Mike Archer – Rest in Peace
by Steve Gardner
Mike Archer
Mike Archer sadly passed away on 27th February after losing his battle with Cancer. Following other medical problems Mike developed Cancer and was told it was terminal. He died surrounded by his family and was not in pain. A true Master of the sport, not many could lift with Mike when he was lifting at his best. A great lifter, coach, referee, IAWA (UK) Committee member and good friend to all who knew him. Mike will be well remembered for his exploits at the Sunbury and Hastings Clubs.
Please see below the reference to Mike which was part of the programme when he was inducted into the IAWA(UK) Hall of Fame in 2003:
Mike has been involved in weightlifting for more than 50 years having his first competition in 1952. A superb Champion among lifters, 70 yrs old Mike has come a long way since starting to train with weights to gain bodyweight and improve his all-round strength and fitness after having been turned down as medically unfit for compulsory National Service. A tremendous servant to IAWA (UK) as Technical Committee Officer, Mike has also won several National and World titles, listing his proudest moment as winning the ‘Overall Best Master Lifter’ title at the 1996 IAWA Worlds.