Author Archives: Steve Gardner

My Friend Andy Goddard

by Steve Gardner

Steve Gardner lifting Andy Goddard overhead at the 2003 IAWA World Championships in Perth, Australia.

I have been asked to write a bit about the late Andy Goddard, as time moves on and newer members join, not everyone knows who he was and why we have a postal match named after him …….

I first met Andy 20 years ago when he wandered into my gym to watch an all round competition that was taking place.  He lived locally and told me he had been in the Army for a number of years, where he was an Army light flyweight boxing champion.  Andy was struck down with a stomach cancer and had an emergency operation, he nearly died, but he pulled through and was invalided out of the Armed Forces. This had all taken place a few years before he came to see me, and he told me he had been given the all clear from Cancer re occurring and thought he would like to start and do some training to see if he could lift with us.

I was delighted to help him and we cautiously worked together, but in no time it was obvious he was a strong little critter, and he took to weightlifting like a duck to water.  Andy started to compete and he thrived on competition. Not only did Andy become a great champion, several times IAWA British Champion in the Open and many time World Champion in the Masters, he was a thoroughly nice man. He was a great friend to everyone, and always had a good word to say.  Andy always helped to encourage new lifters in the sport and was the kind of guy who would do anything for anyone at the drop of a hat.

Andy’s favourite lifts were the Deadlift, Hacklift, Straddle and Trap Bar Deadlift, all of which he performed with more than 3 times bodyweight!  Andy became a great friend of mine and my family too, he was like family to us. Andy was always there to help me every time we had a competition he would be helping me set up and move the weights, or collecting foreign lifters from the airport and helping me put them up. Andy was a quiet man, he wasn’t married but spent a lot of time treating and looking after others.  It was the proudest moment for me to make the presentation to my friend when he was inducted into the IAWA(UK) Hall of Fame in 2007, this was a fitting reward for a true champion and holder of many, many records who had travelled the World and taken part in as many IAWA events as he could, a true all round weightlifter and supporter.

In 2008, Andy started to have some internal pain problems in his groin, though he insisted it did not stop him lifting, it continued to niggle at him and eventually the pains spread to his chest and back. Andy lifted in the World Championships in 2008 and was magnificent, but we knew all was not right. After countless visits to the Hospital they said they were not sure why he had the pain? We all worried in case there was something deeper, and in the end sure enough, eventually a scan showed a shadow near his spine. Andy went in and had some painful surgery on his back, the cancer was in his spine, it had returned after 20 years. Whilst operating they discovered that the cancer had spread to his organs and there was nothing anyone could do. They gave him six months, and that would have taken Andy up to his 50th birthday…he didnt make it, passing away just a few weeks before. It was so sad to see this wonderful light go out, we visited him and talked to him to the end, and were with him on his last day.

I had commented one time on Andys ‘Northern Ireland’ Campaign medal he had been awarded in the Army, having seen two tours of service over there in the early and mid 70’s, when he showed it to me I told him he should be justly proud of his achievements in such dangerous and difficult times. I was very moved when, after the funeral, his girlfriend said Andy had asked her to give the medal to me. I treasure it to this day.

We all miss Andy, and his belt and lifting boots remain at the gym so he is always with us. Andy loved competition, and the postal bearing his name is a fitting tribute to him.

Goddard Postal

by Steve Gardner

MEET RESULTS: 

The Andy Goddard Tribute Lifts Postal 2011

Chuck Cookson, of the Dino Gym, had the top Jefferson Lift (Straddle Deadlift) of the Goddard Postal Meet with a lift of 622 pounds.

32 lifters took part in the Andy Goddard tribute postal competition, and what a good competition it turned out to be, thanks to all the lifters from the USA and the UK who supported the event. Below is a list of best lifter results.  The two lifts contested were the  Alternate Grip Bench Press  and the Straddle Deadlift.

