Tag Archives: All-Round Weightlifting

Joe Garcia and the Hand & Thigh

by Al Myers

A Hall of Fame Biography is now available for Joe Garcia.  Joe is famous for his Hand and Thigh Lifting – and holds the all-time record in this lift by lifting 1910 pounds! Not only has he lifted more than anyone in the history of the USAWA, but also of All Time, even exceeding the Hand and Thigh Lifts of the old time strongmen.

Joe Garcia with the Hand and Thigh Lift

Quiz Question: Name the lifter whose all-time record was broken by Joe Garcia, and the weight of the previous record.

Rules of contest: 1 answer per day, first correct answer to webmaster wins

Winner receives a USAWA Patch!!!!

Mike McBride, of Columbia Missouri, correctly answered the quiz. The

previous Hand and Thigh Lift record holder was the New Jersey Strongman,  Jack Walsh.  He did a Hand and Thigh Lift of 1900 pounds in 1950 at Trenton, New Jersey.  This beat the previous record held by Louis Cyr of Canada, who had a Hand and Thigh Lift of 1897 pounds, set in 1896.  Will it be another 50 years before Joe Garcia’s Hand and Thigh Lift record is broken?


Deanna Springs Meet

by Al Myers

Joe Garcia wins the Deanna Meet

Group Picture - Front row Bill Clark. Back row left to right Al Springs, Joe Garcia, Al Myers, and Chad Ullom

Four lifters made their way to Clark’s Gym during a late spring snow storm to participate in the Deanna Springs Memorial. The day I left for the meet I received over 6 inches of snow at home, which is unusual for Kansas in March. I was able to stay ahead of the storm and was fortunate that the weather had improved when it was time to return home. This meet is a memorial meet honoring the late Deanna Springs, who was the wife of Al Springs. So, it was a quite a highlight, when Al Springs showed up!!! Al has had a rough year having just had heart bypass surgery this year. He has been involved with the USAWA for many years, not just as a lifter but also as a meet promoter. Most lifters would give up lifting after heart surgery. But Al is a hardcore lifter, like many of the other USAWA lifters, and shows what determination is all about. He is a true inspiration to everyone!! Joe Garcia easily won the meet with his strength in the heavy lifts. Joe made a huge hip lift of 1875#, and almost made 2075#. Joe is a technician in the heavy lifts. One thing I really admire about Joe is his willingness to share lifting tips with his competitors. My training partner Chad Ullom again turned in a solid lifting performance. Chad is a very well-rounded lifter and has very few weak lifts. I want to thank Bill Clark again for hosting this annual event. We concluded the day with our traditional post-meet meal at the Golden Corral. Everyone left with sore muscles and a full belly.

FULL MEET RESULTS:

Deanna Springs Memorial Meet
March 28, 2009
Clark’s Gym, Columbia, Missouri

Meet Director: Bill Clark
Official (1 official system used): Bill Clark
Loader: James Foster

Lifts:  Crucifix, Cheat Curl, Hand and Thigh, Hip Lift, Deanna Lift

Lifter Age BW Crucifix Cheat Curl H&T Hip Deanna Total Points
Joe Garcia 55 240 70 155 1275 1875 575 3950 3711.88
Al Myers 42 253 90 190 1105 1475 755 3615 2936.31
Chad Ullom 37 232 80 175 1105 1475 665 3500 2886.45
Al Springs 67 212 40 65 375 525 235 1240 1373.01

Body weight in pounds.  All lifts in pounds.

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