Author Archives: Al Myers

Gold Cup

By Steve Gardner

2018 IAWA GOLD CUP

Group picture from the 2018 IAWA Gold Cup, in Eastbourne, England

Group picture from the 2018 IAWA Gold Cup, in Eastbourne, England

The 2018 Gold Cup is over and we look forward to next years event in Perth Australia. Reflecting on this years event, which was spectacular, and finished with 22 new IAWA World Record Holders, I cant help but think how lucky we are to have such great people amongst our numbers, an International family of All Round Weightlifters who come together and compete in a spirit of goodwill and ready to support one another without question…. and the result is some really fantastic lifting, just as it was yesterday. Everyone is so grateful to Paul Barette and Adrian Pryor for putting on this years Gold Cup, and what a superb event and banquet it was too. Thanks again to everyone who attended from wherever they had travelled, coming together to make it an unforgettable event,and what better fitting end than for Paul Barette to take the Howard Prechtel Award too with an outstanding Strict Bent Press, yes another super event, the 29th Gold Cup!!!

RESULTS (PDF) – 2018 GOLD CUP Results

Minutes From 2018 AGM

By Al Myers, IAWA President

MINUTES FROM THE 2018 IAWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2018 IAWA Annual General Meeting was called to order at the Eastbourne Sports Park at 7:00 PM, Friday by Al Myers, IAWA President on October 5th.  Roll call was taken and these IAWA members were in attendance: Al Myers, Steve Gardner, Steve Andrews, Denny Habecker, LaVerne Myers, Graham Saxton, Judy Habecker, Karen Gardner, Frank Allen, Paul Barette, Steve Moss, and Matt Jones.  A roll call of the IAWA Vice Presidents was done and these VP’s were in attendance: Denny Habecker (USAWA), Steve Gardner (IAWAUK).  These VP’s were not in attendance: Chad Ullum (USAWA), Peter Phillips (Australia), Robin Lukosius (Australia), Cliff Harvey (New Zealand), Jose Jara (Spain).   A moment of silence was held for the late Art Montini. The reading of the 2017 IAWA minutes was done by IAWA General Secretary Frank Allen. Steve Moss moved to accept the minutes, with a second by LaVerne Myers, and the minutes were passed with unanimous vote. Reports from the IAWA Vice Presidents were given. Denny Habecker, from the USAWA, reported that there was no news from the USAWA.  Steve Gardner, from the IAWAUK, reported that competitions were now being held in Ireland.  Peter Phillips, from the ARWLWA, had forwarded a report stating that lots of competitions were being held in Australia.  Graham Saxton moved to accept the reports, with a second by Karen Gardner, and the reports passed with unanimous vote. The report on the World Postal Championships was given by Al Myers, in which it was stated that 42 lifters participated and the postal was a great success.  Paul Barette moved to accept the report, with a second by Denny Habecker, and it passed unanimously. The report of the 2018 Gold Cup was given by promoter Paul Barette.  Paul stated that 24 lifters have entered, and all arrangements were in order. Judy Habecker moved to accept the report, with a second by Karen Gardner, and it passed unanimously. The report from the IAWA Technical committee was next on the agenda, and a report from Dennis Mitchell, the IAWA Tech committee chairman, was read on his behalf which stated no activity has occurred in the technical committee this past year.  LaVerne Myers moved to accept the report, with a second by Matt Jones, and it passed unanimously. A report on the 2019 IAWA World Championships was given by Al Myers.  A full entry form was presented with the dates selected as October 5th and 6th, 2019 to be held in Abilene, Kansas, USA.  The lifts presented are: Day 1 – Reverse Curl, 2H Snatch from Hang, 1H Clean and Jerk, and the 2H Thumbless Deadlft, Day 2 – Pullover and Push, Continental onto Belt, and the Straddle Deadlift with 2” Bar. Matt Jones moved to accept the report, with a second by Steve Moss, and it passed unanimously. A report on the 2019 IAWA Gold Cup was read by Al Myers, on the behalf of Peter Phillips.  Peter stated that plans are underway for the Gold Cup to be held the last weekend of October or the first weekend of November.  Judy Habecker moved to accept the report, with a second by Karen Gardner, and it passed unanimously.  In New Business, Steve Gardner gave a presentation on a new lift he would like proposed to the technical committee, called the Shanks Lift.  Steve described the proposed lift, which is a lift using pin loaders and attached rings to honor Jack Shanks and his lifting of the Dinnie Stones.  Paul Barette moved to have the technical committee evaluate the lift, with a second by Steve Moss.  It passed unanimously.  After review of the tech committee, it will be proposed to the membership at the next meeting.  Cliff Dunlop brought up the situation of how to handle lifts if you are disabled.  Questions were asked on various lifts, and it was concluded that our current lifts are for able-bodied lifters and if a disabled lifter could perform certain lifts with their disability then that is allowed.  Cliff requested that this be looked at further, and thus an Ad Hoc committee was formed, with Cliff being appointed chairman by President Al Myers.  Reports from this committee will be forwarded to the technical committee for evaluation. Steve Gardner moved to form this committee, with a second by Steve Andrews, and it passed with unanimous vote. The next agenda item was submitting bids for the 2020 Championships.  Only one bid was put forth for the 2020 IAWA Worlds, with that coming from Denny Habecker. LaVerne moved to accept the bid, with a second by Steve Andrews, and it passed unanimously.  Only one bid was put forth for the 2020 Gold Cup as well, by Stevie Shanks in Ireland.  Matt Jones moved to accept the bid, with a second by LaVerne Myers, and it passed unanimously.  Words from the 2019 World Championships promoter Paul Barette was given next, in which Paul gave a few reminders for the weekend competition.  Steve Gardner then moved to adjourn the meeting, with a second by Paul Barette. It passed unanimously.  The meeting ended at 7:45 PM.

