Tag Archives: Gold Cup

Gold Cup

By Al Myers

Group picture from the 2016 IAWA Gold Cup in Abilene, KS.

Group picture from the 2016 IAWA Gold Cup in Abilene, KS.

I was honored to be able to promote the IAWA Gold Cup this year.  The Gold Cup has had a prestigious past, with many great meet promoters putting on top notch shows. These past promotors set the bar high for me!  I felt everything went very well.  There was lots of great lifting and many new IAWA World Records set.  Right now I feel a sense of relief that the meet is over and it was a success!

We had one Junior Lifter, my daughter Molly Myers.  Molly started the event with a tremendous back squat of 110 KGS.  She did this lift without knee wraps and a belt (she forgot her belt!). One thing that makes the Gold Cup very special is that it is a true World event every year.  Peter Phillips made the trip from Perth, Australia to do a 155KG Thumbless Grip Deadlift. Timo Lauttamus represented Finland and performed an amazing 100KG Little Finger Hacklift. Steve Gardner from England started the meet off with a 80KG Middle Fingers Straddle. Karen Gardner from England continues to show her many all round lifting skills by lifting 32.5KG in the Hands Together Bench Press.  George Dick from Scotland always keeps the crowd entertained, and in the process set a new World Record with a 45KG Dumbbell & Barbell Anyhow. A couple of other lifters that really stood out included Eric Todd with a 60KG Lying Lateral Raise and 89 year old Art Montini with a 80 KG Deadlift.

Timo Lauttamus and his outstanding Little Fingers Deadlift of 100 KG.

Timo Lauttamus and his outstanding Little Fingers Deadlift of 100 KG.

For the past several years an outstanding Best Lifter of the Gold Cup has been awarded. The award is named the Howard Prechtel Memorial Award, in honor of Howard Prechtel for starting the Gold Cup many years ago. This year’s winner was Timo Lauttamus with his outstanding Little Fingers Hack. Second Place went to LaVerne Myers, and third place went to Peter Phillips.

Winner of the Howard Prechtel Award was Timo Lauttamus (center). Peter Phillips from Australia was third (left) and LaVerne Myers was second (right).

Winner of the Howard Prechtel Award was Timo Lauttamus (center). Peter Phillips from Australia was third (left) and LaVerne Myers was second (right).

I have many people who I need to thank for helping me throughout the weekend.  First up is my dad LaVerne. He served as co-promoter for the Gold Cup and really helped coordinating the meet venue and hosting several lifters at his home. My wife Leslie catered the meal herself, and did an excellent job. I may be biased but I felt the banquet meal was one of the best ever!  I especially want to thank the crew that helped with loading and setup – Brad Wehling, Jason Lahr, and Kyle Jones. I couldn’t believe we did the meet set up in only an hour. Steve Gardner was brilliant on the microphone all day as well as doing all the scorekeeping. My buddies Chad and Thom helped so much as well.   Lastly, I can’t say enough about all the help I got from Peter Phillips. Peter was spending the week with me and I put him to work! Peter helped me get all the equipment ready and loaded the day before, helped with set up and tear down, officiated all day, and then helped me unload everything once I got it back home. He was my right-hand man! I especially want to thank all the lifters that took part in this event.

This day was a great day in the history of the IAWA.

Meet Results:

2016 IAWA Gold Cup
Abilene Civic Center
Abilene, KS, USA
October 22nd, 2016

Meet Promoters: Al Myers and LaVerne Myers

Announcer and Scorekeeper: Steve Gardner

Officials (3-official system used): George Dick, Peter Phillips, Denny Habecker, Dennis Mitchell, Chad Ullom, LaVerne Myers, Al Myers, Thom Van Vleck

Loaders: Chad Ullom, Al Myers, Jason Lahr, Dean Ross, Molly Myers

Results (PDF) – iawa-gold-cup

Gold Cup

by Al Myers

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT

2016 IAWA GOLD CUP

I’m very excited to be part of the promotion of this year’s Gold Cup.  My father LaVerne has agreed to help me so I’ve named him co-promoter so he won’t change his mind on helping me.

The Gold Cup is one of the two big competitions (the IAWA Worlds is the other) that the International All Round Weightlifting Association promotes each year.  Something that we should be proud of as an organization is that the Gold Cup has been an annually event since it began in 1991.  No missed years.  There have been many great meet promoters through the years that have made this possible – all starting with the legend Howard Prechtel coming up with the idea of the Gold Cup and promoting the very first one.

Please join me and help make this year’s IAWA Gold Cup one of the best ever!

ENTRY FORM (PDF) – 2016 Gold Cup Entry Form

 

Gold Cup

by Al Myers

Group picture from the 2015 IAWA Gold Cup in Perth, Western Australia.

Group picture from the 2015 IAWA Gold Cup in Perth, Western Australia.

