New England Gold Cup
by Frank Ciavattone
The New England Gold Cup was a big success! On that particular week Jeff my son was in England! Steve Gardner would also have his team compete as well that day Nov. 29! They competed as a record breaker day as well. They had three referee’s on all lifts and lifted under the New England Gold Cup theme to make Jeff was able to compete and Steve’s team made him feel at home! Our team in New England were honored of there thoughtfulness of Steve and his team! There results all speak for them selves! Great job to Steve and his team!
The New England Gold Cup could not have been the success it was without the help of USAWA President Denny Habecker Barry Bryan! They both came in from Pennsylvania with over a 400 mile drive the day before. They helped me with all the aspects of running the meet. Especially with both of them being referees it helped to have all lifts be USA and World records! The next to come a long distance was Jim Fuller who came down from Maine! Between Denny, Barry and Jim the three out of state lifters turned in some super lifting! There were a lot of experienced Olympic lifters training at the venue and there eyes would all turn to watch these 3 when they lifted. As there is a lot of experience amongst the three! The rest of my team did so well that I feel you will be hearing a lot from them in the future! There turning into great lifters along with them already being ladies and gentleman. This team has the utmost respect for each other! All of there goals were met as the results indicates!
I would also like to mention Paul Dalallis’s entry as a wheelchair athlete! He gave an excellent demonstration of the importance that what this sport would do for these special athletes! Then proceeded to perform a left handed upright row, while seated. The weight was loaded on a makeshift type kettlebell and weighed 61 lbs. It was inspiring to watch this 57 year old athlete who is an amputee battling Cancer! Paul is now a USAWA member and a true example of the word COURAGE!
As far as my record of 404lb. In the One Hand Dead, it put me in the record books to have a 400lb. plus One Hand Deadlift in 5 different age groups! Do to illness’s at age 55 to 58 this lift was impossible, till the New England Gold Cup!
The finally was a home cooked turkey dinner by Colleen at our home! All the lifters received there Gold Cups and comradeship by all! Looking forward to 2015!!!
MEET RESULTS (PDF) – New_England_Records_Day2014