Author Archives: Al Myers

Time to Renew

by Al Myers

Hard to believe that another year of the USAWA is coming to an end!  This has been a great year for our organization.  Now is the time to renew your USAWA membership so you can take advantage of a full year’s membership.  I want to remind everyone that membership in the USAWA is for “the calendar year”.  Thus the logical time to renew membership is at the beginning of the year – January FIRST!

I have already started recording the 2020 membership on the membership roster.  Also, I include the “date beside the name” to remind everyone when you joined.  I want there to be “special distinction” of those that register early.  Any registration before January 1st, 2020 will receive that date as their date of registering.  I hope this encourages early registration.

Individual Membership Applications are found at the top of the website in the “About Us” under “forms and applications”.    Please fill out the application fully in ledge-able print, and sign it.  Make checks/money orders out to the USAWA and send them to me (address on form).  Once I receive the application (with the $25 fee), I will list your name on the Membership Roster.  It doesn’t get any easier than that!!!

Denny Habecker – Lifter of the Month

By Al Myers

Denny Habecker, at 77 years of age, setting a new IAWA World Record in the Ciavattone Deadlift with a lift of 125 KG.

Denny Habecker, at 77 years of age, setting a new IAWA World Record in the Ciavattone Deadlift with a lift of 125 KG.

The USAWA Lifter of the Month for November is Denny Habecker, our USAWA President.   Denny just recently traveled to Perth, Australia to compete in the IAWA Gold Cup.  This is a long ways to travel to represent the USAWA in an IAWA competition.  I got to be his travel companion for this trip, and it was a grueling trip.  We were in Australia for only three days while the other 5 were all on the plane.  The flight from Chicago to Auckland lasted 17.5 hours!  Denny is an IRONMAN when it comes to travel – plus add it the travel lag once you get there – it’s amazing he was able to even function, let alone set new World Records!!!

Denny is very deserving of being Lifter of the Month for November.  He does so much to represent the USAWA everywhere he goes.   We are extremely blessed to have him as our USAWA President. Next time you see him give him a big CONGRATS!

Elizabeth Skwarecki – Lifter of the Month

By Al Myers

Elizabeth Zkwarecki - Lifter of the Month for October

Elizabeth Zkwarecki – Lifter of the Month for October

The USAWA Lifter of the Month for October is Elizabeth Skwarecki.  Elizabeth lifted in her first IAWA World Championships in Abilene, KS on October 5th & 6th and was crowned the OVERALL BEST WOMEN’S LIFTER.  This is an impressive accomplishment for someone entering their first All Round World competition!  It made her a very easy choice for Lifter of the Month.

Congratulations Elizabeth!  I look forward to seeing your continual involvement in future USAWA events.

 

Dino Gym Challenge

By Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT –

The Dino Gym Challenge presents the:

“Legends and Leaders Showcase”

The annual Dino Gym Challenge has always been the meet to launch the USAWA meet calendar for the new year. Every year I try to come up with a new meet theme to keep this meet a new and exciting challenge for everyone.

This year the theme is the “Legends and Leaders Showcase”.

The two “legends” I have chosen to honor in this challenge are Wilbur Miller and Ed Zercher.  Both of these guys competed in All Round Weightlifting BEFORE there was the USAWA – when All Round Weightlifting was known as Odd Lifting.  They “paved the way” to the formation of the USAWA, and their influence is still felt on our sport today.  How many times have we done the Zercher Lift in competitions?  MANY!  We have Ed Zercher to thank for that.  Wilbur Miller was way ahead of his time when it came to All Round Weightlifting.  Most remember Wilbur for his powerlifting excellence, especially when it came to a big deadlift.  But Wilbur was way more than just a powerlifter – in fact he excelled at ALL types of lifting.  He competed in Olympic Weightlifting as well in addition to his All Round Weightlifting.  He also was a top notch grip lifter.  He was the man who could do it all when it came to strength!

The two “leaders” that I have picked to honor in this challenge are Denny Habecker and Frank Ciavattone. Just like Ed and Wilbur being the pioneers of All Round Weightlifting, Denny and Frank have been the men that have led the USAWA throughout the history of the organization.  We wouldn’t have the USAWA if it was not for the leadership of these two outstanding men.  They have promoted meets, recruited new members, served as officers in the USAWA, and have represented the USAWA at the IAWA level above all others.  There are others that have been great leaders in the USAWA – but only Denny and Frank have been doing it since the FORMATION of the USAWA!!!  That’s over 30 years of devotion to the USAWA.

I am very excited about this year’s Dino Gym Challenge.  The four lifts that I picked for the meet are to honor these four great men and to thank them for all they have done for All Round Weightlifting and the USAWA.

MEET DETAILS:

Meet Director:            Al Myers and the Dino Gym 785-479-2264

Meet Date:                 Saturday, January 18th, 2020  1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location:                    Dino Gym, 1126 Eden Road, Abilene, KS 67410

Sanction:                    U.S.A.W.A Memberships cards can be purchased on meet day

Weigh-ins:                  12:00 -1:00 PM the day of the meet

Divisions:                   Depends who shows up

Awards:                     Don’t expect one

Entry Fee:                  None – but please notify me in advance if you plan to attend

Lifts:

Miller Clean and Jerk

Zercher Lift – One Arm

Habecker Lift

Ciavattone  Deadlift

The lifts will be done is this order.

Christopher Lestan – Lifter of the Month

By Al Myers

Christopher Lestan - September Lifter of the Month

Christopher Lestan – September Lifter of the Month

The USAWA Lifter of the Month for September goes to Christopher Lestan, of Frank’s Barbell Club.   Christopher organized the NE Powerlift Meet in September, and not only did all of the work of promoting the meet, but was the Overall Outstanding Lifter of the Meet.  His competition was well attended with several new USAWA lifters in attendance.  Christopher finished off the meet with a 600 pound 12″ Base Deadlift.   He also competed in his first USAWA National Championships over the summer, and has been involved in many other USAWA meets throughout this year.

A big CONGRATS goes to Christopher for being the Lifter of the Month for September!!!

 

1 … 20 21 22 23 24 … 321