Tag Archives: Lifter of the Month

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, FEBRUARY 2025 – JEFF BANKENS

Jeff Bankens is the lifter of the Month for February.  Jeff is a newcomer to the organization, but has already made an impact by hosting the first ever USAWA meet in Louisiana and setting four records along the way.

Jeff is also active on USAWA’s social media platforms with (5) posts in February in addition to his strongman show clips in 2024.  Finally, Jeff is active in his church community and brings people of the world together not only through the Gospel, but also through strength sports.  Congratulations Jeff!

LIFTER OF THE MONTH, JANUARY 2025 – TONY LUPO

January is off to a great start and Tony Lupo is Lifter of the Month. He traveled down to Westlake, LA to help launch All-Round lifting in the Pelican State, took 2nd in the Bayou Beast Bash and set 5 records after the competition lifts were completed. He shows up live on the platform and has a jump on the competition for 2025 Road Warrior miles. Tony first appears in the record list starting in 2021 and has since accumulated 155 individual records in 138 different lifts and 9 team records. A true All-Rounder, he has set records in the Phumchaona Lift and the Carter Lift.

He was the 2023 Newcomer of the Year Runner Up and the inaugural recipient of the Al Myers Award presented at the 2024 Old Time Strongman World Postal Meet. Finally, he supports the USAWA as the Awards Director and the Records Director. Maintaining 19,000+ records is a daunting task that he has taken on without fanfare. Congratulations Tony!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as a future Lifter of the Month? Send nominations to the Secretary at bethskw@gmail.com

Lifter of the Month, November 2024

by Sanjiv Gupta

November is typically a slow month for USAWA, but Allison Lupo has certainly shined impressively completing all of the lifts in the Goerner Deadlift Dozen Plus One.  She has also quietly crept up the records list and holds 151 records (including 47 ALL age records) in 103 different lifts including presses, clean & Jerks, deadlifts, misc bar lifts, heavy lifts, strongman and special equipment lifts.  How many individuals can claim a record in the back lift, neck lift, hand & thigh lift, hip lift and harness lift?  She also shares 4 team lift records with Tony Lupo.  I have always felt like strength is for everyone and every age and since coming on the scene during the 2023 IAWA World Postal Championship, she has impressively competed in 27 different events in Missouri, Kentucky, and Fergus, Ontario, Canada.  Congratulations Allison!

Do you know a USAWA member who should be recognized as a future Lifter of the Month? Send nominations to the Secretary at bethskw@gmail.com.

Lifter of the Month-October 2021

By Eric Todd
The lifter of the month for October is World Champion Randy Smith! Though the pool of competitors was a little leaner than in previous world championships due to travel restrictions and covid concerns, you can only compete against those who show up. Randy did just that, and defeated the field of worthy opponents. Randy is also rather fresh off of a second place finish at nationals. This was Randy’s 4th runner up finish in nationals since 2009, coupled with his National Champion status in 2015 in York PA. The lifter of the month accolade is for his performance at 2021 Worlds. Way to go Randy! Well Deserved!

Lifter of the month of August

By Eric Todd

 

I am still inching forward toward catching up on our lifters of the month.  Lifter of the month of August was an easy choice.  This recognition goes to Beth Skwarecki for her dominating performance at the Presidential Cup.

Beth Skwarecki executes a Full Gardner earning her the 2021 Presidential Cup.

Beth Skwarecki executes a Full Gardner earning her the 2021 Presidential Cup.

Beth has been a dominating force in the USAWA since beginning her all-round career.  She has won both a national and world championship.  She currently serves on the executive board for the USAWA.  Elizabeth was awarded her Presidential Cup based on a Full Gardner of 55 pounds, with a second record lift of 198 on the Goerner Stroll.  Well deserved, and I look forward to seeing what the future brings for this very bright star.

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