Author Archives: Al Myers

Host Hotel for Worlds

by Al Myers

The host hotel for the 2012 IAWA World Championships in Salina, Kansas - the Ramada Conference Center and Hotel.

The countdown is “under way” for the 2012 IAWA World Championships to be held October 6-7 in Salina Kansas.  It’s now time to get your room booked.  The host hotel in Salina will be the Ramada Conference Center and Hotel.  Some of you might remember this place from a prior event I hosted, as it was the meet venue site for the 2006 USAWA National Championships.  At that time it was a Holiday Inn.  This hotel is a nice place for a good price.  My cohort Scott Tully talked them into giving us a group rate at $61 per night, but to get this rate you must use this code word when making your reservations – “IAWA”.  I hope everyone can remember that one! 

The Dino Training Center (which is the meet venue) is less than a 2 minute drive from this hotel, and you can walk it in only about 5 minutes.  There are lots of great eating places very close as well.  The Ramada even has a big pool inside to let you cool off after a hard day of lifting, as well a bar to get yourself rehydrated!  This rate should also include a free continental breakfast.  The best way to make your reservations is to go to their website and either book it online, or give them a call:

Ramada Conference Center Salina, Kansas

Dan Lurie

by Dennis Mitchell

Dan Lurie

Dan Lurie was born in Brooklyn New York, April 1, 1923.  Doctors soon found that he had a hole in his heart, and told his parents that he would not live very long. However Dan did live. and growing up he took part in the normal activities that boys his age did. At age thirteen he got interested in boxing and started training in order to enter in the Golden Gloves.  A pre-fight exam found that he had a heart murmur and he and was not allowed to compete. It was at this time that he met former boxer turned body builder, Terry Robinson.  Terry convinced him to switch body building.  Not to long after Dan entered his first physique contest and placed last. Not giving up he continued to train and in 1942 entered the AAU Mr.America contest and won Most Muscular, and took a second place. He also won several best body parts.

At the height of 5′ 5.5″ and weighing 165 pounds, he had a 46″ chest (expanded 47.75″), 16.75″ arms, 12.5″ fore arms, 16″ neck, 21.5″ thighs, and 15 5 ” calves.  He was very good at endurance lifting and did 1,665 pushups in ninety minutes, 1,225 parallel bar dips in ninety minutes, and 1,200 pullovers with 55 pounds.  He could leg press 1,230 pounds, and did a back lift of 1,810 pounds.  His most outstanding lift was a 285 pound bent press while weighing 168 pounds.

Dan continued entering the AAU Mr. America Contests, winning most muscular, and body parts but always came in second in the Mr. America. He was then not permitted to enter any further AAU contest as he was declared to be a professional, because his picture was used in some of Joe Weiders ads. Although he could no longer compete, he stayed active as a meet promoter. He opened his first gym in 1943 in Brooklyn New York, and in time had eight gyms in New York and one in Florida.  He also published a magazine called Muscle Training Illustrated.  H also promoted magazines on boxing, wrestling, karate, rock and role music, and a ladies magazine.  Dan once performed on CBS TV on a Saturday morning circus show for children.  He made and sold his own weightlifting equipment along with his body building course. It was Dan who ran the first IFBB (International Federation of Body Builders) contest in New York.  Later the Weider organization used the IFBB in their organization.

I have not been able to find a death notice or current address for Dan. He would be 87 years old.

World Postal LEG 2

by Steve Gardner

ANDY GODDARD CLASSIC IAWA TEAM POSTAL 2012
(scroll down to see leg 1 results)

Al and Chad showing Dino Gym team spirit by drinking a few Mai Tai's in Kauai shortly after completing their World Postal lifts.

Leg Two Results:Lifts: Steinborn – OH C+Jerk – Zercher
Results that were performed before two referees have been submitted for any records to be checked
and ratified!

