High Country Vigour

Rules Test Passed - 7/6/2023 The rules test is a 100 question open book test that really makes sure the applicant is familiar with the lifts, commands, common faults as well as competition procedure and uniform standards. Level 1 Certification - 2/17/2024 This practical training requires (3) training sessions alongside a Level 2 official.  In 2023 video training became acceptable for up to (2) training sessions.  I completed (2) video training sessions in 2023 and finally completed my Level 1 at the Dino Gym Grip Championship. Level 2 Certification - 4/7/2025 This lifetime certification requires (25) officiating sessions.  The intent is to gain confidence as an official and to have more hands on experience with the lifts and commands.  In 2024, USAWA would allow officiating in USA Weightlifting or USA Powerlifting to count for up to (15) of those sessions. I completed the (25) session in just over a year.  These included the 2024 Colorado Spring Fling, 2024 USAW...

High Country Vigour Clark's Championship Gym 2025 marks the return of the Club Championship which had not been contested since 2019.  This is a great format where clubs total their top three lifters to form an adjusted total and bragging rights as the strongest club of the year. From 2010-2012 it had been hosted at Ambridge Barbell Club.  From 2013-2019 it had been contested at Ledaig Heavy Athletics.  Beyond the host clubs only four other clubs had competed in the Club Championship (Atomic Athletics, Dino Gym, Habecker’s Gym and Joe’s Gym). In 2025, we tried something different allowing lifter to lift live at High Country Vigour or submit results remotely.  There was only one taker with Clark’s Championship Gym submitting an entry. Also new since the last time the event was hosted, was the 1.33 gender modifier.  Women had competed in the past but were at a disadvantage when contributing to the team total. Clark’s Championship Gym brought a full squad of (11) at...

The Colorado Single Arm Challenge was a rousing success and a fun way to ring in the month of March.  Jarrod, Sanjiv, Kim, Diya and Nisha competed at the host site in Lakewood and we had (11) remote lifters submit results as well. Although I have participated in several other meets remotely, this was only the second sanctioned event hosted from High Country Vigour.  It is always a little stressful managing the pace of competition, my own lifting, making sure the lifts are accurately recorded, spotting, loading and officiating.  Fortunately our little club in Colorado supports each other by providing equipment, encouragement and all around good attitudes. Some of also squeezed in the Q1 Postal Lifts and some records.  It made for a challenging 3 hour local competition. The record session was exciting as well.  In Lakewood, Jarrod gave the Inch Dumbbells a ride.  In Missouri, Riley had an amazing Pinch Grip Deadlift at 355 pounds which I would have loved to s...

Q1 Postal Continental Snatch - 95kg = 176; 100kg = OPEN Press From Rack - Behind Neck - 95kg = 110 (me); 100kg = OPEN Trap Bar Deadlift - 95kg = OPEN, 100kg = 635 Q2 Postal Rectangular Fix - 95kg = 70 (me); 100kg = OPEN Clean & Seated Press - 2 Dumbbells - 95kg = 100 (me); 100kg = OPEN Hack Lift - One Hand [LEFT] 95kg = 248; 100kg = OPEN [RIGHT] 95kg = 248; 100kg = 330 Q3 Postal Crucifix - 95kg = 77; 100kg = 60 Cheat Curl - Dumbbell - One Hand - [LEFT] 95kg = OPEN; 100kg = OPEN [RIGHT] 95kg = OPEN; 100kg = OPEN Deadlift - One Hand [LEFT] 95kg = 320; 100kg = 253 [RIGHT] 95kg = 309; 100kg = 364 Q4 Postal Dumbbell Swing - One Hand [LEFT] 95kg = 40; 100kg = 45 [RIGHT] 95kg = 40; 100kg = 55 Bench Press - Fulton Bar - 95kg = 225; 100kg = 225 Vertical Bar Deadlift - One Bar - 2" [LEFT] 95kg = 130(me); 100kg = 200 [RIGHT] 95kg = 160; 100kg = OPEN

https://www.oldtimestrongman.com/blog/2018/10/11/kodi-rammurthy-naidu-indian-hercules/

While I certainly have my share of prejudices, having grown up in the United States through Iran hostage crisis, I am pretty impressed by Khalil Obhab.  I learned about him through a Facebook post announcing the death of Steve Cotter with an image of a poster. Being a fan of teeth lifting and performing strongmen, I had to dig a bit deeper.  According to the Wikipedia article, he was born March 23, 1924 and died April 20, 2023.  In addition to being a performing strongman, he also acted in seven films between 1964 and 1971.  The Poster is from Gerry Cottle's British Circus which came to North America in 1976.  He performed in 37 different countries, having emigrated to Ireland in 1971, living in Italy and going home to Iran in 1991. The linked video shows some of his feats of strength which included lifting an elephant (with essentially a hand and thigh bar from a raised platform), bending, being run over by a truck, pulling vehicles, leg pressing a plank with 8...

For an introductory event, keep it simple, but exciting. Venue - This could be your garage, a CrossFit gym or a VFW Hall depending on the turnout expected. Pick some lifts - With 200+ lifts, you could get crazy, but I would recommend lifts from the floor that require minimum set up.  Cleans, snatches, and deadlifts are the easiest to set up and judge.  The press out rule is not nearly as strict as it is in Olympic Weightlifting.  Variations of Olympic Lifts, SBD, Strongman and Dumbbell variations may be more comfortable for athletes coming from other strength sports.  I would avoid contesting the Lano Lift or the Harness Lift for a first event in your area. Find an official - USAWA has (19) level 2 officials and (15) level 1 officials mostly concentrated in Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Boston, and Pennsylvania. Sanction the Event - Fill out the meet sanction form and submit payment to the treasurer. Drum up athletes and get them registered with USAWA. Have Fun! -- M...