USAWA

By Eric Todd

The Sportsmanship award reads as follows:

This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by a specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

This year’s runner-up in this category is Chris Todd. Chris was also selected as runner-up for this award back in 2022. Though a fine lifter in his own right, he maintains a pleasant demeanor no matter the how the chips fall. Chris will help anyone out on or off the platform.

The winner in this category this year is Sanjiv Gupta from Colorado. Sanjiv is relatively new to the USAWA, but has become an immediate contributor. He has started his own club and has already put on meets., Sanjiv took the test and completed his practical training sessions and became a level one certified official. He even took on the daunting task of helping out our record keeper. Through all of this, Sanjiv maintains a positive attitude. He always has a kind word to share and is always there to help out. Congrats guys! Well deserved!

By Eric Todd

The newcomer award is described as such:

This award goes to an individual who in new to the USAWA or has become involved again. It doesn’t have to go to someone in their first year of being involved in the USAWA.

This year’s newcomer of the year, runner up went to Chip Hultquist out of Buffville Gym in Kentucky. Chip was the Buffville Push/Pull champion at 73 years old.

This year’s first place winner in the newcomer of the month category is Jeff Wenzel out of Clark’s Gym in Columbia, MO. Jeff was third place in the Zercher Strength Classic. He was tied for tenth in our 2023 Postal series, having lifted well in all four legs of the series. He also took second place in the Schmidt’s Backbreaker Pentathlon, losing only to Heavy Lifter extraordinaire, John Carter.

Congrats to the both of you; well deserved!