By Al Myers
MEET ANNOUNCEMENT –
DINO GYM CHALLENGE featuring a “tribute to Art Montini”
Art Montini was a very dear friend to me. It’s hard to believe that this spring is coming upon 4 years since his death. I had the opportunity to travel with Art to many overseas IAWA competitions and spent many a nights rooming with him. Art was a very intriguing man. One thing I know for certain – he loved the USAWA and all round weightlifting. He was always looking forward to his next meet and continued to train daily until his passing.
I have decided to make the Dino Gym Challenge this year as a tribute to Art. I picked several of Art’s favorite lifts for the competition. He was truly an all rounder and liked most all the lifts, but I feel these were his favorites as he often picked them for record days and his Gold Cup lifts. I just had to include a heavy lift in the meets lineup as Art loved his “chain lifts” and made it to many Heavy Lift Championships. I would say the Hip Lift was his favorite. He always had a heavy bar in Ambridge BBC all loaded up for the Hip Lift.
Of course, a meet in Art’s honor wouldn’t be complete without the Arthur Lift. Most would give credit for this lift to another Arthur, but Art did bring it to the USAWA so I’ll always say the Arthur Lift was named after Art Montini!!!
After the meet I will have food available so please make plans to stay awhile to grab a bite before you head home. Art just loved his Italian food so that’s what the menu will be.
Please let me know if you plan to be here so I can make proper arrangements. I’m hoping there will be many stories told about Art throughout the day. I know I have my share!!
MEET DETAILS:
Meet Director: Al Myers and the Dino Gym 785-479-2264
Meet Date: Saturday, January 15th, 2022 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Dino Gym, 1126 Eden Road, Abilene, KS 67410
Sanction: U.S.A.W.A Memberships cards can be purchased on meet day
Weigh-ins: 12:00 -1:00 PM the day of the meet
Divisions: Juniors, Women, Masters, and Open
Awards: None
Entry: None – but please notify me in advance if you plan to attend
Lifts:
Teeth Lift
Deadlift – Fingers, Middle
Deadlift – One Arm
Hip Lift
A teeth bit and a hip harness will be available to use, but if you want to bring your own that is preferred. A “shared” teeth bit probably wouldn’t meet any COVID precautionary protocols so if you got one please bring it.
After the meet there will be an exhibition Arthur Lift competition to honor Art and his legacy in the USAWA. It will not count towards the meet total, but will have a special prize for the overall winner in the Arthur Lift based on adjusted points and an overall winner based on total pounds lifted.
The next day (Sunday) there may be a scheduled time for record day lifts, but that will depend on the interest.