I.A.W.A.(UK)

From Gary Ell, Drug Control Officer….

“I’m pleased to announce that recent drug testing samples from the British Powerlifting Championship in Essex returned WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) negative results”

Three special presentations were made after the British Power Championships and Southern Shield Events on Sunday 3rd March.

You can see more about these awards in a new section on the website here.

Steve Andrews was awarded the ‘Britains Best All-Round Weightlifter’ trophy for taking the overall champion title for the 2023 Bob Smith All-Round Postal League.

Glenn Branch was awarded the ‘Edward Aston’ trophy for achieving the highest total in the ‘Aston Set’ for 2023.

The Aston set is the Front Squat, One Hand Snatch and the Continental Clean & Jerk.

Steve Andrews was awarded the ‘Bert Spencer memorial’ trophy for achieving the highest total in the ‘Spencer’ set for 2022.

The Spencer Set is the 2 Dumbbells Clean & Press, 2 Dumbbells Clean & Jerk and the 2 Dumbbells Swing.

A few words from Steve Gardner:

What a day we have had, a long day with 29 lifters hitting the platform to compete in the British Powerlifting Championships followed by the Southern Shield competition at Billericay in Essex today. First of all big thanks go to Glenn Branch and all of his support team at Bionic Branch for hosting such a wonderful event, and especially to the loaders and catchers who were magnificent.

The lifting was outstanding and many record marks were broken and surpassed. We had Juniors and ladies, open division and Master lifters, ages from 16 to 70+. Really great to see so many new lifters to IAWA(uk) lifting alongside many regular and longstanding members, a truly amazing day!

Best Junior lifter – James Rutter,
Best Female lifter – Suzie Richards
Best Open lifter – Dave Watts
Best Master lifter – Glenn Branch

In the Overall Best lifter rankings:
5th Millie Clarke
4th Suzie Richards
3rd Josh Davidson
2nd Glenn Branch
1st David Watts – Winner of the Steve Angell Memorial Shield

Winner of the Southern Shield:
1st Josh Davidson
2nd Gary Ell
3rd Jamie Oates

Well done everyone you all made the event so exciting….. it really was a long day, a bit of a marathon, but we kept it moving the best we could and at the end of the day we are just so lucky we had so many wonderful lifters enter and compete, yes, what a day, here’s to many more……

Click here to see the full results of the British Power Championship

Click here to see the full results of the Southern Shield

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2024-Southern-Shield-3rd-march-Club-3B

**Update 3/9/24 – Please note: Change of Venue to –

Balch Elementary School, 1170 Washington Street, Norwood, Mass, USA

Frank’s Barbell Club, promoting the 2024 Gold Cup have shared the Entry Form, Hotels & full Information:

For the entry form & Hotel info – click here

2024-IAWA-Gold-Cup-Info

Here are Leg 1 Results of the Bob Smith All-Round Postal League. We welcome a number of new lifters this year, including 3 teams from Powerhouse Phoenix.

Congratulations to the top 3 teams for Leg 1 – MetamorFIT1, Bionic Branch Barbell Club – Club3B, Powerhouse Phoenix1.

The top 3 lifters for Leg 1 were – Beata Banas, Sam Bonar & Joshua Davidson.

Thank you to Christopher Bass for his work in compiling the league and confirming the records achieved.

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For his performances and dedication to All-Round Weightlifting, the I.A.W.A.(UK) Committee unanimously agreed that James Rutter should be the recipient of the Health & Strength Junior Award for 2023.

James is showing great promise as a teen lifter and has been involved in many events throughout the year, including most of the National Fixtures and the Old Time Strongman Postal.

Gary Ell, on behalf of the IAWA(UK) Committee presented James with his award at the 2024 British Grip & Olympic Championships in Preston on 27th January.

A few words about the event from Steve Gardner: One minutes silence was held for Frank Allen who recently passed away, Frank was a founder member of our organisation and will be sadly missed!

We lost a few lifters through illness but fourteen lifters managed to make it onto the platform to lift on the day and a super competition it was. Big thanks to Mark and Sam Haydock for hosting the event, as they have done for many years now. Thank you to the officials (some had travelled there just to help with the refereeing on the day). Thanks to all those who helped with the loading, helping us to keep the day going.

The Grip competition was held first, and then after a short lunch break we held the Olympic lifting event.

The lifting was really top class and many records were broken and 4th attempts taken. Emily Haydock was a pocket rocket, a very strong young lady for just ten. Mollie Redfern Smith continues to gain experience as she gets a bit older now (an ancient 16 lol!), we were lucky to have Claire Nolan lifting in her first IAWA competition, a lady with a lot of ability. James Rutter showed why he was voted the best Junior performer for 2023 as he continues to learn, and shows great strength. Gary Redfern Smith had some great moments showing good pressing power, and big Graham Saxton did well as usual taking a few records too. Paul Hallam lifted well and is always a great help in the loading department. Steve Moss enjoyed his lifting back on the platform after a while, showing good technique. Josh Davidson lifted exceptionally well as he always does pulling off some great lifts. Jamie Oates was dazzling in the Grip comp, very strong, and was game enough to have a go at the Olympics despite never having tried before (a real winners attitude).

Mark Haydock was his usual exceptional self, lots of power, lots of technique and lots of energy, supporting and helping everyone on the platform. Antony Parker continues to grow in stature, demonstrating good strength and lift application. Big Matt Jones was really explosive, and all over the lifts like a rash, putting on a great performance.

During the day Trainee Refs: Ray Dews, Matt Jones and Paul Hallam, all had plenty of refereeing practice and tuition as they continue their training on the path to becoming qualified officials.

All in All…. it was Another great day for IAWA(UK)!

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From IAWA(UK) Chairman – Steve Andrews

It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that Frank Allen passed away on Saturday 13th January aged 81.

He was one of the founders of IAWA uk and multiple title and World records holder. He had been my coach and lifting buddy since 1979.

You will be missed by all who knew you Frank

I will put out more information regarding funeral arrangements when I am given them, and it would be wonderful if we could have a great attendance from lifters past and present.

God bless you Frank.x

From IAWA(UK) President – Steve Gardner

Photos of a Legend ……Frank Allen in earlier days, he was a talented all round weight lifter and i had the pleasure of seeing him on the platform many times, performing some really great lifts! One of the original organisers of our organisation Frank also played many serving committee member roles.

In these photos Frank is seen performing a Zercher Lift, and then making the Hall of Fame Induction Award to the late great Mike Archer. Frank was himself inducted into the IAWA Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2014 he received the IAWA Award of Merit, the highest Award that can be presented in IAWA Internationally! Frank will be missed by all who knew him.

Click here to read the notes from the AGM meeting, held on 9th December in Barton-Under-Needwood.

There’s a revised copy of the Shanks Lift Loading Chart now available.

Click here to download.

There were a couple of errors in the original version so lease update any paper copies you may have.

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