Author Archives: Al Myers

Ciavattone Award

By Al Myers

Al Myers receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

Al Myers receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

One of the highlights from the IAWA Awards Banquet was the presentation of the Ciavattone Award, presented by Frank Ciavattone.  I was extremely honored to have received this award, and it came as a total surprise to me.  It has been many years since the Ciavattone Award has been presented to anyone, but it is an award that I remembered from the “early days” of our organization.  Also,  Steve and Karen Gardner from England received the Ciavattone Award at the banquet – the first time it has been awarded to someone outside of the USAWA.  Steve and Karen are well deserving of this honor.  Both of them have had great influence on the USAWA even though they are IAWA-UK members.  Steve has announced at many, many IAWA events in the states through the years.  His leadership at these competitions are a big part why these meets were so successful.  Karen does so much work for IAWA “behind the scenes”.  I want to point out the reason we have so many pictures on Facebook of these past World Championships are because of her!  That’s a big job at meets to take photos while also competing.  I very much appreciate everything Karen does for us.

Steve and Karen Gardner receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

Steve and Karen Gardner receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

I would like to take today to explain the history of the Ciavattone Award.  This Award is very much dedicated to the memory of Frank’s parents and the influence they had on him, as well as the support they have given to IAWA/USAWA throughout the years. That’s what made receiving this Award so special to me.  My parents have also been tremendously supportive of me in my lifting pursuits thru the years, and I know I have not thanked them enough for this.  I could not have promoted this past Worlds to the success it had without their help.  This is a hard blog for me to write, finding the right words to truly express the significance of the Ciavattone Award.   I have asked Frank to help me  – and the following is part of an email he sent me.  It is a heartfelt message from him, and describes the Ciavattone Award much better than I ever could.

It’s about a lot of things! It started after my Dad passed after he had numerous operations in his 63 years on earth. When he passed this 300lb man went down to 80lbs. And yes NO ARMS OR NO LEGS!  Due to Burgess Disease which attacks the circulatory system. 

He was a true STRONGMAN who never never would let you feel sorry for him. Over the years many of the great men/lifters like Bill Clark, Art Montini, Steve Gardner, Steve Angell, Howard Prechtel, John Vernacchio, Denny Haybecker and the list goes on! All these heroes of mine all met my Dad! As each of them met him and walked away they all had a tear in their eye. It was at this time I knew our sport was no doubt the Greatest Sport! He spent 2+ Years in Korea! Do to his experience of operating a huge “Steam Shovel” Power Shovel he spent a good part of the war on the 38th Parallel and with 100,000 of thousands of casualties (deaths). You can figure out what his job was! I have all the pictures! 
 
On a brighter note we basically were poor but my parents always gave us a wonderful Christmas! But guess who was Santa Claus for the kids even less fortunate than us. You guessed it my Dad! Every Christmas that I can remember my Dad would leave the house for as long as it took and delivered toys to around 100 families! As I got of age I was part of it! A feeling I will never forget!
 