Alternate Grip Bench Press – Top Ten Lifters

  1. Mark Price – Powerhouse Gym, England
  2. Al Myers – Dino Gym, United States
  3. Mark Haydock – Hoghton Barbell Club, England
  4. Joe Ciavattone Sr. – Joe’s Gym, United States
  5. Scott Tully – Dino Gym, United States
  6. Joe Ciavattone Jr. – Joe’s Gym, United States
  7. Gary Ell – Tiverton WL Club, England
  8. Chuck Cookson – Dino Gym, United States
  9. Chad Ullom – Dino Gym, United States
  10. Steve Gardner – Powerhouse Gym, England

 

Straddle Deadlift – Top Ten Lifters

  1. Al Myers – Dino Gym, United States
  2. Chuck Cookson – Dino Gym, United States
  3. Joe Ciavattone Jr.  – Joe’s Gym, United States
  4. Kai Holland – Tiverton WL Club, England
  5. Mark Haydock – Hoghton Barbell Club, England
  6. Mark Rattenbury – Tiverton WL Club, England
  7. Graham Saxton – Powerhouse Gym, England
  8. James Gardner – Powerhouse Gym, England
  9. Jonny Eccleshall –  Powerhouse Gym, England
  10. Chad Ullom – Dino Gym, United States

 

Total – Top Ten Lifters

  1. Al Myers – Dino Gym, United States
  2. Chuck Cookson – Dino Gym, United States
  3. Mark Price – Powerhouse Gym, England
  4. Mark Haydock – Hoghton Barbell Club, England
  5. Joe Ciavattone Jr. – Joe’s Gym, United States
  6. Chad Ullom – Dino Gym, United States
  7. Mark Rattenbury – Tiverton WL Club, England
  8. Graham Saxton – Powerhouse Gym, England
  9. Gary Ell – Tiverton WL Club, England
  10. Joe Ciavattone Sr. – Joe’s Gym, United States

 

Best Club Result (Top 3 Performers)

  1. Dino Gym:  Myers, Cookson, Ullom – 963.3 pts
  2. Powerhouse Gym:  Price, Saxton, Gardner – 876.4 pts
  3. Joe’s Gym:  Ciavattones, Joe Sr., Joe Jr., Jonathon – 837.8 pts
  4. Tiverton:  Rattenbury, Ell, Holland – 826.1 pts
  5. Granby Grippers:  Allen, Andrews, Godleman – 797.7 pts

 

Best Junior Performance – Joe Ciavattone Jr.

Best Female Performance – Karen Gardner

Best Open Performance – Mark Haydock

Best Master Performance – Al Myers

Best Overall Lifter – Al Myers

For the complete results –  ANDY GOD2011

Gold Cup

by Steve Gardner

MEET RESULTS

2010 IAWA GOLD CUP

Group picture from the 2010 IAWA Gold Cup in Walpole, Massachusetts.

After the lifting everyone was invited back to Frank Ciavattone’s home where his family had prepared a wonderful banquet. Following the banquet, the presentation of the awards was made. Frank thanked everyone for attending his event and made some nice presentations to those who had helped him organize and run the competition, Steve Gardner thanked Frank on behalf of the lifters for putting on a splendid event. The evening was concluded with an induction to the USAWA Hall of Fame. Al Myers made a nice and thorough speech as a very worthy Scott Schmidt was inducted amid rapturous applause. A very proud Scott gave a wonderful thank you reply speech, the whole event ending on a high note!

Results of Gold Cup – GOLD CUP 2010

Andy Goddard Postal

Results of the Andy Goddard Postal Tribute

by Steve Gardner

Andy Goddard

What an amazing result, huge thanks to all of you who supported the tribute, and helped to remember our dear friend. Please read the full results below, it is very heart warming!

