NE Fall Championship

By Mark Raymond

NEW ENGLAND FALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Group picture from the 2018 New England Fall Classic.

Group picture from the 2018 New England Fall Classic.

The meet turned out to be a great success. In addition to the 7 lifters competing in this event we also had a special guest, Mr. Adrian Blindt, who has competed in IAWA events in the past. It was held at Frank’s Barbell Club in East Walpole, Massachusetts.

Christopher Lestan brought along his younger brother Erik as well as his friend and lifting partner Mike Duran. These young guns were impressive to watch!

And let’s not forget the Ciavattone family who was well represented by Jeff, Joe Sr. and Frank.

It’s always a great time when we are able to get together and lift weights, cheer each other on, tell stories, and have a few laughs!

Congratulations to Jeff Ciavattone who was overall Champion of this event!

And a special thanks to Frank, Jeff, and Joe Sr. who officiated the meet.

Results are as follows:

New England Fall Championship

Frank’s Barbell Club, East Walpole, Massachusetts

October 27th 2018

Meet Director: Mark Raymond

Host: Frank Ciavattone

Meet Announcer/Scorekeeper: Frank Ciavattone

Officials (3 official system used): Frank Ciavattone, Jeff Ciavattone, Joe Ciavattone Sr.

All lifts recorded in pounds

MENS DIVISION

Christopher Lestan           Age: 22        Weight: 262 Lbs.   120K Class   Open

Mark Raymond                 Age: 55        Weight: 248 Lbs.   115K Class    55+ Masters

Jeff Ciavattone                 Age: 39         Weight: 242 Lbs.   110K Class       Open

Frank Ciavattone Jr.         Age: 63    Weight: 293 Lbs.     125K+ Class     60+ Masters

Joe Ciavattone Sr.            Age: 50    Weight: 233 Lbs.     110K Class      50+ Masters

Erik Lestan                         Age: 13    Weight: 138 Lbs.     65K   Class        14-15 Juinors

Mike Duran                        Age: 26    Weight: 324 Lbs.     125K+ Class     Open

 

Lift 1 Zercher Lift
Lift 2 Clean and Seated Press
Lift 3 Deadlift – Ciavattone Grip
Lifter Age Weight Lift 1 Lift 2 Lift 3 Total # Total Points
Jeff Ciavattone 39 242 381 185 501 1067 861
Chris Leston 22 262 352 198 450 1000 775
Joe Ciavattone Sr. 50 233 308 132 352 792 723
Mike Duran 26 324 308 198 501 1007 705
Eric Leston 13 138 132 88 209 429 604
Mark Raymond 55 248 187 110 308 606 559
Frank Ciavattone 63 293 88 198 286 260
4th Attempt for Record:
Lifter Lift #
Chris Leston Clean and Seated Press 220
Mike Duran Zercher Lift 352
Clean and Seated Press 204
Record Day Lifts
Lifter Lift #
Jeff Ciavattone Deadlift – No Thumbs 455
Deadlift – No Thumb, One Arm, Right 220
Shoulder Drop 135
Deadlift – Reeves 331
Abdominal Raise 72
Mark Raymond Finger Lift – Right Index 100
Finger Lift – Right Middle 100
Finger Lift – Right Ring 90
Finger Lift – Right Little 70
Finger Lift – Left Index 80
Mike Duran Deadlift – Reeves 351
Deadlift – Fulton 585
Chris Leston Deadlift – Reeves 331
Frank Ciavattone Finger Lift – Left Index 100
Finger Lift – Left Middle 100
Finger Lift – Left Ring 100
Finger Lift – Left Little 100
Pinch Grip Deadlift – Left 60

 

Lifter of the Month – Dennis Mitchell

By Al Myers

Dennis Mitchell performing a One Arm Deadlift at the Ambridge Barbell Club, under the watchful eye of John McKean.

Dennis Mitchell performing a One Arm Deadlift at the Ambridge Barbell Club, under the watchful eye of John McKean.

The USAWA LIFTER OF THE MONTH for JUNE is Dennis Mitchell.   In June, Dennis made the trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida to compete in the USAWA National Championships.  The impressive fact of this is that it was the TWENTY NINTH USAWA National Championships that Dennis has competed in!  That’s the most of any lifter in the history of the USAWA – and a mark that will be hard to top.  Dennis was the oldest competitor at Nationals this year, and I’m sure he still has several more big meets in him.

Congrats Dennis!

