Author Archives: Al Myers

All Arounders and the Dinnie Stones

By Al Myers

The Dinnie Stones

The Dinnie Stones

After the other days stories on Stevie Shanks and James Gardner and the Dinnie Stones, it got me thinking about how the famous Dinnie Stones have intrigued a number of all around weightlifters.  As I look over the list of accomplished Dinnie Stone lifters I noticed a number of USAWA and IAWA(UK) lifters who have lifted them. Today I want to summarize these all around Dinnie Stone lifters and give them a bit of recognition for this amazing accomplishment. I’m only listing lifters who have them unassisted (without straps) which is the ultimate goal (next to carrying them!).  Also, I’m only including those that have also competed in USAWA or IAWA competitions.

Frank Ciavattone (USAWA) – September 24th, 1996

Nick McKinless (IAWA-UK) – April 4th, 1998

David Horne (IAWA-UK) – April 5th, 1998

Steve Angell (IAWA-UK) – October 8th, 2001

Kevin Fulton (USAWA) – October 8th, 2001

Roger Davis (IAWA-UK) – June 28th, 2009

Chad Ullom (USAWA) – November 4th, 2012

Mark Haydock (IAWA-UK) – November 4th, 2012

Al Myers (USAWA) – November 4th, 2012

Stevie Shanks (IAWA-IRELAND) – October 3rd, 2015

James Gardner (IAWA-UK)- August 6th, 2016

Complete bios and details of these Dinnie Stones lifting accomplishments may be found on the website thedinniestones.com    I consider this now the official website covering the Dinnie Stones.

If I have accidently left someone off this list who has competed in an USAWA/IAWA competition and has lifted the stones, please let me know so I can get them added!

Dino Challenge

By Al Myers

I always knew this would eventually happen – bad weather affecting my Dino Challenge!  And this year it did just that, with a predicted bad ice storm blowing in on meet day.  I had several lifters planning on attending but didn’t because they didn’t want to risk the travel.  I sure don’t blame them.  I’m actually surprised this hasn’t happened before in the over 10 year continuous run of the Dino Challenge in January. But the meet went on to keep the tradition alive.  My dad had only a quarter mile drive to make it, and I was able to walk to the gym!  So it was just the two of us.

Meet Results:

2017 Dino Gym Challenge
Dino Gym
Holland, KS
January 14th, 2017

Meet Director: Al Myers

Officials (1-official system used): Al Myers & LaVerne Myers

Lifts: Deadlift – 2 Inch Dumbbells, Vertical Bar Deadlift  2 bars 2″, Clean and Press 2 Dumbbells, Cheat Curl 2 Dumbbells, Reg Park Bench Press, Deadlift 2 Bars

LIFTER AGE BWT Inch VB C&P CC BP DL TOT PTS
Al Myers 50 225 260 380 100 162 200 452 1554 1445.2
LaVerne Myers 72 239 242 270 50 100 66 220 948 1023.8

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in pounds. All lifts recorded in pounds. TOT is total pounds lifted. PTS are overall adjusted points corrected for age and bodyweight.

RECORD DAY LIFTS

Al Myers – Finger Lift Left Little 75#
Al Myers – Finger Lift Right Little 75#
Al Myers – Finger Lift Right Thumb 75#
Al Myers – Finger Lift Left Thumb 75#
Al Myers – Rectangular Fix Fulton Bar 70#
LaVerne Myers – Finger Lift Right Thumb 75#
LaVerne Myers – Finger Lift Left Thumb 75#
LaVerne Myers – Finger Lift Left Middle 110#
LaVerne Myers – Rectangular Fix Fulton Bar 70#
LaVerne Myers – Miller Clean and Jerk 60#

James Gardner Lifts Dinnie Stones

By Al Myers

James Gardner lifting the Dinnie Stones unassisted in front of the watcher of the Stones, David Webster.

James Gardner lifting the Dinnie Stones unassisted in front of the watcher of the Stones, David Webster.

I can’t believe I haven’t done this blog yet.  In fact – it’s BIG NEWS to me when someone lifts the Dinnie Stones unassisted (meaning bare hands only – no straps). It even means more to me when it’s someone I know, and someone who I consider a good friend as well!  James Gardner, of Barton under Needwood in England, accomplished this great feat on August 6th, 2016 at the Aboyne Highland Games in Scotland.

At the Aboyne Games they held a competition with the Dinnie Stones. Many stone lifting dignitaries were in attendance, including David Webster, Dr. Terry Todd, Bill Crawford, and others. James performed two unassisted lifts with the Dinnie Stones, and then later won the competition for hold for time with the stones, with a lengthy 13 second hold. This secured James a spot in the Dinnie Stone legacy.

The history of the Dinnie Stones was on display at the games.

The history of the Dinnie Stones was on display at the games.

I have lifted with James many times, and he has one of the best hook grips I know of.  He’s been performing big single arm deadlifts for years and through his years of competing in tug of wars has developed an unbelievable grip so I’m not surprised one bit that he was able to lift the Dinnie Stones.

Congrats to James!!!!

Postal Championships

By Al Myers

The USAWA Postal Series consists of 4 quarterly postal meets, with the grand finale being the USAWA Postal Series.  These Postal Meets may be contested anywhere with the results being sent to the USAWA Postal Meet Director Denny Habecker.  This allows any member of the USAWA to compete in an USAWA competition without the expense of traveling.

The basic rules for entering a USAWA Postal Meet are as follows:

  • Must be a CURRENT member of the USAWA
  • All lifts must be done on the same day
  • USAWA rules apply as outlined in Rule Book
  • 3 attempts allowed with best attempt recorded
  • Bodyweight and Age apply as to the day of lifting
  • Must turn in official scoresheet by deadline
  • Record results on scoresheet in pounds
  • At least 1 certified official required for records
  • May enter with a non-certified judge but will not be eligible for records
  • Scoresheet must be fully filled out
  • No entry fee

ENTRY FORM – 2017 Postal Championships Entry Form

3rd Quarter Postal Meet

By Al Myers

The USAWA Postal Series consists of 4 quarterly postal meets, with the grand finale being the USAWA Postal Series.  These Postal Meets may be contested anywhere with the results being sent to the USAWA Postal Meet Director Denny Habecker.  This allows any member of the USAWA to compete in an USAWA competition without the expense of traveling.

The basic rules for entering a USAWA Postal Meet are as follows:

  • Must be a CURRENT member of the USAWA
  • All lifts must be done on the same day
  • USAWA rules apply as outlined in Rule Book
  • 3 attempts allowed with best attempt recorded
  • Bodyweight and Age apply as to the day of lifting
  • Must turn in official scoresheet by deadline
  • Record results on scoresheet in pounds
  • At least 1 certified official required for records
  • May enter with a non-certified judge but will not be eligible for records
  • Scoresheet must be fully filled out
  • No entry fee

ENTRY FORM – 2017 3rd Quarter Postal Entry Form

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