Headings: Name -Bwt-Class-Age-Division-Steinborn-OH C+Jerk-Zercher- Total-AmendedCoalville

Outcasts – 1 Ref only
Mark Shaw 76.0 80 51 M50+ 85 30 115 230 255.4
Jason Reed 80.0 80 31 Open 75 40 120 235 225.8
Team Total 645 Amend 481.2
————————————————————————————
Powerhouse Gym 1 – 3 refs
Mark Price 91.3 95 47 M45+ 150 57.5R 165 367.5 353.3
James Gardner 89.8 90 28 Open 125 67.5R 175 365.0 328.0
Team Total 730 Amen 681.3
————————————————————————————
Powerhouse Gym 2 – 3 Refs
Graham Saxton 122.8 125 50 M50+ 145 55R 190 390 330.1
Luke Davis 79.2 80 28 Open 115 50R 145 310 299.8
Team Total 700 Amen 629.9
————————————————————————————
Powerhouse Gym 3 – 3 Refs
Paula Delamata 49.4 50 38 Open 55 26.5R 75 156.5 282.6
Calvin Morant Hudson 69.3 70 19 J18/19 110 42.5R 70 222.5 251.1
Team Total 379 Amen 533.7
————————————————————————————
Powerhouse Gym 4 (Just 4 Andy) – 1 Ref only
Steve Gardner 140.1 125+ 55 M55+ 70 45R 100 215 178.5
Karen Gardner 71.1 75 53 LM50+ 40 20R 50 110 167.2
Team Total 325 Amen 345.7
————————————————————————————
W Australia 1 – 3 Refs
Peter Phillips 109.2 110 58 M55+ 145 55R 175 375 360.9
John Mahon 103.8 105 29 Open 145 55R 175 375 311.4
Team Total 750 Amend 672.3
———————————————————————————
W Australia 2 – 3 Refs
Sam Trew 116.0 120 29 Open 155 60R 185 400 313.8
Paul McManus 111.8 115 38 Open 165 50 185 400 319.7
Team Total 800 Amend 633.5
————————————————————————————
Granby Grippers – (1 Ref = Steve) 2 Refs = Daniel
Steve Andrews 70.0 70 53 M50+ 105 50L 142.5 297.5 354.4
Daniel Andrews 65.3 70 16 J16/17 50 25.5L 75.5 151 182.4
Team Total 448.5 Amend 536.8
———————————————————————————–
Tiverton 1 – 3 Refs
Mark Rattenberry 64.0 65 50 M50+ 60.4 29.9L 140.4 230.7 284.2
Gary Ell 85.1 90 41 M40+ 105 52.9R 140 297.9 280.4
Team Total 528.6 Amend 564.6
————————————————————————————
Tiverton 2 – 3 Refs
Tom Perry 87.7 90 22 Open 102.3 60.4 R 150.4 313.3 285.3
Patrick Burt 72.5 75 24 Open 60 37.9L 92.9 190.8 194.9
Team Total 504.1 Amend 480.2
———————————————————————————–
Tiverton 3 – 3 Refs
Tom Cleverley 76.4 80 21 Open 100 47.9 R 120.4 268.3 265.2
Axel Amos 83.6 85 24 Open 115 50.4R 130.4 295.8 276.9
Team Total 564.1 Amend 542.1
———————————————————————————-
Castlemilk Expendables 1 – 2 Refs
Matt Finkle 66.5 70 46 M45+ 80 40R 122.5 242.5 280.5
Andy Tomlin 91.5 95 44 M40+ 80 55R 150 285 266.1
Team Total 527.5 Amend 546.6
——————————————————————————–
Castlemilk Expendables 2 – 2 Refs
George Dick 128.2 125+ 63 M60+ 100 35R 115 250 231.5
——————————————————————————–
Habeckers Gym USA – 1 Ref
Denny Habecker 86.1 90 69 M65+ 80 32.5R 80 192.5 237.4
Mo. Aqeel Afzal (Guest) 120.5 125 Open 81 41 R 111 233.0 179.3
Team Total 425.5 Amend 416.7
———————————————————————————–
Dino Gym USA – 1 Ref
Chad Ullom 112.0 115 40 M40+ 182.5 63.5R 201.9 447.9 361.2
Al Myers 109.3 110 45 M45+ 155 65.8R 201.9 422.7 362.3
Team Total 870.6 Amend 723.5
———————————————————————————–

LEG TWO TEAM RESULTS TOP TEN
Team Country – Amended Team Total

Dino Gym USA 723.5
Powerhouse 1 ENG 681.3
W Australia 1 AUS 672.3
W Australia 2 AUS 633.5
Powerhouse 2 ENG 629.9
Tiverton 1 ENG 564.6
Castlemilk Expendables 1 SCO 546.6
Tiverton 3 ENG 542.1
Granby Grippers ENG 536.8
Powerhouse 3 ENG 533.7

