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Nationals results 2022

By Eric Todd

Nationals 2022 in Lebanon, PA

Nationals 2022 in Lebanon, PA

Nationals 2022 is over and in the books, and what a nationals it was! Karen and Steve Gardner joined us from over in the United Kingdom to help out.  Several lifters who have lifted together and against each other for 30 years or better showed up to do battle.  It was truly some of the OGs (original gangsters-for those of you all-rounders who are not hip) and it was very cool to see.  We also had what may have been the very youngest lifter at nationals in Daphne Lansdown.  Don’t quote me on this, as I am not going to go back through decades of files, but Daphne lifted at nationals at an age of 6 years old, and her energy was refreshing.

6 year old Daphne Lansdown executing a clean and press

6 year old Daphne Lansdown executing a clean and press

It was also exciting to watch the bitter rivalry unfold between Grandfather and Grandson.  The old dog (Denny) and the young pup (Aiden) went back and forth all day.  Last year’s national and world champion, Beth Skwarecki was on hand to defend her crown.  Big Frank Ciavattone was on hand.  Frank is the leader of Frank’s Barbell Club, and has many national and world titles to his name.

Frank Ciavattone breaking a record in the Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 Arm

Frank Ciavattone breaking a record in the Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 Arm

Barry Pensyl made it out to compete as well.  I enjoyed Barry’s stories of lifting for Bob Hoffman with the old York Barbell outfit.  Barry Bryan served as our head official, while Judy Habecker recorded attempts and Steve Gardner served as a very competent announcer. The banquet this year was some amazing barbeque prepared by Judy and served at the Habecker residence.  The lifting this day was great, and the experience one I will remember.

MEET RESULTS:

2022 USAWA National Championships
Habecker residence, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
June 25th, 2022

Meet Director: Denny Habecker

Meet Announcer: Steve Gardner

Meet Scorekeeper: Judy Habecker

Meet Loaders: Barry Bryan and all the lifters pitched in

Officials: Head Official-Barry Bryan

Side Officials: Karen Gardner, Beth Skwarecki, Denny Habecker, Frank                                                  Ciavattone, Barry Pensyl, Eric Todd

Lifts: Clean and Push press, Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 arm, Continental to Belt, Pullover and Press, Deadlift-Trap Bar

Notes: BWT is bodyweight in kilos. All lifts recorded in kilos.  R and L designate right and left.  * denotes a record lift.  ^ denotes a record in the national competition category. 

WOMEN’S DIVISION

Lifter age age division weight weight class Clean and Push press DL-Fulton DB-1 arm Continental to belt Pullover and Press DL-Trap bar total adjusted points place
Beth Skwarecki 41 40 66.7 70 55*^ 45(L)*^ 97.5*^ 60*^ 140 397.5 579 1st
Daphne Lansdown 6 13 22.1 25 7.5*^ 7(R)*^ 12.5*^ 12.5*^ 24 63.5 299.8 2nd

Extra Attempts for records:

Daphne Lansdown-Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 arm-9.0 (R)

Daphne Lansdown-Deadlift-Trap bar- 30

Beth Skwarecki-Clean and Pushpress-56

MEN’S DIVISION

Lifter age age division weight weight class Clean and Push press DL-Fulton DB-1 arm Continental to belt Pullover and Press DL-Trap bar total adjusted points place
Denny Habecker 79 75 86.8 90 47.5 55(R)^ 100 75 125 402.5 567.9 1st
Eric Todd 47 45 122 125 102.5*^ 57.5(L) 182.5 145*^ 190 677.5 559.8 2nd
Bary Pensyl 74 70 63.7 65 35* 37.5(R)*^ 80* 55 110*^ 320 513.1 3rd
Aidan Habecker 18 18 87.4 90 55 60(R)*^ 120* 67.5 190* 482.5 453.8 4th
Frank Ciavattone 67 65 127.4 125+ 25* 78(R)*^ 70 65* 90 327.5 318.9 5th

Extra Attempts for records:

Barry Pensyl-Deadlift-Fulton Dumbbell-1 arm-40

Denny Habecker- Clean and Push press -56

President and this years national meet promoter crowns your 2022 overall champion: Beth Skwarecki!

President and this years national meet promoter crowns your 2022 overall champion: Beth Skwarecki!

