Category Archives: USAWA Daily News

Denny Habecker – IAWA Merit Award

By Al Myers

Denny Habecker receiving the IAWA Merit Award from IAWA President Al Myers.

Denny Habecker receiving the IAWA Merit Award from IAWA President Al Myers.

At the 2018 IAWA World Championships Award Banquet, one of the highlights was the presentation of the IAWA Merit Awards. The Merit Award is the highest honor one can receive in IAWA.  The Merit Award goes “way beyond” just being an outstanding lifter.  To earn the award you must be a major contributer and leader in the organization for many years, and have given alot of yourself to our sport of All Round Weightlifting to make it a better organization.

The IAWA Merit Award is a Presidential Award, chosen and given by the IAWA President on behalf of the organization. It was my honor to have this responsibility, as I’ve always considered Denny as my role model in IAWA/USAWA.

I would like to share my speech I gave when presenting Denny the Merit Award:

I’m honored to be able to present Denny Habecker with this very prestigious IAWA Award. This is the highest award the IAWA has to present, and only a few have received it in the past. I have known Denny for many years, and throughout the year we spend lots of time with each other. I often jokingly refer to Denny as “Uncle Denny” as he seems like family to me.   We have traveled to many overseas IAWA meets together through the years, and I’ve spent many a nights at his and Judys house in Pennsylvania.  I’ve enjoyed many fine meals at their place, but I should recognize Judy for that instead of Denny! 

In looking over the many accomplishments Denny has had in the IAWA, it made me realize that I would need to narrow down the list or this speech would get too long. So I’m going to just hit a few highlights of Dennys involvement and accomplishments.  Here it goes –

  • Started training in 1957 when in highschool to prepare himself for highschool football
  • Competed in Olympic Lifting competitions in the early 60’s, as well as a few bodybuilding competitions (I’ve brought a few pictures along to confirm this as I’m sure some are doubting – so see me afterwards if you want to see a picture of Denny all oiled down and posing)
  • Was inspired to get involved in All Round Weightlifting in 1989, by the great John Vernacchio.   Denny was part of John’s Valley Forge Lifting Team and also entered many Masters Olympic Lifting Meets, including many Pan American Championships and World Championships
  • IAWA World Championship Meet Promoter 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2016
  • Has placed in the Top Ten Overall at Worlds many times – 6th in 2017, 4th in 2016, 6th in 2014, 4th in 2012, 8th in 2011, 9th in 2010, 5th in 2009, 8th in 2007, 4th in 2003, 6th in 2002, 6th in 2001, 10th in 2000, 3rd in 1999, 10th in 1997, and 10th in 1996,
  • Won Best Lifter Awards in his Age Group in 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 1999,
  • IAWA Gold Cup Meet Promoter: 2006, 2008 and 2013
  • Holds many IAWA World Records
  • Has competed in over 20 IAWA World Championships, and over 20 Gold Cups
  • Founder of Habecker’s Gym, and has coached many lifters through the Years
  • Has served as an IAWA Vice President since 2004
  • Has served on the IAWA Technical Committee since 1996

Another thing about Denny I want to mention is I’ve always considered him my role model in All Round Lifting. When I first got started with IAWA Denny was one of the first to encourage me to compete at the IAWA level, beyond just USAWA competitions. I really doubt I would have made that first meet “overseas” without Denny’s support.  For that Denny – I owe you a lot of thanks.  

Denny is one of the most reliable people I know. He has given so much of his time and energy to IAWA, more than most realize. I don’t know how many times in the past when we have needed someone to “step up”, whether it’s a promotion or just attending an event that needs supported – Dennys always there and ready to do it. He has been a steady backbone of IAWA with his leadership, which goes away beyond what he has done on the platform. Our organization wouldn’t be as strong as it is without Denny.

Denny, I consider you one of my best friends. It gives me great honor to be able to present you with this award. Thank you for all you have done for IAWA.

Commitment Award

By Al Myers

IAWA Commitment Award winners for 2018.

IAWA Commitment Award winners for 2018.

After the Gold Cup, IAWA presented a new award – the IAWA Commitment Award. As President of IAWA, I presented this award to 13 very deserving lifters.  The intention of this award is to properly recognize those lifters that compete in ALL THREE of the IAWA competitions within the year. The certificate states:

This award recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the International All Round Weightlifting Association by participating in the IAWA World Postal Championships, the IAWA World Championships, and the IAWA Gold Cup during the year of 2018.

The inaugeral class of Commitment Awards winners is:

Paul Barette
Ed Shorttle
Beata Banas
Jenny Wilson
Steve Andrews
Denny Habecker
Al Myers
LaVerne Myers
Gary Ell
Karen Gardner
Paul Hallam
Steve Moss
Graham Saxton

Again, a want to offer a BIG CONGRATS to all these Commitment Award winners. This will become an annual award given.

Most IAWA Meets Overseas

By Al Myers

Denny Habecker lifting at the 2018 IAWA Gold Cup - his 29th overseas IAWA competition!

Denny Habecker lifting at the 2018 IAWA Gold Cup – his 29th overseas IAWA competition!

On the way home from England following the Gold Cup, my dad and I were discussing on the plane how much fun we had on the trip.  Especially since we were able to compete in BOTH big IAWA events (the Worlds and the Gold Cup) on this one trip. It’s the first time in the history of IAWA that one meet promoter hosted both the World Championships and the Gold Cup. My hat is off to Paul Barette for pulling off two great comps over the course of two “back to back” weekends. Not too many people would want to do that!  I doubt it will ever happen again.

Well, the flight was a long one from London to Denver (10 hours!) for my dad and I so we had plenty of time to talk about things.  One thing that came up was dad asking me who has traveled the most from the USAWA to IAWA events overseas. I had a couple of “guesses” at the time, but I really didn’t know for sure.  It takes a HUGE committment to travel overseas to an IAWA event. On top of the big financial cost, it takes time away from home, and for most this involves using up vacation days.  I always encourage USAWA members to take part in an overseas IAWA event, but I sure understand why lifters can’t do it.  However, going to IAWA meets overseas has been one of the most enjoyable things I’ve been part of in my life.  I’ve made many great friends all over the world and have seen places I would never have seen if it wasn’t for a World Championships or Gold Cup to take me there.

Once I got home I kept thinking about Dad’s question, so I’ve done a little research and now know the answer to the question “what USAWA lifters have made the most trips overseas to either the World Champs or the Gold Cup?”. Our President, Denny Habecker, leads the list by a big margin by attending 29 overseas IAWA comps!!!  That’s very impressive to say the least.  Here is the TOP TEN:

1. Denny Habecker – 29 trips

2. Dennis Mitchell – 15 trips

3. Al Myers – 13 trips

4T. Art Montini – 11 trips

4T. Howard Prechtel – 11 trips

4T. John Vernacchio – 11 trips

7. Noi Phumachona – 9 trips

8. Frank Ciavattone – 8 trips

9T. Bob Geib –  6 trips

9T. Chad Ullom – 6 trips

Overall, 40 USAWA lifters have attended an overseas IAWA event through the years.  Several have only been to 1 or 2.  Also, at EVERY Worlds and Gold Cup overseas there has been at least one USAWA lifter on the platform.  That’s a streak I hope we continue.  One person who is not in the TOP TEN but needs mentioned is Denny’s wife, Judy.  Judy was in the number 11 spot with competing in 5 Gold Cups overseas, but she has been at most of the meets with Denny and has helped at the scoring table many, many times.

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.

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