Steve Andrews receiving the Bert Spencer trophy presented by Paul Barette
Steve was presented with his award by IAWA(UK) Vice President, Paul Barette at the recent Midlands Open and British Olympic Championship held on March 4th. There was not a photo opportunity last year so Steve’s presentation covers 2022 & 2023!
The award is presented to the best lifter (calculated on points) of the Spencer Set which comprises of:
2 Hand Dumbbell Press
2 Hand Dumbbell Clean & Jerk
2 Hand Dumbbell Swing
The Spencer set is usually contested annually as part of the Bob Smith All-Round Postal League
Lara Bennett presented with the Health & Strength Junior Award for 2022
I had great pleasure in awarding the Health & Strength sponsored Junior Award to Lara Bennett for her performances and involvement in All-Round Weightlifting for 2022 at our recent MetamorFIT awards evening.
The I.A.W.A.(UK) Committee award this trophy based on the criteria of performance and involvement in events and the recipient is chosen at the AGM.
Lara has participated in a number of local and National Events here at MetamorFIT and has supported the Bob Smith All-Round Postal League for the last few years.
There were a number of juniors lifting at events in 2022 with a close contender also for this award, Phoebe Ames, a junior lifter that after lifting in the Welsh Disability Champs last year went on to break records in mainstream IAWA lifts and attended the Gold Cup in Belfast lifting with mum Hannah.
Congratulations Lara Bennett and well done Phoebe!
Lara Bennett – Lunge Squat
Lara Bennett – BBC Local News Story
Phoebe Ames – Best Junior Lifter at the Welsh Disability Champs 2022
Phoebe Ames, with mum Hannah – Lifting at the Gold Cup, Belfast 2022
There were 9 lifters attacking the Iron, 8 entered the British Grip Championships and 7 took part in the Record Breaking Session:
Mark wrote: …Wow!! What a day that turned out to be….We had 9 lifters for the day, 8 lifted in the full Grip Event and Pete Tryner made his Trap Bar Record attempt after the weigh in and before the main event started.
Pete pulled a huge 360kg on the trapbar, which is an all time high lift!
We had some new faces on the day in Tom Cunningham, a really good all rounder, and the resurgence of some IAWA regulars in Matt Jones and Dean Kent. Over the whole day every lifter managed to set at least one record for themselves. The total number of records set for the grip event was 28, with a further 32 records falling on the records event later on.
Lifts of note were:
Pete Tryner 360kg trap bar ( All time highest)
Matt Wells 80kg 2” clean and jerk, the only lifter to go over bodyweight on the day and equalling John Monks WR, narrowly missing 82.5kg to finish.
Anthony Parker 2 barbells deadlift 220kg
Mark Haydock 2 barbells deadlift 290kg ( All time highest)
Tom Cunningham 85kg 1hand deadlift 2” bar
Overall Best Lifters:Open 1st Mark Haydock, 2ndTom Cunningham, 3rd Dean Kent
Masters: 1st Mark Haydock, 2nd Gary Ell, 3rd Matt Wells
Overall: 1st Mark Haydock, 2nd Tom Cunningham, 3rd Dean Kent
So there we have it, there sure was some great lifting going on in the Lancashire Lions Den
Mark Haydock – 2″ Bar DeadliftPete Tryner – Trap Bar DeadliftMark Haydock – 2 Barbells Deadlift