Lifters Rankings Second Leg Top Ten Lifters
Name – AmendedTotal

Al Myers 362.3
Chad Ullom 361.2
Peter Phillips 360.9
Steve Andrews 354.4
Mark Price 353.3
Graham Saxton 330.1
James Gardner 328.0
Paul McManus 319.7
Sam Trew 313.8
John Mahon 311.4

IAWA WORLD TEAM POSTAL ALL ROUND COMPETITION – FINAL RESULTS AFTER THE TWO LEGS:
FINAL Team Rankings After Two Legs:Team Country Leg 1 Leg 2 Grand Amended Total

1st Dino Gym USA 801.8 723.5 1525.3
2nd Powerhouse 1 ENG 745.8 681.3 1427.1
3rd Powerhouse 2 ENG 689.1 629.9 1319.0
4th W Australia 1 AUS 641.0 672.3 1313.3
5th Tiverton 1 ENG 627.7 564.6 1192.3
6th W Australia 2 AUS 558.4 633.5 1191.9
7th Granby Grippers ENG 602.9 536.8 1139.7
8th Castlemilk Expendables 1 SCO 582.2 546.6 1128.8
9th Powerhouse 3 ENG 592.8 533.7 1126.5
10th Tiverton 2 ENG 580.8 480.2 1061.0
1th Tiverton 3 ENG 513.0 542.1 1055.1
12th Coalville Outcasts ENG 498.8 481.2 980.0
13th Habeckers Gym USA 552.9 416.7 969.6
14thPowerhouse 4 (Just 4 U Andy) ENG 446.8 345.7 792.5
15thCastlemilk Expendables 2 SCO 525.0 231.5 756.5
16th Hoghton Barbell ENG 614.3 — 614.3

Lifters Final Rankings after 2 Legs
Top Ten amended Totals:

Name Leg 1 Leg 2 Total
Al Myers 426.3 362.3 788.6
Mark Price 387.0 353.3 740.3
Chad Ullom 375.5 361.2 736.7
Steve Andrews 376.0 354.4 730.4
James Gardner 358.8 328.0 686.8
Graham Saxton 355.1 330.1 685.2
Peter Phillips 321.9 360.9 682.8
Luke Davis 334.0 299.8 633.8
John Mahon 319.1 311.4 630.5
Sam Trew 295.5 313.8 609.3
Gary Ell 321.4 280.4 601.8
Mark Rattenberry 306.3 284.2 590.5
Tom Perry 304.9 285.3 590.2
Paul McManus 262.9 319.7 582.6
Paula Delemata 292.8 282.6 575.4
Matt Finkle 289.9 280.5 570.4
Denny Habecker 324.9 237.4 562.3
Andy Tomlin 292.3 266.1 558.4
Thomas Cleverley 265.1 265.2 530.3
Axel Amos 247.9 276.9 524.8
Mark Shaw 242.2 255.4 497.6
Calvin M. Hudson 233.0 251.1 484.1
George Dick 251.8 231.5 483.3
Jason Reed 256.6 225.8 482.4
Patrick Burt 275.9 194.9 470.8
Steve Gardner 240.7 178.5 419.2
Daniel Andrews 226.9 182.4 409.3
Mark Haydock 381.3 — 381.3
Karen Gardner 206.1 167.2 373.3
John Gardner 300.0 — 300.0
Jim Madden 273.2 — 273.2
Rudy Bletscher 228.0 — 228.0
Mo. Aqeel Afzal — 179.3 179.3

TOP LIFTER IN EACH DIVISION TO COMPLETE THE COMPETITION

Top Junior Lifter: Calvin Morant Hudson
Top Female Open Lifter: Paula Delemata
Top Female Master Lifter:Karen Gardner
Top Open Class Lifter: James Gardner
Top Masters 40+ Lifter: Chad Ullom
Top Masters 45+ Lifter: Al Myers
Top Masters 50+ Lifter: Steve Andrews
Top Masters 55+ Lifter: Peter Phillips
Top Master 60+ L:ifter: George Dick
Top Master 65+ Lifter: Denny Habecker

THE IAWA WORLD TWO MAN TEAM ALL ROUND
WEIGHTLIFTING POSTAL CHAMPIONS

The Dino Gym – USA Team Members: Al Myers and Chad Ullom
Congratulations to Al and Chad!

