KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- More than 50 competitors gathered in Kirksville Saturday for the United States All-Round Weightlifting Association (USAWA) Nationals. The meet was hosted by Thom Van Vleck and the Jackson Weightlifting Club. Van Vleck stated that the meet was a huge success and credited the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce for its help in landing this meet in Kirksville. Competitors arrived in Kirksville from as far away as Hawaii.
USAWA Secretary Al Myers of Kansas served as the meet announcer and stated that this was one of the best meets in the 23 year history of the organization. USAWA President Denny Habecker of Pennsylvania served as the head judge and stated he was very pleased with the turn out.
The USAWA is a drug tested weightlifting organization that uses handicaps for weight and age adjustments so that one overall champion can be crowned. This year, the men's champion was Larry Traub of Indiana. Larry is a nine-time National Masters Powerlifting Champ and a former World Powerlifting Champ who is in his first year lifting in the USAWA. The women's champion was Amber Glasgow of Blue Springs, Mo. The best local finisher was John O'Brien, a chemistry professor at Truman State University who was 7th overall.
The USAWA contests hundreds of different lifts, many of which have historical significance and were used by old-time strongmen. A full meet report and more information on the organization can be found at www.usawa.com.
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