national meeting proposals

By Dan Wagman

This is the first part in a series of proposals from Dan Wagman that may be discussed at the national meeting.

Send queries to Send queries to <a href=”mailto:Wagman2022Agenda@icloud.com”>Wagman2022Agenda@icloud.com</a>

(e-mail address active until Juli 1, 2022)

 

  1. AMEND BENCH PRESS RULE TO ALLOW USE OF BLOCKS UNDER A LIFTER’S FEET

In addressing a lifter’s foot placement, the current bench press rule (Rulebook XII.C.) reads:

 

“The feet must be flat on the floor and not braced against the bench during the lift.  Any width of feet placement is allowed. No heel or toe rising is allowed during the lift.”

 

It is therefore not permissible to place plates, blocks, or any similar thing under a lifter’s feet to raise them off the floor. This, however, is essential for many shorter lifters, to include reasons other than just body height or limb length, and many judges have therefore allowed this, contravening the rules of performance for the bench press. It is therefore advisable to clarify the bench press rule via a sentence that allows lifters to elevate their feet off the floor. It is suggested to add this fourth sentence to the section addressing a lifter’s feet:

The use of plates, blocks, or any similar device under the lifter’s feet is permitted

            in an effort to raise them off the floor.

 

  1. JEFFERSON LIFT — FINGERS

         Add the Jefferson Lift — Fingers to USAWA’s contested lifts in line with IAWA-UK. The proposed language for that lift is as follows:

         Jefferson Lift — Fingers: The rules of the Jefferson Lift apply except that the lift will be executed with one of the same fingers on each hand.

 

Presidential Cup

By Eric Todd

Our president, Denny Habecker, is sanctioning the 10th installment of the Presidential Cup.  The Presidential Cup is the granddaddy of all record days.  It is to the USAWA what the Gold Cup is to the IAWA.  In the nine years that it has been contested, there have been nine different Presidential Cup champions.  The most recent was Beth Skwarecki with a 55 pound full-gardner in 2021. You will pick one lift to set or break a record in.  If time allows, you can go for a record in a second lift, but only your first lift will be eligible for consideration for the Presidential Cup Championship.

The Presidential Cup will follow along some of the same guidelines as the Gold Cup, which is the IAWA meet which recognizes outstanding performances by lifters in the lift/lifts of their choosing.  The Gold Cup started in 1991 under the direction of then-IAWA President Howard Prechtel.  However there will be some differences in the guidelines of the USAWA Presidential Cup:

  • The Presidential Cup is hosted annually by the USAWA President only.
  • Must be a USAWA member to participate.
  • A lifter may choose any official USAWA  lift/lifts (up to a maximum of 5 lifts) to set a USAWA record/records in.
  • The lifter must open at a USAWA Record Poundage on first attempt.
  • The top performance record lift of the entire record day,  which will be chosen by the President, will be awarded the PRESIDENTIAL CUP.

Date: August 6, 2022

Location: Habecker’s Gym-Lebanon, PA

Entry: None, but please let Denny know if you are coming.

Heavy Lift Championship 2022

By Eric Todd

2022 Heavy Lift Championship

2022 Heavy Lift Championship

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.

 

Dave DeForest exhibits textbook form on the hand and thigh

Dave DeForest exhibits textbook form on the hand and thigh

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.

 

Lance Foster sets up for the hip lift

Lance Foster sets up for the hip lift

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*

 

TONY HOSE WINS THE BENCH PRESS DECATHLON

By Bill Clark

Tony, who just turned 53, won is first major USAWA meet by blasting through the “rampage” to win the Easter Bunny Bench Press Decathlon, defeating teammate, Dave Beversdorf, for the title.

tony Hose-Benchpress Decathalon Champ!

tony Hose-Bench press Decathalon Champ!

Tony, weighing a trim 226 pounds, broke a deadlock with the 56-year-old Beversdorf by using less to weigh more and clinch the title in the “rampage.”

