Author Archives: Al Myers

USAWA History – 2009 Nationals

by Al Myers

A full meet report of the 2009 USAWA National Championships is available on the website:  https://www.usawa.com/national-championships/

MEET RESULTS

2009 USAWA National Championships
June 20th, 2009
Dino Gym
Abilene, Kansas

Meet Director: Al Myers
Scorekeeper: Scott Tully
Loaders: Darren Barnhart, Ryan Batchman
Officials: Bill Clark, Thom Van Vleck, Mark Mitchell

Lifts: Snatch – one arm, Cheat Curl, Clean & Jerk – Fulton Bar, Deadlift – 2 Bars, Pullover and Press, Back Lift

Men: Top Ten Placings
1. Al Myers, Kansas
2. Mike McBride, Missouri
3. Chad Ullom, Kansas
4. Joe Garcia, Missouri
5. Randy Smith, Michigan
6. Rudy Bletscher, Kansas
7. Denny Habecker, Pennsylvania
8. Ben Edwards, Kansas
9. Art Montini, Pennsylvania
10. Tim Piper, Illinois

Best Lifter Awards:
Men Overall – Al Myers
Men Open – Al Myers
Men Master – Al Myers
Men Top Total – Al Myers
Men 20-39 Age Group – Mike McBride
Men 40-44 Age Group – Al Myers
Men 50-54 Age Group – Randy Smith
Men 55-59 Age Group – Joe Garcia
Men 65-69 Age Group – Denny Habecker
Men 70-74 Age Group – Rudy Bletscher
Men 75-79 Age Group – Dennis Mitchell
Men 80-84 Age Group – Art Montini

Zottman Curl

by Al Myers

Zottman and his collection of thick shafted bars (photo taken from Atomic Athletic Website).

I know most all-rounders don’t get all “pumped up” about bicep exercises, but Roger’s story the other day involving thick bar training and his mention of George Zottman and the Zottman Curl (from his website link) got me thinking a little about this old-time  exercise and strongman.   George Zottman was a strongman from Philadelphia in the early 1900’s who this lift is named after.  Most gym lifters have never heard of  the Zottman Curl, and it’s benefits.  I did them frequently when I was a “young lifter” but have given them up in recent years as my lifting focus has changed (with less emphasis based on bicep strength and size, especially since my two bicep surgical re attachments!).  I have seen lifters in gyms doing this curl exercise (or a slight deviation of it) and weren’t even aware of George Zottman and this exercise being named after him.  I have also seen lifters “thinking” they were doing Zottman Curls when in fact they weren’t – they were doing hammers curls or supinating curls. 

The method of performing a Zottman Curl is the combination of two steps: 1. the first being a standard standing  dumbbell curl (not a hammer curl) with palms forward during the upward or positive portion of the lift, and 2. turning the dumbbells over at the top 180 degrees so the palms are facing away from the body (reverse grip)  for the downward  or negative portion of the lift.  So you can see this is the combination of two movements.  The Zottman Curl is intended to be done in strict fashion, which is the safe way to do it. It is an “overload” exercise on the forearms, especially on the brachioradialis muscle.  George Zottman is said to have done this curl with 50 pound dumbbells for repetitions.  I feel this exercise is more a forearm exercise than a bicep brachii exercise, however, the benefits to the biceps muscle is there. The downward portion with the reverse grip is like a “negative”, since you can curl much more with a dumbbell with an underhand grip than you can reverse curl a dumbbell with an overhand grip (if done strictly that is!).   When I have done them in the past, I do remember the strain that is put on the elbows, especially when the dumbbells are turned at the top.  That is reason enough NOT to do them!

Interesting exercise about an interesting old time strongman nonetheless.

Now for a question to the readers – does anyone know who it was that originally named the Zottman Curl???

USAWA History – 2008 Nationals

by Al Myers

(The following meet report was written by Bill Clark in the August, 2008 issue of the Strength Journal, Vol. XIX No. 4.)

USAWA NATIONALS

Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2008 – Al Myers won both the open and master classes at the USAWA’s National Championships, but had plenty of competition in what was an embarrassing field of only 11 entrants.