During the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1973 he organized the funeral for any Marine that got killed in action from our County. Also opened our house up for the 38 different Marines who needed a father son relationship before returning to their family. Some lived with us for months! My Mom was there as their mother at those tough times! My Mother came from the same mold! She had her own battles except not being in the war. She took care of my Dad from his first amputation to his passing and not once complained or put him in a Nursing Home! And it doesn’t take a smart person to realize how much she did for him! While fighting Cancer herself! She had Cancer in 6 different areas. Up until her passing July 4th this year she continued her strength, courage and leadership while coping losing a grandson and one of her daughters but also mothered my other 3 sisters and brother plus myself as we all battled Cancer! Through her strength we are survivors!
They both were the TRUE meaning of COURAGE! While all this they showed LEADERSHIP by opening their home to all, especially the USAWA & IAWA LIFTERS. They LOVED all the lifters from here USA or abroad! They made sure they had a place to sleep and plenty to eat! A truly mutual respect by all! NEVER one complaint and always total respect! At the meets my Dad would Referee even without limbs and my Mom would make sure all were fed even if she came from Radiation or other treatments! This kind of covers what the CIAVATTONE AWARD is about! I could write a book on all they have done Humanity! 
I think you will agree it covers:
1. Leadership 
2. Loyal to the sport of All-ROUND LIFTING WORLD WIDE
3. And the main theme! “COURAGE “ “365 DAYS A YEAR”
I want to thank Frank for sharing these personal thoughts of his with us.  It had to be a difficult thing to do, as he reflected on the true meaning of the Ciavattone Award. I know I speak for all of us when I say that Frank himself also exemplifies the qualities listed above. The past Ciavattone Award recipients are as follows:
USAWA:
Howard Prechtel
Noi Phumachiano
Bill Clark
John Vernachio
Denny Haybecker
Dennis Mitchell
Dale Friez
Rex Monahan
Al Myers
IAWA:
Steve Gardner
Karen Gardner
I plan to keep the Ciavattone Award recipients listed in our history archive on the website so this important award is always remembered. I hope Frank continues presenting the Ciavattone Award in the future to those he feels deserving.  I have received many awards during my days of lifting, but receiving this one means more to me than the others.  I only have two of my lifting awards hanging in my personal office – my USAWA Hall of Fame Award and the Ciavattone Award. That’s how important it is to me.

Shanks Lift

By Al Myers

Stevie Shanks lifting 330 kilograms in the Shanks Lift.

Stevie Shanks lifting 330 kilograms in the Shanks Lift.

At the AGM of IAWA a new official IAWA was accepted by the membership – the Shanks Lift.  This lift was originally proposed last year by Stevie Shanks of Ireland to honor his father, the great Dinnie Stone lifter Jack Shanks.  The IAWA Technical Committee reviewed this lift during this past year, and now, it has become an official lift!

At the Awards banquet following the IAWA World Championships, Stevie became the first IAWA lifter to perform the Shanks Lift.  He lifted an outstanding 330 kilograms!  I was very impressed, considering he did this after two strenuous days of lifting in the World Championships.  I am sure the Shanks Lift will be tried by many IAWA lifters and it will become a very popular lift. The entire crowd who witnessed this first Shanks Lift will never forget watching Stevie hoisting up the weight – as it was a very moving experience.  I will present the official rules on the Shanks Lift very soon in an upcoming blog.

Frank Ciavattone – LIFTER OF THE MONTH

By Al Myers

Frank Ciavattone - USAWA Lifter of the Month for June

Frank Ciavattone – USAWA Lifter of the Month for June

The USAWA LIFTER OF THE MONTH for June is Frank Ciavattone.  Frank had a busy month in the USAWA in June, bringing lifters from his club to compete in the USAWA National Championships in Lebanon, PA.  Frank is an inspiration to everyone in the USAWA for his courage.  He has overcame many serious physical obstacles, and yet he maintains a competitive spirit. At Nationals Frank had just undergone a major surgery shortly before the meet but he still competed and performed in every single lift!

Congrats to Frank on being the June Lifter of the Month!