I’m finally back home and adjusting to the time changes from my recent trip to Perth, Australia competing in the IAWA Gold Cup.  It’s a long ways to travel – but was well worth it as I had an outstanding time there.  Trips like this one creates memories far beyond the meet experience.  I was very fortunate on this meet trip that my wife Leslie and daughter Molly traveled with me. It was the FARTHEST they have ever flown before!  Now for some “reflections” on the 2015 IAWA Gold Cup.

First of all, meet promoter John Mahon did a phenomenal job.  He had carefully planned a three day event for the lifters. The first day consisting of the Gold Cup, the second day consisting of a Heavy Events competition, and the final day consisting of the very first ever international Old Time Strongman Challenge.  I will elaborate more on a later date on the OTSM and Heavy Events events in a blog, as today I want to stay focused on the Gold Cup.  John had a tremendous support group from his fellow Australian All Rounders to put on this event.  I know from my meet promotions that you can’t do it all by yourself – and how important it is to have help from others.  Peter Phillips really “stepped up” to help John.  Peter is a true warrior with the iron and besides being a great lifter, is a great person.  Peter competed ALL THREE DAYS, helped set up and tear down each day, hosted all of us at his house one night for an unbelievable Australian Barbie, took a day to join us for a tour of the farming country, loaded and officiated, and even celebrated his birthday amongst the weekend’s festivities!  Sam Trew has been a very involved lifter in IAWA events these past few years and worked hard “behind the scenes” setting up the competion venues.  Robin Lukosius kept everything organized and on schedule, as well as taking lots of pictures of the events (THANKS Robin for the photos!).  Others Australians very involved in this event were Anne Whitehead and the legendary John Patterson (I plan to do a story later on John).  I was glad to see other Australian lifters like Hercules Perryman, Bill Kappel,  Monica Cook, and others I’m sure I’m forgetting to mention.  The overall hospitality shown by the Australians was superb and way beyond expectations.

Injuries kept several out of the Gold Cup, but the lifting was outstanding. This was a true international event with the USAWA and the IAWA(UK) being in attendance with lifters competing.  My daughter Molly was the youngest lifter and performed great with her lifting. I was actually more nervous when she was on the platform than myself. She set new records in the Clean and Push Press with 55K, and then set the heaviest women’s Front Squat on the books with a 92.5K.  USAWA President Denny Habecker picked a difficult Gold Cup lift with the 2-Bar Deadlift, and after getting some balance issues out of the way in his warmups, lifted a solid 145K.   Veteran English lifter Steve Gardner again showed his strength with his fingers, lifting a big 100 KG in the Middle Fingers Straddle. Steve was busy all day with lifting and announcing the competition.  Karen Gardner looked really on good form with a big Continental Clean.  Graham Saxton rounded out the English crew, and showcased his pulling strength with a big dumbbell deadlift.  I got to spend alot of time over the week with Graham as we were all sharing a rental on a beach house.  Graham probably got more sun exposure than he has for years and kept getting redder as the week progressed.  By the end of our stay we were referring to him as BIG RED!

Peter Phillips breaking the oldest IAWA record on the books in the Feet in the Air Bench Press. He broke a record held by Howard Prechtel which was set in 1989.

Peter Phillips breaking the oldest IAWA record on the books of all the lifters in the Feet in the Air Bench Press. He broke a record held by Howard Prechtel which was set in 1989.

Besides the Howard Prechtel Award, the Australians awarded a couple of special awards which I thought added a special local flare.  Peter Phillips won the Award for breaking the oldest IAWA record on the books with his fine 122.5K Bench Press with feet in air. This record breaking performance broke a mark previous held by a 1989 record of the late Howard Prechtel’s! The Gold Cup was the “brainchild” of Howard’s – and it gives me pleasure to see us recognize his memory every year with it. Records are meant to be broken – and I have always said if it means something to someone to break one of your records that even makes your record even more noteworthy. I’m sure Howard would have liked to see Peter take down this old record of his.   Also – a Wilf Chapman Award was given to the lifter who broke a record by the greatest percentage.  I knew Wilf when he was alive, and he was a dynamic personality.  I found this award to be fitting in his honor, as he was always complaining about the IAWA correction formulas!  The award went to Sam Trew with his record setting performance in the Left Hand Hacklift.

The Gold Cup concluded with a very fine banquet at the Belmont Recreational Center.  Much thanks and appreciation goes to those who prepared this fine meal. Great lifting – great food – great drink – great conversations – the true essence of the IAWA!

MEET RESULTS (PDF) – IAWA Gold Cup 2015

IAWA Gold Cup

by John Mahon and Sam Trew, Gold Cup Meet Promoters

MEET ANNOUNCEMENT -2015 IAWA GOLD CUP

Perth , Australia

This is the first ever that the IAWA Gold Cup has ever been held in Australia and we are excited to be promoting it. To ensure that the first ever Australian Gold Cup is trip worth making we have decided to turn the event into a 3 day tour. Consisting of the Gold Cup, a Heavy Events competition and an Old Time Strong Man competition. This will be a trip Down Under worth making and we look forward to catching up with our All-Round Weightlifting family.