3rd Quarter Postal

By Denny Habecker

3rd QUARTER POSTAL MEET

The results of the 3rd Quarter Postal have been tabulated. The participation was very good this quarter with 13 men and 3 women taking part. John Douglas led the men and R.J. Jackson led the women this quarter.

RESULTS

3rd Quarter Postal Meet
July 1st through September 30th, 2018

Meet Director- Denny Habecker

Lifters with Certified Officials:
Al Myers- Laverne Myers
Dean Ross – Laverne Myers
Laverne Myers – Al Myers
Calvin Helt – Chad Ullom
Barry Bryan – Denny Habecker
Aidan Habecker – Denny Habecker
Denny Habecker – Barry Bryan
Chris Todd – Eric Todd- Lance Foster
John Strangeway – Eric Todd – Lance Foster
Eric Todd – Lance Foster
Lance Foster – Eric Todd
Crystal Diggs – R.J. Jackson

Lifters with Non-Certified Officials:
John Douglas
Stephen Santangelo
Chad Ullom
R.J.Jackson
Amorkor Ollenuking

The Lifts – Standing Lateral Raise, Snatch- 2 Dumbbells, Deadlift- 2 Dumbbells

MEN DIVISION

John Douglas           – 55  – 300   – 100 – 150 – 460  – 710  – 598.01
Stephen Santangelo – 66  – 160   – 54   –  90  – 312  – 456  – 591.62
John Strangeway     – 40  – 196.8 – 65   – 140 – 440  – 645  – 587.67
Al  Myers                – 52   – 232   – 70   – 100 – 440  – 610   – 568.46
Chad Ullom             – 46   – 245   – 35   – 110 – 440  – 585   – 501.88
Barry Bryan            – 60   – 189   – 60   – 80   – 286  – 426   – 475.76
Calvin Helt              -16    – 156   – 25   – 80   – 300  – 405   – 462.56
Denny Habecker     – 76    – 193   – 50   – 60   – 242  – 352   – 439.80
Laverne Myers        – 74    – 238   – 40  – 70    – 280  – 390   – 428.57
Chris Todd             – 38    – 278    – 70  – 120  – 360  – 550   – 414.26
Aidan Habecker      – 15    – 190   – 30   – 60    – 242  – 332   – 351.67
Lance Foster          – 52    – 325    – 50  – 70    – 300  – 420   – 331.93
Eric Todd               – 43    – 260    – 105  – 160   – 0     – 265   – 214.47

WOMEN DIVISION

R.J. Jackson          – 56     -105.4  – 30  – 40     – 160 – 230   – 376.01
Amorkor Ollenuking – 55   – 165   –  20  – 15     – 100 – 135   – 156.86
Crystal Diggs          – 31   – 165    – 30   -30      – 80   -140   – 140.23

Steve Andrews – IAWA Merit Award

By Al Myers

Steve Gardner (left) presenting the IAWA Merit Award to Steve Andrews (right)

Steve Gardner (left) presenting the IAWA Merit Award to Steve Andrews (right)

The second IAWA Merit Award of the night was awarded to Steve Andrews of England.  I have known Steve for many years, and have had the fortunate opportunity to share the platform with him several times at IAWA competitions.  Steve has always been a very complete All Round weightlifter, and is a technician in all lifts.  There’s really no lifts that he is not good at, and he ALWAYS places in the top when the points are calculated.  Past IAWA President Steve Gardner helped me out with Steve’s presentation, and gave his induction speech and presentation.  Steve G summed up Steve A’s IAWA resume perfectly, and gave a very moving speech which I would like to share in this blog.  Here it is, by Steve Gardner:

A little about Steve Andrews – 38 / 39 years in weightlifting by Steve Gardner

In 1979 Steve joined a night school for weightlifting in order to lose weight, later in 1980 he was introduced to the BAWLA All Round Scheme. (in the days before our drug free all round lifting organisation had begun) Steve, who was in his 20’s and had never been involved in sports, was surprised how much he loved the new challenge. At the Leicester club Frank Allen was always an inspiration to Steve, who also improved his ability by watching some of the other excellent technicians in all round weightlifting.

The rest is history, this multi-title winning British Champion especially enjoys his Single Arm lifting and is proud of winning the ‘best Single Arm’ title for many, many times over the years. Steve is proud of all his records and hopes to carry on lifting for as many years as his body will allow!