Best Lifter Awards

Women’s Master: Beth Skwarecki

Women’s Junior: Daphne Lansdown

Women’s Overall: Beth Skwarecki

Men’s Master: Denny Habecker

Men’s Junior: Aiden Habecker

Men’s Master 45-49: Eric Todd

Men’s Master 70-74 Barry Pensyl

Men’s master 65-69: Frank Ciavattone

Highest Total: Eric Todd

Overall Grand Champion: Beth Skwarecki

 

Ciavattone Award

By Al Myers

Al Myers receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

Al Myers receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

One of the highlights from the IAWA Awards Banquet was the presentation of the Ciavattone Award, presented by Frank Ciavattone.  I was extremely honored to have received this award, and it came as a total surprise to me.  It has been many years since the Ciavattone Award has been presented to anyone, but it is an award that I remembered from the “early days” of our organization.  Also,  Steve and Karen Gardner from England received the Ciavattone Award at the banquet – the first time it has been awarded to someone outside of the USAWA.  Steve and Karen are well deserving of this honor.  Both of them have had great influence on the USAWA even though they are IAWA-UK members.  Steve has announced at many, many IAWA events in the states through the years.  His leadership at these competitions are a big part why these meets were so successful.  Karen does so much work for IAWA “behind the scenes”.  I want to point out the reason we have so many pictures on Facebook of these past World Championships are because of her!  That’s a big job at meets to take photos while also competing.  I very much appreciate everything Karen does for us.

Steve and Karen Gardner receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

Steve and Karen Gardner receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.

I would like to take today to explain the history of the Ciavattone Award.  This Award is very much dedicated to the memory of Frank’s parents and the influence they had on him, as well as the support they have given to IAWA/USAWA throughout the years. That’s what made receiving this Award so special to me.  My parents have also been tremendously supportive of me in my lifting pursuits thru the years, and I know I have not thanked them enough for this.  I could not have promoted this past Worlds to the success it had without their help.  This is a hard blog for me to write, finding the right words to truly express the significance of the Ciavattone Award.   I have asked Frank to help me  – and the following is part of an email he sent me.  It is a heartfelt message from him, and describes the Ciavattone Award much better than I ever could.

It’s about a lot of things! It started after my Dad passed after he had numerous operations in his 63 years on earth. When he passed this 300lb man went down to 80lbs. And yes NO ARMS OR NO LEGS!  Due to Burgess Disease which attacks the circulatory system. 

He was a true STRONGMAN who never never would let you feel sorry for him. Over the years many of the great men/lifters like Bill Clark, Art Montini, Steve Gardner, Steve Angell, Howard Prechtel, John Vernacchio, Denny Haybecker and the list goes on! All these heroes of mine all met my Dad! As each of them met him and walked away they all had a tear in their eye. It was at this time I knew our sport was no doubt the Greatest Sport! He spent 2+ Years in Korea! Do to his experience of operating a huge “Steam Shovel” Power Shovel he spent a good part of the war on the 38th Parallel and with 100,000 of thousands of casualties (deaths). You can figure out what his job was! I have all the pictures! 
 
On a brighter note we basically were poor but my parents always gave us a wonderful Christmas! But guess who was Santa Claus for the kids even less fortunate than us. You guessed it my Dad! Every Christmas that I can remember my Dad would leave the house for as long as it took and delivered toys to around 100 families! As I got of age I was part of it! A feeling I will never forget!
 