53 Lifters took part in the tribute – 27 of the lifters totals were performed before 2 or more referees and will be submitted for record purposes, but all 53 results count for the ‘Tribute to Andy’ competition! I am not sure, but I think this is the first time that a competition like this one has been held, and what a great result, we’ve had lifters who were great friends of Andy’s and lifters who just wanted to join in to support the tribute of a fellow IAWA athlete (even members of his family who had never lifted a weight before)

We had lifters of the highest World Class standing right through to new lifters, only recently stepping on to the competition platform, and lifters aged from 12 years to 82 years of age, boys and girls, men and women, and from all parts of England, Scotland, Canada, USA, New Zealand. I have been so encouraged by this wonderful response that I will run this Tribute Competition on an annual basis for 26th March, but with two different lifts next year, still based around the Bench Press and Deadlift concept! Well done to you all, I am sure that Andy is looking down on us all with a big smile, and hopefully feeling proud!

Neil Abery Wins the First Andy Goddard Tribute and will have his name put on the ‘Andy Goddard Trophy’ which will be kept on display at the Powerhouse Gym, Burton!

Meet Results:

Best Ten Totals Amended

Neil Abery 32 Open 90.0 90 142.5 130.1 250 229.0 392.5 359.1

Al Myers 43 M40+ 114.3 115 145 119.1 282.5 232.2 427.5 351.3

Mark Haydock 35 Open 121.0 125 165.5 127.1 280.5 215.4 446 342.5

Phil Crisp 40 M40+ 97.0 100 153.5 133.5 228.5 198.7 382 332.2

Steve Angell 39 Open 109.0 110 140 113.3 270 218.6 410 331.9

John Monk 44 M40+ 78.9 80 140.6 143.0 183.7 186.9 324.3 329.9

Mark Rattenberry 47 M45+ 64.4 65 90 107.4 165 196.9 255 304.3

Nick Swain 44 M40+ 85.0 85 110 107.1 200 194.7 310 301.8

Roger Davis 40 M40+ 82.0 85 110 105.2 200 191.3 310 296.5

Steve Andrews 50 M50+ 69.9 70 87.5 101.5 167.5 194.4 255 295.9

Best Five Bench Presses Amended

John Monk 143.0

Joe Ciavattone Senior 139.0

Phil Crisp 133.5

Neil Abery 130.1

Mark Haydock 127.1

Best Five Deadlifts Amended

Al Myers 232.2

Neil Abery 229.0

Steve Angell 218.6

Mark Haydock 215.4

Phil Crisp 198.7

Best Masters Lady Karen Gardner

Best Ladies Open Mandy Hughes

Best Ladies Junior Heather Mansell

Best Ladies Guest Lifter Louise Collier

Best Masters 60+ Frank Allen

Best Masters 40+ Al Myers

Best Open Neil Abery

Best Junior Joe Civiattone Jnr

Best Guest Lifter Vince Collier

Name Age Div Bwt Class Bench Am D/L Am Total Am

Kohl Hess 15 J14/15 123.3 125 68 59.5 136 119 204 178.5

Art Montini 82 M80+ 78.9 80 61.2 94.9 92.9 144 154.1 238.9

John McKean 64 M60+ 78.9 80 61.2 74.1 136 164.7 197.2 238.8

Chad Ullom 38 Open 108.4 110 102 82.8 206 167.2 308 250.0

(The above lifts were performed before 3 officials at Ambridge PA USA on Sunday 14th March)

Mark Rattenberry 47 M45+ 64.4 65 90 107.4 165 196.9 255 304.3

Gary Ell 39 Open 83.6 85 130 121.7 185 173.2 315 294.9

(The Above lifts were performed before 1 Official in Devon, England, so they count for the

competition but will not be considered for record purposes.)

Al Myers 43 M40+ 114.3 115 145 119.1 282.5 232.2 427.5 351.3

(The above lifts were performed in Kansas USA on 16.3.2010 before two USAWA Officials.)

Andy Milner 48 M45+ 96 100 107.5 101.4 180.5 170.3 288 271.7

(The above lifts were performed at the Hoghton Barbell Club, Lancashire, England, before fellow

lifters, so they count for the competition but will not be considered for record purposes.)