Tony took only 90 pounds, but did 68 reps with the weight in the one-minute rampage time-span to log 6,120 pounds in a minute – over three tons. Dave, who weighed in at 300 pounds (age 56), did 47 reps with 125 pounds for a total of 5,875 pounds in a minute.

Third place went to Lucas Hardie, from Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, who is a member of Clark’s Gym Team. Dave DeForest was 4th, Tony Lupo 5th and Nick Frieders 6th in what became strictly a gym meet.

Tony Hose’s total for the 10 lifts was exactly 8,000 pounds – four tons worth of benching.

Tony has been a gym member since June 15, 2006. Since his first few months 16 years ago, he has always added a large gift “to help cover the heating bill” and has been a huge help in keeping the gym open as the heat bills have soared.

It was good seeing him win in tough competition.

The results:

Name Age Age Division BW weight class Reg Park Bench Press Bench Press roman Chair Bench Press Feet in Air Bench Press Alternate Grip Bench Press Reverse Grip Bench Press-Close Grip (not eligible for USAWA records because not an official lift) Bench Press-Feet on Floor  (not eligible for USAWA records because not an official lift) Rampage Reps Rampage total weight Total pounds Bodyweight adjustment Age Adjustment Place
Tony Hose 53 50 226 105 230 65 300 *275 *270 200 300 68×90 6120 8000 2688.5 7624.83 1
David Beversdorf 56 55 300 275+ *230 *45 *300 *315 *300 225 315 47×125 5875 7825 5679.4 6844.9 2
Lucas Hardie** 38 open 195 90 *190 125 245 225 225 185 255 28×135 3780 6430 5879.15 5879.15 3
Dave DeForest 62 60 187 85 *130 *22 160 *165 *160 130 170 41×70 2870 3917 3637.7 4474.37 4
Tony Lupo 56 55 234 110 *130 *65 *245 *185 *200 155 255 26×115 2990 4340 3637.4 4255.76 5
Nick Frieders 21 open 184 85 *100 *65 200 185 155 155 200 26×85 2210 3350 3504.1 3504.1 6
Bill Clark 89 85 203 95 *44 *33 65 *65 *65 55 65 10×45 450 886 785.1 1677.65 7

* All lifts marked with an asterisk  are national records

**Lucas Hardie’s lifts are not eligible for records

The following lifters are not current members, but are from Canada, and are planning on joining prior to the 2nd quarter postal.  Their lifts are not eligible for records.   Please give them a warm welcome:

Name Age Age Division BW weight class Bench Press-1 arm-right Bench Press-1 arm-left Reg Park Bench Press Bench Press roman Chair Bench Press Feet in Air Bench Press Alternate Grip Bench Press Reverse Grip Bench Press-Close Grip (not eligible for USAWA records because not an official lift) Bench Press-Feet on Floor  (not eligible for USAWA records because not an official lift) Rampage Reps Rampage total weight Total pounds
Matt Macneil 36 open 270 125 135 135 270 95 345 315 315 200 345 48×135 6480 9735
Doug Sullivan 63 60 180 85 95 95 200 135 245 235 235 185 265 39×135 5265 7065
Robbie Baxter 27 open 238 110 100 95 200 125 225 225 245 185 235 29×115 3335 3335

All records are in pounds.  The three official system was used for everyone but Dave DeForest and Bill Clark with Dave and Bill being the judges.  Bill judged Dave and Dave judged Bill in the 1 official system for their lifts.