During the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1973 he organized the funeral for any Marine that got killed in action from our County. Also opened our house up for the 38 different Marines who needed a father son relationship before returning to their family. Some lived with us for months! My Mom was there as their mother at those tough times! My Mother came from the same mold! She had her own battles except not being in the war. She took care of my Dad from his first amputation to his passing and not once complained or put him in a Nursing Home! And it doesn’t take a smart person to realize how much she did for him! While fighting Cancer herself! She had Cancer in 6 different areas. Up until her passing July 4th this year she continued her strength, courage and leadership while coping losing a grandson and one of her daughters but also mothered my other 3 sisters and brother plus myself as we all battled Cancer! Through her strength we are survivors!
They both were the TRUE meaning of COURAGE! While all this they showed LEADERSHIP by opening their home to all, especially the USAWA & IAWA LIFTERS. They LOVED all the lifters from here USA or abroad! They made sure they had a place to sleep and plenty to eat! A truly mutual respect by all! NEVER one complaint and always total respect! At the meets my Dad would Referee even without limbs and my Mom would make sure all were fed even if she came from Radiation or other treatments! This kind of covers what the CIAVATTONE AWARD is about! I could write a book on all they have done Humanity! 
I think you will agree it covers:
1. Leadership 
2. Loyal to the sport of All-ROUND LIFTING WORLD WIDE
3. And the main theme! “COURAGE “ “365 DAYS A YEAR”
I want to thank Frank for sharing these personal thoughts of his with us.  It had to be a difficult thing to do, as he reflected on the true meaning of the Ciavattone Award. I know I speak for all of us when I say that Frank himself also exemplifies the qualities listed above. The past Ciavattone Award recipients are as follows:
USAWA:
Howard Prechtel
Noi Phumachiano
Bill Clark
John Vernachio
Denny Haybecker
Dennis Mitchell
Dale Friez
Rex Monahan
Al Myers
IAWA:
Steve Gardner
Karen Gardner
I plan to keep the Ciavattone Award recipients listed in our history archive on the website so this important award is always remembered. I hope Frank continues presenting the Ciavattone Award in the future to those he feels deserving.  I have received many awards during my days of lifting, but receiving this one means more to me than the others.  I only have two of my lifting awards hanging in my personal office – my USAWA Hall of Fame Award and the Ciavattone Award. That’s how important it is to me.

IAWA(UK) Goerner Club

By Al Myers

Past IAWA President Steve Gardner hoisting up a big Middle Finger Deadlift at the 2000 IAWA Gold Cup!

Past IAWA President Steve Gardner hoisting up a big Middle Finger Deadlift at the 2000 IAWA Gold Cup!

It’s only appropriate that I do a followup on the Goerner Club and the IAWA(UK) as there have been many great Middle Finger Deadlifters in the IAWA(UK) as well as the USAWA.  Finger lifting has always been very popular in England and Scotland.  At every IAWA Gold Cup someone from the IAWA(UK) does some sort of finger lift.  I’ve mentioned that the USAWA has 17 different finger lifts but the IAWA(UK) Rulebook has 22 different lifts done with the fingers! Overall the IAWA(UK) has many less official lifts than the USAWA but not when it comes to the fingers!

So how many IAWA(UK) lifters are there in the Goerner Club?  Does the number exceed the USAWA? Well, I did some checking into this. I recieved help from the finger specialist himself, Steve Gardner, to make this list.  I hope it’s complete, but if anyone is left off the list please let me know and I’ll give you the recognition you deserve.

IAWA(UK) Goerner Club

1. David Horne, England 402.2 Pounds, June 29, 1994
2. Steve Gardner, England 352.5 Pounds, Feb 8, 1992
3. Andy Tomlin, Scotland 352.5 Pounds, Nov 3, 2012
4. John Gardner, England 330.5 Pounds, May 12, 2007
5. M. Street, England 330.5 Pounds, Jan 13, 1994
6. Steve Sherwood, England 330.5 Pounds, Feb. 8th, 1992

That’s SIX LIFTERS. It looks like the USAWA has some catching up to do!!!  But amongst the Goerner Club members who are from the USAWA and the IAWA(UK) the BEST ALL TIME  Middle Fingers Deadlifter is not included.  If anyone knows the answer to this please let it  be known in the Discussion Forum. Anyone who has been involved at all in the last few years should know who it is as it’s pretty obvious.  I plan to do a feature on this lifter in the near future because he is WITHOUT A DOUBT the best finger lifter in IAWA history.

Andy Goddard

By Al Myers

Below is a tribute to Andy Goddard by Steve Gardner.  Steve just recently shared this on Facebook.  I knew and competed with Andy through the years and he was a true gentleman on the platform.  We have kept Andy’s memory alive with the annual IAWA World Postal Championships, which is also know as the “Andy Goddard Memorial Meet”.

Andy Goddard

Andy Goddard lifted overhead by Steve!

