Thom Van Vleck
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I had to laugh at the “Motels in Rainbow Bend” comment. HAHAHAHAHA Look it up on google maps some time…..It’s smaller than Sublette, MO which is the nearest town to me and Sublette has 17 people!
Sounds like this is shaping up nicely.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderHEY, if Usain Bolt had to carry a 100lb plate on his back and two 25’s tied to each foot….I could beat him….that would make me and him the same bodyweight!
Al, are you telling me to let it go? That’s what my wife eventually tells me.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderPersonally, I like weight classes AND age groups in lifting and would like to keep them so nobody take this the wrong way. I’m not here to change the USAWA! I will admit to wondering what the big deal is about handicapping the lifters with formulas as I think it is like comparing apples and oranges….you can’t quantify a human being! But, you will NEVER see me come to a meeting and promote dropping the formulas, but I will fight for the right for events like my “straight weight challenge” as the occassional alternative.
But think about it, is there weight classes in football, height classes in basketball, weight divisions in track & field events? I once sent a story to MILO about the 190lbs and under Nationals in Highlands Games and he very respectfully turned it down. When I asked why he said his opinion was people came to see the guy throw the furthest, not the guy throw the furthest for his size (or something along those lines). I disagreed with that decision but it is a reality for some people.
Now, what other sports handicap their players? I can think of a couple off the top of my head: Bowling and Golf. Can you imagine going to a track meet and having Usain bolt have to run 200 yards against me running the 100 yard dash because he gets handicapped for his age and weight? (Ok, so he’d probably have to run a mile for me to beat him in the 100, but that’s besides the point!)
Soon, I will be going the Masters World championships in Denver for Highland Games. I am in the 45-49 age group and I’m happy about that! But since the MWC moves from venue to venue they often take on the various rules of the region they throw in. The RMSA has a formula to handicap masters throwers. While the MWC will NOT be doing that, it was brought up. I don’t like it as when I’ve thrown RMSA you have NO idea where you are at during the day. I threw in Gillette, Wyoming a few years back and this situation arose. I cleared 32′ on the last event of the day and had won that event at that point. I was ready to quit even though I had more attempts. I then found out that, based on the formula, I had to get 32’6″ for the win. Which I then did. But it was right before they broke down the uprights and once they did that I’d been screwed. If we could develop a computer program that would instantly tell the lifter where he was at and he could base his attempts accordingly PLUS the spectator know what was going on, that would be great.
Hopefully, I don’t put anyone off on this or get “red lettered”. I can have an opinion and at the end of the day go along with the group. I do it all the time….especially with my wife! So, no hate please.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounderuhhh….he’d be in my weight class, right? Uhhh….NO, I think he’d be TERRIBLE! No Way! hahahaha
Actually, I’d like to see Dave do it for this reason. He IS very, very strong AND very, very athletic and he might be a guy that could prove that a big man could win in a formula system! If he couldn’t do it, then it would prove (at least to me) that there’s no way a big guy could win in the formula system.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderAl, nobody will believe it when you photoshop my face on those “funny” pictures you have of Chad!! haha
You know, I was looking at the photo of you and Chad accepting your athletes awards and you guys have been hanging out together so much you are starting to look alike!!!!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderIn all seriousness, I really appreciate all the work you do and putting that rule book together is one of them!!!
Now, where do you want me to send the photos of me doing ALL the lifts! haha
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderWell, you’ll need at least three different angles of the Cheat Curl!!!!
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderWell, you’ll need at least three different angles of the Cheat Curl!!!!
Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderI don’t know what you are talking about, Al!!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderWHAT! You mean my cheat curl video isn’t #1….even after I paid you to post it first! ha ha!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderHaving lifted those stones “assisted” and knowing the grip that would be needed…..I’m IMPRESSED! Great job
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderWell….that and the Weight Over Bar….OH, SNAP!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderThe best part of all, is that I CHEAT on my CHEAT Curls when I do them and bend my knees!!! But I prefer to call them “Smart curls” because you are doing them the smart way. hahahaha
Heck, Al, with your torn biceps, it’s the only lift I can beat you on!!!!!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Roundergreat job, Dave.
I lost out when I made fun of Al’s gin and tonics……he blackballed me!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-RounderNow that would make the trip worth it!
Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder -
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