Scott Schmidt, who had lifted a day earlier in the Ohio State Weightlifting Championships, proved to be one tough opponent.  Al used an 1,800-lb. hip lift to total 1,392.5 kilos.  Scott also did an 1,800 lb. hip to total 1,240 kilos. Scott is 55; Al “only” 42.  The age difference gave Al 1,150.0 points to Scott’s 1,115.05.

The battle for third place was a nail-biter.  Chad Ullom,  Myers’s running mate, had lost 50 pounds in the past nine months and came into the meet at 99.7 bwt.  He wound up with a total of 1,240 kilos, matching Schmidt, but a total newcomer, who called two days before the meet for permission to enter, slipped past Chad for the third spot.

Andy Durniat, 28, from Wooster, Ohio, weighed in at 100.5 kg., only 8/10 of a kilo heavier than Chad, then proceeded to make a 1,700 lb. hip and beat Chad by 20 kilos in total with 1,260 and take third in points with 1,064.57 to Chad’s 1,052.14.

Jim Malloy, 67, was the fifth best lifter with 988.21 points.

Andy not only came with a big hip lift, he blew everyone away in the one-hand deadlift – with both hands, no less.  His third lift in the meet was 185.0 kilos with his left hand.  He then continued on with record lifts, doing 195.0 kg. with his right and 200.0 kg. with his left.

If memory is correct, Andy, in his first effort for record, became the first person since Joe Nanny in the mid-1960’s to break 400 pounds with each hand on the same day.

A second newcomer, Don Bisesi, a 36-year-old from North Olmsted, Ohio, lifted in the 75-kg. class and finished seventh overall, primarily because he was not familiar with the hip lift.  That will change.  Don was eager to learn more.

From the absolute disappointment of the embarrassingly small field, we found gold.  Both new lifters have a chance to become USAWA champs for many years to come.

MEET RESULTS

2008 USAWA National Championships
August 3rd, 2008
Ohio State Fair
Columbus, Ohio

Meet Director: Dennis Mitchell and Megan Tornstrom DeFourny of the
Columbus Weightlifting Club
Emcee: Bill Clark
Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker
Loaders: Zach Beadle, Brandon Rhines, Bob Davis, Paul Stey
Officials: Bill Clark, Denny Habecker, Art Montini, Jim Malloy, Dale Friesz, Al Myers, Chad Ullom, Dennis Mitchell, Scott Schmidt

Lifts: One-Arm Clean & Jerk, Pullover & Push, Zercher, One-Arm Deadlift, Hip Lift

Men: Top Ten Placings
1. Al Myers, Kansas
2. Scott Schmidt, Ohio
3. Andy Durniat, Ohio
4. Chad Ullom, Kansas
5. Jim Malloy, Ohio
6. Denny Habecker, Pennsylvania
7. Don Bisesi, Ohio
8. Dale Friesz, Virginia
9. Art Montini, Pennsylvania
10. Dennis Mitchell, Ohio

Best Lifter Awards:
Men Open – Al Myers
Men Master – Al Myers

Gold Cup

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT – 2012 GOLD CUP

Members of the Castlemilk Gym Club at the 2010 IAWA World Championships, which they hosted.

I’m very excited to finally announce the plans for this year’s IAWA Gold Cup, to be held at the Castlemilk Community Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.  I have been to the Castlemilk Gym a few times now, and each experience has been a very enjoyable time!  They have a very active all-round lifting club, with members that are very enthused about All Round Weightlifting. The promoters of this year’s Gold Cup are Andy Tomlin and Matthew Finkle (as listed on the entry form), but I know the promotion of this will be an entire club affair, so no details will be left unattended.  This is the FOURTH time that the Castlemilk Gym Club has hosted the Gold Cup ( also in 2009, 2004, & 1999).  David McFadzean was the promoter in 2009 and Willie Wright was the promoter in 2004. 

