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Meeting Jack Shanks

Clean & Push Press

Pullover & Press

Straddle Deadlift

One Arm Clean & Jerk

Clean & Push Press

2" Vertical Bar

Zercher

Fun in the Stones "Garden"

Very Impressive Team Lift (Dolores and June)

I had the opportunity to travel to Belfast for the 2025 IAWA World Championship.  It was well attended:

1. Ruby Meakin - NI - Junior
2. Leo Moss - ENG - Junior
3. Emily Haydock - ENG - Junior
4. George Dutton - ENG - Junior
5. Beata Banas - ENG (attended last year)
6. Paul Barette - ENG (attended last year)
7. Chloe Brennan - ENG (attended last year)
8. Steve Sherwood - ENG (attended last year)
9. Brandon Hazell-Hyland - ENG (attended last year)
10. Denny Habecker - USA (attended last year)
11. Natalie Voce - ENG (attended last year)
12. David Angove - ENG (attended last year)
13. Dolores McGuckin - NI - Incredibly strong powerlifter
14. Sam Bonar - ENG (attended last year)
15. Stanley Hamilton - NI - Grip sport athlete
16. Joshua Davidson - ENG (attended last year)
17. Sanjiv Gupta - USA (attended last year) 17th/22
18. Steve Moss - ENG - Nice guy, did not talk to much
19. Amy Robertson - ENG - Fun lifter, new to all-round
20. Paul Hallam - ENG (attended last year)
21. Mark Haydock - ENG (attended last year)
22. Matt Jones - ENG (attended last year)

14 of 22 were return lifters, 8 were new.  31 had originally signed up, but could not attend for various reasons.

Resurgence Training Center was a first class facility and an excellent host.  I actually bought a sweatshirt just to throw them some business.  They support everyone from Strongman, Powerlifters, Olympic Lifters and Bodybuilders.

Day 1 - weighed in at 94 kg - milled about chatting with other athletes, lunch at food truck (Chicken and Pork Gyro)

One Hand C&J (Right) - 3 for 3 (30, 32.5, 35kg) - PR, beat my existing record by 2 pounds, National Record

Clean & Push Press - 3 for 3 (50, 55, 62.5kg)

Pullover & Press - 3 for 3 (50, 60, 70kg) - PR, crushed my existing record of 115 pounds, National Record

Straddle DL - 3 for 3 (135, 150, 155kg) - PR

Day 2 - did not weigh in, snacks (Clif Bars and Larabar)

Continental Snatch - 2 for 3 (45, 47.5, 55kg), called for press out

Vertical Bar 2 Inch (Left) - 2 for 3 (60, 70, 80kg) - PR!, National Record, but not done with USAWA specific 18 inch length, did not hold until down command

Zercher - 3 for 3 (90, 100, 110kg)

On both days I officiated during session 1 (women), chatted and warmed up during session 2 (lower bodyweight men) and lifted in session 3 (higher bodyweight men).  I forgot my officials shirt, but was otherwise well prepared.  I was comfortable and warmed up well.  I was warming up too early and would have benefited by starting to warm up during the 15 minutes between sessions.  Competition moved fast with 2 platforms and a generous warm up area.  We started at 10 AM both days and were finished by 4:30 PM day 1 and 3 PM day 2.  This included not only competition lifts, but also 4th attempts for records and record sessions both days.

Stevie Shanks and his family were great hosts.  Simon Truesdale and Michael Wilson did a great job loading.

Net Costs

• $200 - Flights (plus points)
• $500 - Ground transportation (rental car, gas, taxi)
• $700 - Lodging (Moxy, Lurgan, Metro)
• $300 - Dining (including banquet)
• $50 - Meet Entry
• $1,100 - Site-Seeing / Misc

Reviewing my travel costs the past three years:

2023 Nationals, Columbia - $560 (drove)

2024 Nationals, Columbia - $1000 (flight, rental car)

2024 Worlds, Eastbourne - $1250

2025 Nationals, Albany - $1800 (Sanjiv, Diya, Nisha)

2025 Worlds, Belfast - $2,850 (Sanjiv, Ratna)