[Al Myers]

Thom, I had a JWC sweatshirt that I got from you at one of your Highland Games many years ago. I loved that sweatshirt and took it to Scotland with me in 2005 when I was still throwing. After a days games I was enjoying a few beers in a pub and took it off and laid it on the chair. Well, someone stole the thing!!!! Everytime since when I’ve gone back to Scotland I keep an eye out for someone wearing a JWC sweatshirt. Cause if I find the person I’m getting it back!!!

[Al Myers]

And I forgot to mention in the previous post – LOVE THE PIC with Thom wearing his Dino Gym hoodie.

[Al Myers]

geez Chad, how can you forget this! It wasn’t over any beers – it was right before the 2 bar VB lift at Worlds. I was trying to get into Mark’s head and I just remember him giving me this skeptical look not knowing to believe me or not, and him wondering if he should try it right before the lift. I even had you going along with me! It was pretty funny, and the three of us did have a good laugh over it later over a few beers.

[Al Myers]

ET,
We have been allowing 4th attempts for record in the World Postal Championships the past few years, so I thought we would keep with that because that’s the way it’s been done.
As for the USAWA postals we have not allowed 4th attempts for records.
Al

[Al Myers]

John,
Totally agree with what you said.

I would bet if IAWA started hosting an OTSM World Championships half the time it would be held in conjunction with the Gold Cup, like the next day. This would make it a full two day weekend of competition, like the World Championships.

And WELCOME to the forum!!!!
Al

[Al Myers]

ET, There is a secret that will add 20 pounds to your VBAR. I discovered it several years ago by accident. It’s not something I really want to share on the forum (don’t worry – it’s not doing anything against the rules!). For as far as I know only two people know and they’ve been sworn to secrecy – Chad and Mark Haydock. I haven’t even told my dad. I told both of them in Australia before the 2011 Worlds and it definitely helped them with the VBAR that day. Afterwards I regretted telling them, but I tend to give out my secrets too freely over a couple beers.

[Al Myers]

I am not opposed to that (starting as a World OTSM Postal) at all.

When I’m at Worlds I will talk more with the Australians to gauge their interest.

[Al Myers]

ET,
Your views on this are exactly what I was initially thinking, that it would be good to combine the GC and the OTSM Worlds. This is what John did when he promoted the OTSM Worlds in 2015.

However, the more I have thought about it I have had a change of mind. The OTSM Champs would be better fitted to follow the GC than Worlds (since the GC is a one day event). But it would never work longterm, as it would not be right to expect that of every meet director of the GC. Several GC promoters are interested in only the GC, and not the OTSM. Now not saying occassionally it could be so. Also, the OTSM crowd is completely different from the GC crowd.

I would like to see this as a July World Championships which would allow lifters to travel to a IAWA event who can not make the Oct Worlds or the Nov Gold Cup. Now for numbers of overseas lifters attending – I doubt it will every be huge. But recently it has not been great for USAWA lifters attending overseas IAWA events either. I doubt it would be much different.

[Al Myers]

ET,
I was going to discuss this over email with you, but since nothing about it is confidential lets discuss it in the forum. This way we can get input from others if they want.

John Mahon of Australia contacted me the other day with a proposal. He really wants to see the IAWA embrace the OTSM and start hosting an annual IAWA OTSM World Championships. This would be a completely different event from the IAWA World Championships. 2 years ago in Australia John promoted an “unofficial” OTSM World Championships following the Gold Cup and it was alot of fun. He had several lifters compete in it that did not compete in the Gold Cup the day before.

I have thought this over, and I am all in favor of it. However, I told him I needed to first discuss this with the chairman of the OTSM in the USAWA – Eric Todd.

So what are your thoughts on going forward with this?

[Al Myers]

The EB is reviewing the new proposed form today that includes all championship events getting points. Another proposal to the HOF has been brought up, giving points to all certified officials for number of years active. Again, the HOF form was developed before the Official’s program got underway. I absolutely think being a certified official in the USAWA should be worth points on the HoF application. Input back from the EB seems positive on this, so hoping by the end of the week we have the HOF updated.

[Al Myers]

ET, I’m impressed that you noticed that!!

And the reason for it is that the HOF nomination form has not been updated since 2009, before several of the Championship Events started, thus why they are not listed.

You are right, all Championships (outside of Nationals) are of equal value and thus should recieve the same number of points.

I will update the HOF Form as Awards Director, and then all that’s required is a passing vote by the EB to make it official.

If anyone notices anything else missing please let me know because this would be the time to get it updated!!!

[Al Myers]

Dave, I will be there will 3-4 dino Gym members to lift. Looking forward to seeing you – it’s been too long!!! Al

[Al Myers]

Ben,
With the new strict pinch Grip added weight plates MUST be on tight, and with the rule not allowing fingers to touch added plates or the pin. small plates will only be used if the lifter is lifting 20 pounds. After that the lifter would have to move up plate size to do more weight. We made sure the rules specified that plates must be on tight for this reason.

[Al Myers]

One more thing.
Alot of this has been the result of me not doing my job as Secretary/Webmaster by not properly informing the membership of the proposed new rules and lifts on the website ahead of the AGM. All of the new proposed lifts/rule changes should have been detailed way in front of the meeting on the website to give time for discussion in the forum. The lack of this disclosure makes it appear as if the USAWA is trying to do things “behind closed doors”. I apologize for this, and hopefully will do a better job in the future.

[Al Myers]

Good discussion!!!! And again, I want to really thank those who are participating in this thread.

First Dan – Your points are well stated. I absolutely agree that anything that could be done to increase the ease of members participation in “voting matters” should be done. But as I stated earlier, there are logistic problems with conducting dual online meetings with a live meeting. But there are some voting matters (like new lift proposals, elections) that could easily be done online in addition to live voting. But I will stand by the point I made (and I don’t consider it an assumption) that online voting will be poorly represented. I don’t consider it an assumption as I’ve been doing the Yearly Awards for close to 8 years now and it’s all done online, and I’m always disappointed in the number that participate. How would voting be any different?

ET – Bylaws can be changed. All it takes is convincing a few people, who will convince others, that we want a change. The first step is to talk to all the members of the Executive Board.

And RJ – Your input is ALWAYS valued, after all, you’re a Dino Gym member now!!!!!

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