IAWA MINUTES

By Al Myers, IAWA President

MINUTES FROM THE 2019 IAWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2019 IAWA Annual General Meeting was called to order at the Abilene Civic Center, in Abilene Kansas, at 5:30 PM on Saturday, October 5th by President Al Myers. Roll call was taken and these members were in attendance: Al Myers, LaVerne Myers, Chris Bass, Lance Foster, Steve Sherwood, Thom Van Vleck, Steve Andrews, John Strangeway, Chad Ullom, Stevie Shanks, Paul Barette, Dennis Mitchell, Denny Habecker, Judy Habecker, Frank Ciavattone, Karen Gardner, Steve Gardner, Eric Todd, Peter Phillips, Christopher Lestan, and Charlotte Hughes. Roll call of the IAWA VP’s was done and these VP’s were in attendance: Denny Habecker (USA), Chad Ullom (USA), Steve Gardner (IAWAUK), and Peter Phillips (Australia).  Steve Gardner read the 2018 IAWA minutes on behalf of the IAWA General Secretary Frank Allen. Chad moved to accept the minutes, with a second by Karen, and it passed unanimously. Reports from the IAWA Vice Presidents were given next.  Steve  reported an increase in membership in the IAWAUK.  Peter reported the growth of independent clubs in Australia, as well as complying with the new regulations of organizing the new association. John Mahon has assumed the responsibilities of the IAWA Vice President, previously held by Robin Lukosis.  Judy moved to accept the reports, with a second by Chad, and it passed unanimously. Al gave a report on the success of the 2019 World Postal Championships, with plans to continue it next year.  He emphasized that this World Postal will also continue to be known as the Andy Goddard Memorial Championships.   Chad moved to accept the report, with a second by Denny, and it passed unanimously. Peter gave a report on the upcoming IAWA Gold Cup held in Perth, Australia next month and how the plans are coming along. Paul moved to accept the report, with a second by LaVerne, and it passed unanimously.  The report from the Chairman of the Technical Committee was given next.  Dennis reported that there was nothing to report this year.  The report on next years World Championship was given by meet promoter Denny Habecker.  Denny had proposed these lifts for the 2020 World Championships, which have been already approved by the Technical Committee: DAY 1 – clean and press, one hand snatch, power row, one hand deadlift DAY 2 – cheat curl, pullover and push, 2×2″ vertical bar deadlift.  The meet was proposed for the first of October.  Frank moved to accept the report with the proposed lifts, with a second by Paul, and it passed unanimously. A report on next years Gold Cup was given by joint meet promoters Stevie Shanks and Steve Gardner.  Entry forms and entry information have already been made and plans are fully underway.  Frank moved to accept the report, with a second by Chad, and it passed unanimously.  The first item on New Business was discussion and voting on the new proposed lift, the Shanks Lift.  This lift was brought up at the 2018 meeting and then discussed this past year among the technical committee which supported it fully. Steve G read the rule.  There was no discussion.  Chad moved to accept the Shanks Lift, with a second by Steve A, and it passed unanimously.  At this point Stevie Shanks expressed his appreciation for the acceptance of this lift, and how it meant for his family.  Next, Al asked if there was any new business regarding the Ad Hoc committee formed at last years general meeting led by Cliff Dunlop.  After a few moments of silence, it was assumed that the committee has not moved forward.  Steve G then proposed that the technical committee review a new proposed lift, the two man one hand deadlift.  This lift has been a popular lift in the USAWA, and has been performed before in IAWA as a challenge event at a previous Gold Cup with much success. Paul moved to send this lift to the technical committee for review, with a second by Frank, and it passed unanimously.  Bids for the 2021 IAWA Gold Cup were taken, and the only bid came from Paul Barette to be held in Eastbourne, England.  Peter moved to accept the bid, with a second by LaVerne, and it passed unanimously.  Bids for the 2021 IAWA World Championships were taken, with the only bid coming from Peter Phillips to be held in Perth, Australia.  Peter stated that John Mahon would be joint promoter with him.  Denny moved to accept the bid, with a second by LaVerne, and it passed unanimously.  Al, as promoter of this years Worlds, gave a few words about the weekend championships.  The highlight of his report was when he stated that beer and pizza was going to be available after the meeting free of charge. Judy then moved to adjourn the meeting, with a second by Chad, and it passed unanimously.  The meeting ended promptly at 6:10 PM.

New Hall of Famers

By Al Myers

Dean Ross (left) and LaVerne Myers (right) were inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 National Championships.

Dean Ross (left) and LaVerne Myers (right) were inducted into the USAWA Hall of Fame at the 2019 National Championships.

I am very excited to announce two new USAWA Hall of Fame members.   At the recent National Championships, LaVerne Myers and Dean Ross joined the elite fraternity of the USAWA Hall of Fame.   The HOF is the highest honor one can receive in the USAWA, and both of these two are more than well deserving. LaVerne and Dean have been part of the Dino Gym Club for over 15 years now, and have been mainstay competitors in many USAWA events throughout the years.  I plan to do a full bio for each of them at a future date which I will share on the website.

Congrats to both LaVerne and Dean!!!

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