Phil Crisp 40 M40+ 97.0 100 153.5 133.5 228.5 198.7 382 332.2

Ed Shorttle 53 M50+ 68.0 70 67.5 81.9 150.5 182.1 218 264.0

Nick Swain 44 M40+ 85.0 85 110 107.1 200 194.7 310 301.8

(The above lifts were performed at Hailsham in Essex, England on 13.3.10. Phil Crisp and Nick Swain before one official which is good for the competition but lifts not able to be considered for record purposes. Ed Shorttle however, did lift before two officials and as such his lifts could be considered!)

Karen Gardner 51 M50+ 75.7 80 37.5 54.8 75 109.8 112.5 164.3

Mandy Hughes 18 J18/19 78.2 80 51 67.0 120 157.8 171 224.8

Karl Birkinshaw 26 Open 77.9 80 67.5 65.9 155 151.4 222.5 217.3

John Gardner 27 Open 123.9 125 80 60.7 150 113.8 230 174.5

Steve Gardner 53 M50+ 140.2 125+ 115 93.9 170 138.8 285 232.7

(The above lifts were performed at the Powerhouse Gym, Burton, England on 22.3.10 before three officials and can therefore be considered for record purposes.)

Cliff Harvey – – – – – – – – –

Julien Emery 27 Open 91.4 95 – – – – – – 151.9 135.2 135.2 135.2

(Cliff from New Zealand, is resident in Canada at the moment, he has been ill, but attempted to lift, he missed all of his Deadlifts and was forced to abort the mission, his friend Julien Emery deadlifted, but he could not Bench due to a shoulder injury. Thanks for the thought guys.)

Steve Angell 39 Open 109.0 110 140 113.3 270 218.6 410 331.9

(The above lifts were performed in Buckinghamshire on 22nd March, the lifts were not performed in front of two officials, so the results count towards the competition, but will not be submitted for record purposes.)

Mark Gecko 41 M40+ 84.0 85 122 116.2 156 148.5 378 264.7

(The above lifts were performed in York, England, the lifts were not witnessed by two referees, so the total counts for the competition, but consideration can not be given to record claims.)

Neil Abery 32 Open 86.8 90 142.5 130.1 250 229.0 392.5 359.1

(The above lifts were performed in Milton Keynes, but not before two referees, so they count for the competition but will not be submitted for record purposes..)

James Gardner 26 Open 91.4 95 100 88.9 200 177.9 300 266.8

Graham Saxton 48 M45+ 113.9 115 110 94.9 227.5 196.3 337.5 291.2

(The above lifts were performed at the Powerhouse Gym in Burton on 24.3 before two referees!)

Frank Allen 68 M65+ 87.0 90 82.5 99.6 155 187.2 237.5 286.8

Steve Andrews 50 M50+ 69.9 70 87.5 101.5 167.5 194.4 255 295.9

Daniel Andrews 13 J13+U 54.4 55 32.5 54.1 70 116.5 102.5 170.6

Mark Godleman 48 M45+ 101.0 105 115 105.6 210 192.8 335 298.4

(The above lifts were performed in Leicester 24.3, Frank and Steve before one Referee so count for the competition, and Daniel and Mark before two referees so results can be submitted for record purposes.

Jim Madden 41 M40+ 89.0 90 95 87.5 125 115.7 220 202.6

Andy Tomlin 42 M40+ 92.4 95 95 86.5 200 182.1 295 268.6

George Dick 61 M60+ 129.1 125+ 110 99.8 180 163.4 290 263.2

Chris Hughes 20 Open 69.8 70 57.5 60.2 145 151.8 202.5 212.0

Dave McFadzean 39 Open 100.6 105 70 59.1 145 122.4 215 181.5

(The above lifts were performed in Glasgow, Scotland before three referee’s !)

Roger Davis 40 M40+ 82.0 85 110 105.2 200 191.3 310 296.5

(Roger Lifted to support the tribute to Andy, the lifts were not performed before two referees.)