Dave DeForst record day
Snatch on knees 90
Clean and Press on knees 116
Clean and seated press-behind neck 105
Deadlift-stiff legged 280
Habecker Lift 250

 

Hip lift

By Eric Todd (Reposted from February 22, 2018)

Murdo Hip Lifting at the Deanna Springs Memorial

This is the third and final installment of articles regarding the lifts that will be contested at the Heavy Lift Championship.  This particular article is about the hip lift, which will be the last lift contested and the one in which the highest poundages should be attained.  Not unlike the other heavy lifts (including those that are not being contested-the harness lift and the back lift), the hip lift was a favorite of many of the old timers as it allows you to lift mostrous poundages.  It is the leverages and the short range of motion that allows that.  There are very few lifts out there where lifters can legitimately make the claim of having lifted a ton, but for some lifters, it is true in the hip lift.

The most ever lifted in the Hip lift was 2525 by John Carter who lifted it at the 1994 Heavy Lift Championship meet in Columbia, MO.  Big Frank Ciavattone was nipping on his heels with a 2515 pound effort at a record day in ‘07.  All the overall records in the 85 kilo to 125+ are at or above a ton.  Big numbers can be lifted in this discipline, and I do not imagine this year’s Heavy Lift Championship will be any different.

Steve Schmidt- one of the top 3 hip lifters in the history of the USAWA

The first time I did any of the heavy lifts, I did the hand and thigh and the hip lift at the Deanna Springs memorial in 2002.  The difference between my results in the two lifts was negligible, and I just figured I was good at the hand and thigh, but not the hip. My results for years were about the same.  It was until I got a heavy bar and hip belt of my own that I was able to tweak my technique and make noticeable results in the hip lift.  Now the difference in my PRs between the lifts is 760 pounds.

I will tell you the thing I learned that made the biggest difference in a moment.  First I want to get into the generalities of the lift.  The rules as stated in the USAWA Official Rulebook , 10th edition are as follows:

A Heavy Lift Bar is used in this lift. A hip belt is also used, which fits over the hips and around the waist. An adjustable chain and hook is attached to the hip belt so it may be attached to the Heavy Lift Bar. The width of the hip belt must not exceed 4 inches. Hands may be used as support on the legs during the lift, but must be free of contact at the completion of the lift. The lifter assumes a position in which the lifter is straddling the Heavy Lift Bar. Width of feet placement is optional, but the feet must be parallel and in line with the torso. The feet must not move during the lift, but the heels and toes may rise. The lifter may adjust the chain length to his/her preference prior to the lift. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion. The lifter is allowed one test lift to check the balance of the weight and to make adjustments to the chain length. The lifter will stand and lift the weights from the platform. The shoulders and torso do not have to be upright upon the finish of the lift. The legs must straighten, but the knees do not need to be locked. Once the weight is motionless, the hands free from the body, and the plates on both ends of the bar are off the platform at the same time, an official will give a command to end the lift.

The execution of this lift is rather simple.  Place the hip belt around your waist.  Straddle the big bar.  I always sit on the weights to attach my chain. Run the chain through the designated space in the bar, then back up to clasp to the other end of the hip belt.  Connect it at a length where you have some flex in your legs, but not a boat load.  You will want to start with your feet placed such that your chain is perpendicular to the floor. Start with your hands on your thighs, and drive up through your feet.  When both ends of the weight leave the floor simultaneously, remove your hands from your thighs.  At that point, you will get a “down” command from your official.

Now, the key in my eyes for this lift is the belt placement.  When i started off, I would put the hip belt about where my powerlifting belt sat, around my core.  So when I executed the lift, the belt was pressing against by lower back.  The more I practiced the lift, the more I realized this placement was wrong.  It is called a hip lift for a reason.  Push that hip belt down on your hips.  Anymore it is not on my low back at all, and that has helped my results tremendously.

So, there you have it.  Go find a big bar and a hip belt and give it a whirl.   You will lift more weight than you ever thought possible (unless you have done a back lift or a harness lift, then maybe you have lifted more). This will be the last lift contested at the Heavy Lift Championship.  It has more than once been the deciding factor in who the overall champion would be.  Now you have a primer for all three lifts.  So, time to get training and get that entry into the mail.  I will be waiting…

 

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