USAWA

By Eric Todd

Aside from the USAWA National Championship, the Heavy lift is the longest running championship in the USAWA.  It has run every year since 1994, with the exception of 2020 when everything was cancelled due to the pandemic.  In the 28 years that this meet was contested, the women’s division has had 8 different champions, with Cara Collins having won the meet three times.  There have been no women competitors in 18 of these championships.  In the men’s division, there have been 8 one-time champions, with 4 individuals being multiyear champions.

It was a beautiful day to be throwing around heavy weights in the old tin can.  We had 5 seasoned competitors, with by brother Leroy stepping in to load, judge and score all day.  Lunch was prepared and served by my daughter Phoebe.  Thom and Ethan VanVleck even stopped by to catch up and deliver an undeserved gift to yours truly.

As per tradition, we started off with the neck lift.  It went well.  4 of us set a record in this discipline.  Chad and I went 900 and 950 pounds, respectively.  Dean hit a record of 100 pounds.  Dave hit a record of 480 in the meet, and then another of 505 for a 4th lift for record.  He tells me this should be enough to get him on Clark’s big board once again.

Next up was the hand and thigh lift.  I have said it before, and I will say it again: this lift is a fickle mistress!  In this part of the competition, none of our lifting was record worthy.  Speaking only for myself, my second attempt was easy, and I thought I was easily ready for record poundage.  When record poundage was loaded, it was stapled to the floor.  Fickle mistress indeed.

 

After the hand and thigh, we took a break for dinner.  Phoebe brought us out sandwiches, chips and snacks.  Leroy had an opportunity to update points while the rest of us sat around and told lies.  Before lifting started again, Leroy told me that less than a point separated mine and Chad’s totals.  The last lift would be the deciding factor in who walked away with the title.

The last discipline contested at the heavy lift championship was the hip lift.  We all went big.  Chad bested what he had done at the Dino challenge earlier in the year with a 1500 pound effort.  I knew I needed 2140 to break the overall hip lift record in the 125 kilo class.  I was successful with that effort, and it was enough to take the win.  A big thanks for everyone who showed up and made this meet a success.  3 clubs were represented (KCSTRONGMAAN, Clark’s and the Dino Gym).  A big shout out to meet sponsor, myHMB/Peak ATP for providing shirts for all competitors.

 

The three official system was used.  Officials included, Eric Todd, Chris Todd, Lance Foster, and Chad Ullum.

Score keeper was Chris Todd

Jenny was under the weather, so Phoebe Todd served as the hostess with the mostest.

Loaders-All competitors, and Chris Todd.

An asterisk (*) denotes successful record attempts in the results:

 

Lifter	Age	Age Division	Weight	Weight Class	Neck Lift	Hand and Thigh	Hip Lift	Total	Adj Points	Place
Eric Todd	47	45	265	125	950*	1250	2140*	4340	3608	1
Dave DeForest	62	60	188	90	480*	700	1200	2380	2706	3
Chad Ullum	50	50	232	110	900*	1100	1500	3500	3199	2
Lance Foster	56	55	304	125+	270	590	750	1610	1357	5
Dean Ross	79	75	192	90	100*	350	530	980	1378	4
4th attempt for record
Dave DeForest
Neck Lift	505*