Mathew Mansell 15 J14/15 62.5 65 60 77.8 122.5 159.0 182.5 236.8

Connor Mansell 12 J13+U 47.0 50 25 47.0 60 113.0 85 160.0

Heather Mansell 14 J14/15 43.0 45 25 58.9 70 164.9 95 223.8

(The above lifts were performed in Penzance, Cornwall under the watchful eye of Dad Simon! The lifts were not performed before two referees so they count for the competition but will not be submitted for records.)

Dan Butterworth 30 Open 131.0 125+ 140.5 103.8 220.5 162.9 361 266.7

Mark Haydock 35 Open 121.0 125 165.5 127.1 280.5 215.4 446 342.5

(The above lifts were performed at the Hoghton Barbell Club in Lancashire, the lifts were not performed in front of two referees so they count for the competition but will not be submitted for record purposes!)

Louise Collier 41 20 40 60

Vince Collier 42 50 90 140

(Louise and Vince are Andys Sister and Brother in Law , they are not lifters (never touched a weight before))

Joe Ciavattone Snr 41 M40+ 111.1 115 170 139.0 185.9 152.0 355.9 291.0

Joe Ciavattone Jnr 16 J16/17 96.1 100 115.6 110 181.4 172.7 297.0 282.7

Mike O Brien 27 Open 65.7 70 63.5 69.2 140.6 153.2 204.1 222.4

Frank Ciavattone Snr 55 M55+ 129.2 125+ 11.1 95.8 185.9 160.4 297.0 256.2

(The Above Lifts were performed at Joes Gym in Boston Massachusetts USA, before two referees. The deadlift was done with dumbbells i.e. Dumbells deadlift!)

Bill Crozier 71 M70+ 98.4 100 100 117.9 132.5 156.2 232.5 274.1

Jim Malloy 68 M65+ 109.2 110 102.5 109.2 140 149.1 242.5 258.2

Scott Schmidt 57 M55+ 117.0 120 115 106.0 185 170.5 300 276.5

(The above Lifts were performed before Two Officials at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA)

Denny Habecker 67 M65+ 84.4 85 88.4 107.0 133.8 161.9 222.2 268.9

(The above lifts were performed in Lebanon PA USA, but were not done before two referees.)

John Monk 44 M40+ 78.9 80 140.6 143.0 183.7 186.9 324.3 329.9

Dennis Vandermark 56 M55+ 94.7 95 95.2 97.1 131.5 134.2 226.7 231.3

Nathan Shelly 20 Open 70.3 75 102.0 106.3 165.5 172.4 267.5 278.7

Dan Vastyan 24 Open 90.7 95 — — 165.5 147.9 — —

(The above lifts were performed in Pennsylvania USA, and the results count for the competition.)

Chris Bass 63 M60+ 69.5 70 80 104.1 130 169.2 210.0 273.3

(The above lifts were performed at the Haven Gym before one official. The Bench was Feet in Air.)

A Lift for Andy

Tribute to Andy Goddard

by Steve Gardner

Andy Goddard performing one of his favorite lifts - the Bench Press

It will be a year on March 26th since I said goodbye to my friend Andy. The Gym has not been the same without him, but we carry on with Andy always in our thoughts.

I have decided to run a postal competition as a tribute to Andy Goddard. The lifts will be simple and contain two of his favorites: the Bench Press and the Two Hands Deadlift.

I am inviting friends of Andys, and all IAWA members in general, to take part in this ‘Tribute Lift for Andy’. Lifts are to be completed by the end of March. One referee will be ok for the tribute lifts, but if you want the lifts to be considered for record purposes they must be clearly marked as refereed by two officials.

Remember – it doesn’t matter how much you lift or whether you are not fully training or injured. Just submit token results if you can’t do more, just to be a part of our ‘Tribute to Andy’.

There will be an Andy Goddard Trophy kept at the Powerhouse Gym and the overall Winners name will go on that trophy!

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