By Eric Todd
I was very excited today to receive 6 new membership applications! 2 were from Frank’s barbell club, and the other 4 were all new Canadian members. It is very exciting to see new blood in our organization. And Franks club has been a stalwart in our organization with no indications of slowing down soon. Hopefully we can continue to grow our presence in Canada. Welcome aboard, folks!!!
By Dan Wagman
(This is a series of national meeting items Dan Wagman is proposing that may be discussed at National Metting)
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)
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.
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.
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:
Date: August 6, 2022
Location: Habecker’s Gym-Lebanon, PA
Entry: None, but please let Denny know if you are coming.
By Eric Todd
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
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
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* |