Here I am with my old friend and all round lifter Andy Goddard. Andy was one of the nicest guys I ever knew, he was a loyal team mate and friend. In his earlier years he had been an Army Boxing Champion but Cancer stopped his career. Some years later I met Andy and he started lifting, he was a real strong fella with a great sense of humour who would take anything on. Sadly the cancer came back and finished him.  Andy lifted in the Worlds in the October and set World Records, but he passed only a few months later. We keep his name alive with the World Postal event. In this photo Andy and I were in Perth Australia for the Worlds, and the local press reporter asked us to do something for the photo, there were no weights at hand so I lifted Andy above my head which they all loved. For some reason Andy didnt want to try and lift me lol! … – Steve Gardner

Gold Cup

by Steve Gardner

James Gardner won the overall Gold Cup Award, the Prechtel Memorial Award, with this amazing lift in the Shoulder Drop of 92.5 kilograms!

The Gold Cup took place at the Burton Powerhouse All Round Weightlifting Academy in Burton on Trent on Saturday 25th October. In short…it was a fantastic day! We had 56 lifters entered for the day, the biggest turnout in IAWA’s 28 year history for an International event, with 6 Nations represented (Unfortunately Kim and Graham Alway had to leave before the event started due to a death in the family and our deepest sympathy goes out to them) but it was still a massive event.

I was so proud to be there on the day with so many great people and to witness them performing so many outstanding lifts. Thanks to all the overseas lifters who brought the International Flare. Every lifter brought new energy to the platform and we saw about 50 different lifts performed to exceptional standard, I wish I could mention them all in this report but there are just too many.  There were several records on the day that were the ‘heaviest ever performed’ in IAWA. I know big Mark Haydock had two….one in the 2 Inch Bar Deadlift and one in the Alternate Grip Clean and Press. James Gardner also with a massive 92.5 kilos in the Shoulder Drop, and Neil Keddy too with the French Press I think. James’s lift earned him the ‘Howard Prechtel Memorial Award’ which was presented to him by last years winner  Al Myers’ and Neil Keddys exceptional 60k French Press saw him in the Runners Up spot. The lifting was just ‘Outstanding’ and Frank Ciavattone hit big numbers in the Ciavattone Deadlift. It was great for me to see my 8 year old Grandson Dominic perform a lift to earn a Gold Cup, and my heart melted when I heard he asked his Mum if the cups were real Gold. So proud to have lifted on the same platform as my Wife, and my two Sons: John and James and also my Grandson..three generations! I am so very pleased with the tremendous help from my team members at our Burton Club as they helped load all the lifts for the other loaders. Everyone helped everyone else, and that is what enabled us to get through at least 275 record attempts. The final showdown between Al Myers and his Dad Laverne brought the house down as they went head to head in the struggle for supremacy in the One Hand 2 inch Dumbbell Deadlift, Laverne winning out over Al in the finish. It was most refreshing to have 12 female competitors really leading the way for the Ladies..well done girls, and 8 Junior lifters as well, from young Dominic at 8 yrs, Elena De La Mata at 9yrs through to Matt Jones at 18yrs and Maddie Ell at 19 yrs, well done young ones you are the future of our sport. Our Masters division was really well represented too with 78 yrs old Gerry Davidson our most Senior lifter on the day.

Steve Gardner (right) was presented this new gym sign by IAWA President Al Myers (left) for all his hard work in promoting the IAWA Gold Cup on behalf of the IAWA membership.

It was just so great to have so many people from the IAWA family with me, and the evening Dinner and Presentation was also tremendous. As well as the Gold Cup presentation, I was knocked out by the super present given to me by Al Myers..the stunning Gym sign to hang in the Burton Powerhouse, thanks again big Al. And then later in the evening, well how could anyone forget Nick Swain and his mate Ben performing as ‘ The King Elvis’s..Lol! Just Priceless.Thanks again to everyone, and I mean everyone who helped me to make the day a great success…..Long Live IAWA!

MEET RESULTS:

2014 IAWA Gold Cup
Burton Powerhouse Gym
Burton, England
October 25th, 2014

Meet Promoter:  Steve Gardner

Announcer: Steve Gardner

Recorder: Judy Habecker

Record Keeper: Chris Bass

Loaders: All members from Powerhouse Gym

Officials:  Several IAWA Officials in attendance

Results (PDF) – Gold Cup 2014 Results

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