 2015 IAWA GOLD CUP

LOCATION:

Belmont Sports and Recreation Club (BSRC),

Corner of Abernethy Road and Keane Street Cloverdale, Western Australia 6105
PROMOTER:

John Mahon and Sam Trew.

Phone:  John Mahon on +6138803639

Email: jflmahon@gmail.com
SANCTIONED BY: ARWLWA/ IAWA
DATE: Friday 27th November 2015
WEIGH IN:

10am

Lifting starts at 12pm sharp.
ENTRY FEE: $85 – T  Shirt included in the price.
AWARDS: Gold Cup and Howard Prechtel Memorial Cup.
CLASSES: All weight classes and Weight divisions will be recognized
ATTEMPTS:

ALL Lifters must submit their first nominated attempts at the weigh in. Also nominate a second attempt incase the first attempt is unsuccessful.  If time permits we will allow lifters to perform both lifts. Please note that the opening weight on the lifters chosen attempt MUST be for a new World Record.

If in the event that a lifter wants to participate in the event but unable or in ineligible to break a World Record they will allowed to lift for the Silver Cup – this for a National Record, a Club Record or a Personal Record.
BANQUET AND PRESENTATIONS: From 6:30pm onwards– This will Also be held at the Belmont Sports and Recreation Club. The BSRC is a fully licensed venue. Ticket costs: $30

ENTRY FORM (PDF) – 2015 IAWA GOLD CUP TOUR Entry Form

INFORMATION SHEET (PDF) – 2015 IAWA GOLD CUP INFORMATION SHEET

 

Burton Record Session

by Al Myers

Group picture from the Burton Powerhouse Record Session.

I had an absolutely great time last weekend in England at the 2014 IAWA Gold Cup, promoted by Steve Gardner of the Burton Powerhouse Gym.   I met so many great enthusiastic all rounders, and witnessed some outstanding lifting.  Plus I got to share stories with many ole friends from overseas, and be part of the largest attended Gold Cup in IAWA history.

However, the fun didn’t end on the day of the Gold Cup for me.  The Monday afterwards Steve hosted a Record Day Session in his gym for his gym members which my Dad, Denny, and I got to be part of.  Since there were SO MANY lifters at the Gold Cup, it was virtually impossible for everyone to get their second Gold Cup lift in on the meet day.  All of the Burton gym members, along with myself, my dad, and Denny postponed our second lifts for this record session to help accommodate getting the Gold Cup finished on time.

I truly enjoy getting the opportunity to lift in new gyms – especially gyms whose training focus is All Round Weightlifting. Steve has just recently moved his gym to a new facility which is much larger.  This was my first time seeing his new gym, and I was very impressed!  Steve has the gym set up with great lifting atmosphere, with the walls lined with many pictures, awards, and  other items of motivation.  I tried to take it all in – but know I missed some of it.  It has to be one of the best All Round gyms in the World!

Eight  Burton Powerhouse gym members took part in this Record Session (James Gardner, Chris Findon, Graham Saxton, Steve Gardner, Karen Gardner, John Gardner, Pete Tryner, and Paula Thompson), plus myself, my dad LaVerne, and Denny Habecker.  This made for a full night of lifting!   Steve ran the evening of lifting like he runs meets – very efficiently and quick.  The two platforms were constantly in action with more record lifts being done.   I was most impressed with Chris Findon doing a dumbbell Snatch of 48Kg after recent elbow surgery, Big Graham and John’s 2 man hack lift of 350 Kg,  and Karen’s 90 kg Trap Bar Deadlift.   And I got to add that getting to see Denny set another record in the Pullover and Push was a pleasure (remember to get the big belly bounce Denny!!!).    Denny was eating so well on this trip that he went UP a weight class in 2 days after the Gold Cup and decided to pick his same Gold Cup lift for his record session lift!

Denny Habecker with a record 95 KG Pullover and Push.

I picked the Index Finger Hack Lift for my second lift – and succeeded with a 90 kg lift which I was pleased with.  I still have the proof of that lift on my torn left index finger as I type.  After watching John Gardner lift a huge thumbless grip DL at the Gold Cup, and since this is also on of my favorite lifts,  I talked John into joining me for a 2 man thumbless deadlift.  This is not an official lift in IAWA, so we were doing it just for fun.  We lifted 345 Kgs, and just missed 365.   We have our sights set on 400 KG now!

The evening ended with myself introducing the Burton Gym to teeth lifting.  I made a teeth bit for them, and challenged Graham to a lift off.  This was not really a fair fight, since Graham has never done any teeth lifting before and I have, but he was a gamer and took me on.  We had lots of fun with it – and I bet the next time I go back to the Burton Powerhouse the gym will have mastered the teeth lifting and will be putting up big numbers in it.

All this was finished in an hour and a half.    I want to thank Steve and all the members of the Burton Powerhouse Gym for all they do for the IAWA, and especially for their work in making the 2014 IAWA Gold Cup a great success!

MEET RESULTS (PDF) – Record_Session_at_Burton_27.10.14

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