THE IAWA NATIONS CUP
The Top Two Teams from each Country Count towards the ‘ Nations’ Team Score
(1st Place = 15pts, 15th Place = 1pt etc.Results of Leg One and Leg Two Combined:)

1 ENGLAND 52 Points
2 AUSTRALIA 43 Points
3 USA 38 Points
4 SCOTLAND 22 Points

NEW LIFT – Bench Press with the Fulton Bar

by Al Myers

It is always exciting to get new lifts in the USAWA.  At the Annual National Meeting in Las Vegas, this new lift was passed by the membership: Bench Press – Fulton Bar.  It was presented to the Executive Board for review last spring by Dino Gym member Scott Tully.  A year ago it was passed by the membership that ALL new Fulton Bar lifts MUST be approved to become official lifts of the USAWA, just like any other new proposed lift.   Scott just wondered why the common Bench Press was not represented, as several of the other common lifts (ie Snatch, Clean and Jerk, Deadlift, Clean and Push Press Continental to Chest, Maxey Press, etc)  were represented in our official lifts listing.  He made a great point – so now welcome the Bench Press to the list of Fulton Bar Lifts.

The official Fulton Bar lifts now stand at 13 lifts and include a good representation of all round lifts.  For those not familiar with the fulton bar terminology, the fulton bar is defined in the USAWA Rulebook as a 2″ bar with these specifications:

  • The diameter of the bar must be a minimum of 1 15/16 inches.
  • The bar may be a pipe or a solid steel shaft.
  • There must be no rotation to the sleeves of the bar.
  •  The minimum distance between the inside collars is 51 inches.
  • The maximum distance between the inside collars is 58 inches. 
  • The minimum total length must not be less than 7 feet.
  • There must not be any knurling on the bar.
  • The weight of the bar must be clearly marked.
  • The bar must be straight.

Now for the Official USAWA rule on the Bench Press – Fulton Bar:

Bench Press – Fulton Bar: The rules of the Bench Press apply except a Fulton Bar is used.

That’s it!!!  Pretty simple rule.   The only confusion may arise concerning whether the feet should “be in the air” (following the rule of the Bench Press – Feet in Air), which they do not.  If fact, that would be technically illegal to perform this new lift that way, as the rules of the Bench Press require the feet to be flat on the floor without movement.  Now let’s add some records to the Record List in the Fulton Bar Bench Press!!!!

More on Knee Sleeves

by Al Myers

In today’s blog,  the IAWA President Steve Gardner revealed a poll concerning the use of knee sleeves in the IAWA, of which the USAWA is a part of internationally.  This issue was brought forward at the USAWA National Meeting in Las Vegas, and a motion was made and passed to refer it the IAWA Technical Committee to evaluate the “pros and cons” of it before presentation at the IAWA World Meeting in Salina this fall, for the IAWA membership to vote and decide.  I felt this was the right move, as I have said, this issue is WAY BIGGER than the USAWA, and ALL countries should have a vote in it.  If the USAWA allowed knee sleeves while everyone else in the IAWA didn’t, USAWA lifters would be lifting with different rules at the IAWA competitions.  And what about World IAWA records?  It would technically make all USAWA events not eligible for World Record consideration if the USAWA allowed knee wraps while the “rest of the World” didn’t. 

I feel the IAWA Technical Committee is doing the right thing here in polling all members of the organization in their feelings on this issue.  That way, it is clear how the membership feels as a whole, not just the membership that is present at the World Meeting.  This makes this poll very important.  Also, this is not an absolute vote for or against the use of knee sleeves, but just a poll to determine how the majority feels.  That way at the meeting the voting membership present will know the true overall feelings of the IAWA membership in helping decide how to vote. 

Steve included a form to fill out and send in.  If you just prefer to email me your opinion on this that is acceptable, even if you are neutral.  I have printed off the membership roster and will mark “yes or no” beside your name.   This is one poll that your vote counts – so if you have feelings on this issue please send me your vote.  I hope to get at least responses from over half the membership.   I will take non-responses as one of two ways – you don’t care one way or the other, or as Bill used to say in his Strength Journal, you are a lifter who is either “DEAD and/or COMATOSE”.

I also welcome commentaries from lifters who have strong feelings one way or the other on this issue.  Please send your comments to me and I will run them on the website.  Take this as an opportunity to lobby for your cause!!!

REMEMBER – the deadline for this poll is the first of September.

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