So Steve was lifting in All Round Weightlifting when we formed our International organisation way back in 1985, and without exception (I think) he is the only person who has lifted consistently throughout the last 33 years, even operations on elbows and stuff like that hasn’t kept him away for any lengthy periods, he is like the energiser battery bunny, he just keeps going and going. A competitor at Internationals abroad on occasions too, Steve has not missed many IAWA(UK) National events in all those years. Steve has been a referee for many years, and is always supportive and helpful to new lifters at events, always offering to help out with loading and whatever other tasks arise. Steve has become involved in the Committee work in more recent years, having held position as UK Chairman for some years now. Steve has also been active in supporting Frank Allen in running events and keeping the Leicester Club alive for many, many years too.

All in all, Steve’s dedication and unfaltering support to our beloved sport of all round weightlifting and all of those people involved therein is recognised as being outstanding, and deserving of the highest Award IAWA can present …the IAWA Award of Merit

Ladies and Gentleman I give you ‘Steve Andrews’

Denny Habecker – IAWA Merit Award

By Al Myers

Denny Habecker receiving the IAWA Merit Award from IAWA President Al Myers.

Denny Habecker receiving the IAWA Merit Award from IAWA President Al Myers.

At the 2018 IAWA World Championships Award Banquet, one of the highlights was the presentation of the IAWA Merit Awards. The Merit Award is the highest honor one can receive in IAWA.  The Merit Award goes “way beyond” just being an outstanding lifter.  To earn the award you must be a major contributer and leader in the organization for many years, and have given alot of yourself to our sport of All Round Weightlifting to make it a better organization.

The IAWA Merit Award is a Presidential Award, chosen and given by the IAWA President on behalf of the organization. It was my honor to have this responsibility, as I’ve always considered Denny as my role model in IAWA/USAWA.

I would like to share my speech I gave when presenting Denny the Merit Award:

I’m honored to be able to present Denny Habecker with this very prestigious IAWA Award. This is the highest award the IAWA has to present, and only a few have received it in the past. I have known Denny for many years, and throughout the year we spend lots of time with each other. I often jokingly refer to Denny as “Uncle Denny” as he seems like family to me.   We have traveled to many overseas IAWA meets together through the years, and I’ve spent many a nights at his and Judys house in Pennsylvania.  I’ve enjoyed many fine meals at their place, but I should recognize Judy for that instead of Denny! 

In looking over the many accomplishments Denny has had in the IAWA, it made me realize that I would need to narrow down the list or this speech would get too long. So I’m going to just hit a few highlights of Dennys involvement and accomplishments.  Here it goes –

  • Started training in 1957 when in highschool to prepare himself for highschool football
  • Competed in Olympic Lifting competitions in the early 60’s, as well as a few bodybuilding competitions (I’ve brought a few pictures along to confirm this as I’m sure some are doubting – so see me afterwards if you want to see a picture of Denny all oiled down and posing)
  • Was inspired to get involved in All Round Weightlifting in 1989, by the great John Vernacchio.   Denny was part of John’s Valley Forge Lifting Team and also entered many Masters Olympic Lifting Meets, including many Pan American Championships and World Championships
  • IAWA World Championship Meet Promoter 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2016
  • Has placed in the Top Ten Overall at Worlds many times – 6th in 2017, 4th in 2016, 6th in 2014, 4th in 2012, 8th in 2011, 9th in 2010, 5th in 2009, 8th in 2007, 4th in 2003, 6th in 2002, 6th in 2001, 10th in 2000, 3rd in 1999, 10th in 1997, and 10th in 1996,
  • Won Best Lifter Awards in his Age Group in 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 1999,
  • IAWA Gold Cup Meet Promoter: 2006, 2008 and 2013
  • Holds many IAWA World Records
  • Has competed in over 20 IAWA World Championships, and over 20 Gold Cups
  • Founder of Habecker’s Gym, and has coached many lifters through the Years
  • Has served as an IAWA Vice President since 2004
  • Has served on the IAWA Technical Committee since 1996

Another thing about Denny I want to mention is I’ve always considered him my role model in All Round Lifting. When I first got started with IAWA Denny was one of the first to encourage me to compete at the IAWA level, beyond just USAWA competitions. I really doubt I would have made that first meet “overseas” without Denny’s support.  For that Denny – I owe you a lot of thanks.  

Denny is one of the most reliable people I know. He has given so much of his time and energy to IAWA, more than most realize. I don’t know how many times in the past when we have needed someone to “step up”, whether it’s a promotion or just attending an event that needs supported – Dennys always there and ready to do it. He has been a steady backbone of IAWA with his leadership, which goes away beyond what he has done on the platform. Our organization wouldn’t be as strong as it is without Denny.

Denny, I consider you one of my best friends. It gives me great honor to be able to present you with this award. Thank you for all you have done for IAWA.

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