One “special addition” to this year’s Gold Cup will be a CHALLENGE EVENT.  This idea was the “brainchild” of Andy Tomlin and myself after last year’s Gold Cup in England at the awards banquet (after a few too many if I may say…).   A debate ensued  involving which country had the best One-Arm Deadlifters, one thing lead to another, and a challenge was made. We decided it could only be decided on the platform – thus this year’s Gold Cup Challenge of the TEAM TWO MAN ONE HAND DEADLIFT CHALLENGE.  

Another very nice addition to this year’s Gold Cup is the day trip to the see the Dinnie Stones the day following.  The Castlemilk Gym Club is making all the travel arrangements for this trip.  The cost is 15 pounds, which is to defray the expenses of renting a van and fuel.  So if you also want to get your chance at lifting the Dinnie Stones – this is your opportunity!! 

MEET DETAILS

Event: 2012 IAWA Gold Cup

Venue:  Castlemilk Community Centre, Glasgow, Scotland

Meet Promoters:  Matthew Finkle and Andy Tomlin

Date:  November 3rd, 2012

ENTRY FORM (word document): 2012 Gold Cup Entry Form

ENTRY FORM (pdf):  2012 Gold Cup Entry Form

USAWA History – 2007 Nationals

by Al Myers

(The following meet report was written by Bill Clark in the August, 2007 issue of the Strength Journal, Vol. XVIII No. 4.)

USAWA NATIONALS

Ed Schock won the best lifter title at the USAWA Nationals in Lebanon, Pa., on July 7, but he had plenty of competition from both Al Myers and John Monk and he got a break when Al broke his wrist.

Ed was lifting in the 100.0-kg. class of the 50-54 age group.  He came up with a 685-kg. total good for 680.30 Lynch points adjusted by age. Myers had the best poundage as a 115.0-kg. lifter in the 40-44 age group with an 815.0 total, but age made a difference. Al had an age-adjusted total of 653.74 points.

Monk was close behind with 644.39 points.  John, a new member of the 40-44 age group, totaled 637.5 kilos and had a point total of 644.39.  He was in the 80.0-kg. class.

Elizabeth Monk was the only female lifter and the 11-year-old had a great day with a 502.29 total. (points, that is.)

Myers was in the lead until he dropped a pullover and push.  The wrist was broken, but he was able to continue in the Arthur Lift and the one-hand deadlift, thus managing to barely stay ahead of Monk.

Denny Habecker and wife Judy did their usual excellent meet administration and it was disheartening to see only 20 lifters show.  The Habeckers send thanks to Rex Monahan whose large entry fee allowed the meet to break even.

MEET RESULTS

2007 USAWA National Championships
July 7th, 2007
Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Meet Director: Denny Habecker
Emcee: Bill Clark
Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker
Loaders: Terry Barlet, John Horn, Don Brandt
Officials: Denny Habecker, Jim Malloy, John Vernacchio, Barry Bryan, Art Montini, Dennis Mitchell, John McKean

Lifts: One-Arm Clean & Jerk, Clean and Press Heels Together, Stiff Legged Deadlift, Pullover & Push, Arthur Lift, One-Arm Deadlift

Men: Top Ten Placings
1. Ed Schock, Pennsylvania
2. Al Myers, Kansas
3. John Monk, Pennsylvania
4. Randy Smith, Michigan
5. Chad Ullom, Kansas
6. Denny Habecker, Pennsylvania
7. John McKean, Pennsylvania
8. Jim Malloy, Ohio
9. Art Montini, Pennsylvania
10. Bob D’Angelo, Pennsylvania

Women: Top Placing
1. Elizabeth Monk, Pennsylvania

Best Lifter Awards:
Women Overall – Elizabeth Monk
Women Junior – Elizabeth Monk
Men Junior – James Gilligan
Men 20-39 Age Group – Chad Ullom
Men 40-44 Age Group – Al Myers
Men 45-49 Age Group – Paul Montgomery
Men 50-54 Age Group – Ed Schock
Men 60-64 Age Group – Denny Habecker
Men 65-69 Age Group – Jim Malloy
Men 75-79 Age Group – Art Montini
Men Master – Ed Schock
Men Open – Al Myers

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