[Al Myers]

I’m not a betting man – but I would “bet” that Dale will make it to Nationals next year. If illness or injury kept Dale from competing – he would have quit over 25 times by now! He has more willpower than anyone I know when it comes to sticking with the iron. I know he doesn’t know this – but I consider him a hero and inspiration to me. I would “hope” that I could do the things he has done lifting after having to deal with the health issues he has experienced – but I sometimes wonder if I would. I (or anyone else!) don’t have any reason to complain about “my bad shoulder” or any other injury I may have – because my physical problems are NOTHING compared to what Dale has worked though. Al

[Al Myers]

So true, so true.. You got me laughing with that post Thom, especially recalling Bill and the Finger Deadlift! I will remind you of that moment forever. Al

[Al Myers]

Ben – I have heard that “same story” from lifters for years when I have tried to talk them into All-Round Lifting. “I don’t like the formulas” ranks right up there with “I don’t want to get hurt”, “The lifts are too dangerous”, “I can’t do that lift”, “I got a bad knee and got to wear knee wraps”, and on and on.

I really don’t think the USAWA’s use of formulas for placement is what keeps lifters away from competing in our organization. I have had meets in the past(at the Dino Challenge) where I DIDN’T use formulas, and had weight group divisions instead. Guess what? It didn’t help attendance. Thom promoting the “Straight Weight Challenge Postal Meet” (where NO formulas are going to be used) this month will also prove this. It will be lucky to draw 10 participants (PLEASE, membership, make me eat my words on this!).

My opinion why All-Round Weightlifting fails to draw membership is because there are SO many lifts that it is impossible to be good at everything, and too many lifters have too big of an EGO to look bad learning a new lift, or performing a lift that doesn’t suit their body mechanics. It is just easier for them NOT to compete in the USAWA, give some lame excuse like “I don’t like formulas”, instead of showing the world that they can only do a 135# Steinborn Squat when they can power squat over 600#. Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, First of all, I agree with everything you said (but maybe not to the extreme you do – i.e. Usain Bolt would have to run at least TWO miles compared to your 100 meters for you to win). The USAWA/IAWA does award individual body weight class winners and gives Best Lifters Awards within age groups at the big meets (Nationals and Worlds). This allows competition ONLY against those that are in the same situation as you in regards to age and body weight. The problem is that often this is very limited with the low number of overall competitors that compete.

The powerlifting organization I use to compete in had the philosophy that it was best to “let” everyone be a winner, by creating so many classes and divisions that it was practically impossible for you to have anyone to “directly” compete against. Everyone came home with a first place trophy (which MOST lifters liked and on a business viewpoint was probably a good idea – but that is ANOTHER discussion). And if you wanted to pay a little more and enter multiple divisions you could come home with MANY first place trophies! I thought THAT was ridiculous. At least formulas create a comparison between athletes of different ages and bodyweights!

Thom – We have discussed this many times in the past and it always seems that we disagree to agree, and in reality feel the same on this issue. I think a balance of both ways of recognizing performance is the way to go – and the USAWA does a better job of this than other weightlifting organizations. Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, Oh the dreaded formulas! I do agree that it is impossible to firmly say formulas are completely fair. However, it is the only solution in comparing lifters in different weight classes. I do think the formula the USAWA uses (the Lynch Formula) is more favorable to heavier lifters than other formulas, but that is just my opinion. Last year at Worlds, Mark Haydock, a heavyweight lifter from England, took top honors with the Lynch Formula. I also have the Sinclair, O’Carrol, and Schwartz formulas. I ought to “recalculate” with them to see if there is any difference in the top placings compared to the Lynch Formula. What other formulas are there? Al

[Al Myers]

Welcome to the forum Steve!! Also, thanks for the video link.

I want to second what Steve said about this being a drug free forum, and the USAWA being a drug free organization. We back up what we say about being drug free – and do the appropriate testing to ensure it remains that way. I have been tested 5 times in the last 3 years. Before I was an All-Rounder and was competing in powerlifting competitions, I only went to so-called drug free competitions, yet never got tested. They would say and promote being drug free but never tested anyone!! What kind of drug program is that??? Everyone knew it was that way and there were always obvious violators competing. Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, You just wait and see – I got lots of “good” pictures of you in “my secret files”. haha Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, I’ll make sure to get a picture of you in the Rulebook this time! Al

[Al Myers]

Steve has put some videos on his facebook page of him lifting the stones. I am going to do a story on his accomplishments with the Dinnie Stones next week. Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, As of today your Cheat Curl video stands at ONLY 157 hits. That’s not very good. You need to be like Scotty and just watch it yourself a few times ever day and then before you know it will be “in the 1000 hit club”. Al

[Al Myers]

We need a link Thom!! Al

[Al Myers]

So far we have two videos in the “1000 hit club”, which means they have been viewed over 1000 times. This two videos are #1 Steinborn Lift by Scott Campbell 2162 hits, and #2 Arthur Lift by Chad Ullom 1007 hits. I am hoping that my work in getting all the videos tagged correctly will help in this. This is good exposure for the USAWA!! Al

[Al Myers]

Thom, And it’s impossible to win an argument with you – you never QUIT! Al

[Al Myers]

Dave, You definitely deserve it! You had my vote when you drank that “Arthur Saxon Health Drink” with Chad and me! haha Al

[Al Myers]

Dale was having his lower leg (below the knee) amputated. I still haven’t heard anything about how the surgery went. If anyone knows anything, please let us know here on the forum. Al

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