World Championships

By Steve Gardner

Group picture from the 2018 IAWA World Championships

Group picture from the 2018 IAWA World Championships

The 2018 World Championships was an outstanding event, it was wonderful to see some old faces back on the platform and several new faces too. Everyone did well and the lifting was not just great but terrific!

The organisation was superb and I was so impressed with our members the way they all mucked in and helped each other.

I am grateful to Paul Barette for his unfaltering enthusiasm and support Our oldest competitor this weekend was David Bleay at 84 and the youngest was 16 years old Brandon.

The 2018 Championships was another great event in the long line of brilliant International Competitions hosted by IAWA!

MEET RESULTS – 2018 IAWA World Championships

The Bash is Cancelled

By Al Myers

I just received word from John McKean that Art’s Birthday Bash (for Oct 14th) has been cancelled due to lack of interest.  I have removed it from our Event Calendar.  John told me that the Ambridge VFW is going through some turmoil with the building being sold recently.  The club is still training there, but that may be coming to an end soon.

Please pass the word that Art’s Birthday Bash has been cancelled.

Lifter of the Month – Dave Hahn

By Al Myers

Dave Hahn performing a Hand and Thigh lift at the 2018 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships.

Dave Hahn performing a Hand and Thigh lift at the 2018 USAWA Heavy Lift Championships.

The USAWA Lifter of the Month for May is awarded to Dave Hahn.  Dave made a “comeback” to the USAWA by competing in the USAWA Heavy Lift Championships, hosted by Eric Todd. Dave has been a student of the All Rounds for many years, having competed since the 1960’s.  He placed 2nd Overall in the Heavy Lift Championships, against many great heavy lifters. He put up lifts of 400 in the Neck Lift, 550 in the Hand and Thigh, and 900 pounds in the Hip Lift – and all of those big lifts were done at 81 years of age and 150 pounds bodyweight!!!

Congrats Dave!!!

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