lifter has to take the bar from the floor to the shoulders, using a series of movements to get the bar in position, and be ready to receive the signal to squat. Following the completion of the squat and receiving the referees signal to replace the bar, the lifter must again use a series of movements to take the bar back to the lifting surface, under control. To get the bar to the shoulders the lifter will stand the bar on end  and move into a position against the bar so that the bar can fall or be rocked onto the shoulders. The bar can be brought onto one shoulder if desired, but must then be pivoted around and into position across the shoulders at the back of the neck. An aide can assist the lifter by placing a foot against the bottom of the up – ended bar to stop it sliding, both before and after the squat lift.

Causes for Failure:
1. The causes for failure are the same as for the squat once the bar has been received at the shoulders.
2. Failure to replace the bar to the platform in the same manner it was lifted, and under control.

A question on the USAWA Discussion Forum  arose whether spotters could be allowed on the platform while the Steinborn is being executed.  Apparently sometime in the past history of the IAWA this was not allowed.  However, now that is not a violation.  The Steinborn is like any other lift – and the use of spotters is allowed.  But just like any lift, if the spotters assist in any way the lift is not a good lift (except for the assistant which provides the foot to prevent the bar from sliding).   It is a debatable point if using spotters help with safety.  I actually prefer not to have spotters when I’m doing a Steinborn.  Timing and technique has to be perfect  to perform a Steinborn, and it is very easy for the “bar to get away from you”.  If this happens, I would prefer to be able to “dump it” without risking injury to any spotters trying to assist me.  I have seen injuries happen to spotters before with the Steinborn.

Past Worlds Best Lifters

by Al Myers

Last week Andy Tomlin posed this question on the IAWA Facebook Page, “Does anyone have a list of the past Best Lifters at each World Championships?”  I thought this was an EXCELLENT QUESTION considering the upcoming World Championships next weekend.  Of course I knew the answer to this question (all TOP TEN Best Lifters at each World Championships are listed in the history section on this website), but I didn’t answer as to see if anyone else knew the answer.  Then our IAWA President Steve Gardner not ONLY responded with the answer, but provided lots of other information regarding past World Championships!  Steve provided a listing which included past best lifters, as well as the year of the meet, location, meet promoter, and the number of entrants.  Here it is:

YEAR LOCATION PROMOTER BEST LIFTER #
1988  Leicester, England  Frank Allen  Adrian Blindt, ENG  39
1989  Philadelphia, USA  John Vernacchio  Steve Schmidt, USA  46
1990  Glasgow, Scotland  William Wright  Rick Meldon, ENG  28
1991  Philadelphia, USA  John Vernacchio  Adrian Blindt, ENG  51
1992  London, England  Ken Edge  Rick Meldon, ENG  36
1993  Boston, USA  Frank Ciavattone  Frank Allen, ENG  45
1994  Burton, England  Steve Gardner  Frank Allen, ENG  36
1995  Cleveland, USA  Howard Prechtel  Bob Hirsh, USA  42
1996  Glasgow, Scotland  William Wright  Steve Angell, ENG  38
1997  Philadelphia, USA  John Vernacchio  Bob Hirsh, USA  47
1998  Leicester, England  Frank Allen  Keith Murdie, ENG  34
1999  Perth, Australia  Frank Lamp  Mike Archer, ENG  32
2000  Boston, USA  Frank Ciavattone  Steve Angell, ENG  51
2001  Glasgow, Scotland  William Wright  Steve Angell, ENG  29
2002  Lebanon, USA  Denny Habecker  Ed Schock, USA  41
2003  Perth, Australia  Frank Lamp  Bill Kappel, AUS  34
2004  Burton, England  Steve Gardner  Rick Meldon, ENG  42
2005  Lebanon, USA  Denny Habecker  Ed Schock, USA  34
2006  Glasgow, Scotland  George Dick  Al Myers, USA  34
2007  Christchurch, New Zealand  Bruce Savage  Peter Phillips, AUS  18
2008  Tamworth, England  Steve Gardner  Rick Meldon, ENG  36
2009  Lebanon, USA  Denny Habecker  Mark Haydock, ENG  16
2010  Glasgow, Scotland George Dick   Chad Ullom, USA  29
2011  Perth, Australia  Peter Phillips  Steve Sherwood, ENG  22
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