I.A.W.A.(UK)

Our Drug Control Officer, Gary Ell, is pleased to report that Drug Testing carried by his assistants at the recent IAWA World Championships (Lurgan, Northern Ireland) has returned a Negative result.

Thank you to Gary Ell and his assistants Sam Bonar & Joshua Davidson for the important work they do!

Al Myers awarded 2025

Al Myers from Kansas State, USA has been a very successful member of the IAWA for many years, a fierce competitor and World Champion, and winner of just about every Award possible, including the Howard Prechtel Award. Many would agree one of Al’s finest contributions was his 12 years term of office as the IAWA International President.

During this time Al was an outstanding leader and Ambassador for our sport, attending almost all International events around the IAWA World. Al had a great way of dealing with all matters in a direct, fair and pleasant way, introducing some of our major events along his journey too. Following in the footsteps of Howard Prechtel and Steve Gardner. Al was our third President in Office before handing over in 2024 to Paul Barette.

It was a wonderful moment at the Awards Presentation Dinner following the 2025 Gold Cup in England when Al was surprised by his Award.

Dennis Mitchell awarded posthumously 2025

Dennis Mitchel from Ohio, USA was the IAWA International Technical Secretary for more than 25 years and carried out his duties for the organisation in an efficient and friendly manner.

Dennis was active until very recent years when his health was failing him, but he was still travelling and competing into his 90s. Denny and Flossy were always a regular sight at IAWA International events around the World, winning many World Masters titles.

Always an amazing and supportive competitor, it was decided he was an ideal candidate to receive IAWAs highest honour. Sadly before the award could be presented Dennis passed away.

The Presidential Award of Merit with a wonderful covering letter of congratulations was sent to Dennis’s widow Flossy, that she and the family can know how well thought of Dennis Mitchell was by the IAWA family.

Congratulations to Michael Perry of Bionic Branch Barbell Club – Club3B, Essex.

Michael was signed off as a full referee at the Gold Cup on Saturday. I had the pleasure of presenting his certificate having now completed his 12 month probationary period.

Presentations also took place at the Gold Cup Banquet to those officials who had proved ongoing competency and renewed for another 2 years. They were presented to:

Steve Andrews
Mark Haydock
Gary Ell
Graham Robert Saxton

Not in attendance: Natalie Voce & Steve Sherwood

We collectively thank our officials for all they do to uphold the standards of IAWA and supporting our lifters!

Click here for the full results

2025-Gold-Cup-1st-Nov-Derby

At the recent World Council Meeting (4th October 2025) The Two Person Turkish Get Up (E39) was approved and the IAWA Rule Book has been updated to include the new lift.

Click here for the latest version

E 39 TWO PERSON TUKISH GET UP

The Rules of the Turkish get up will apply, except that two lifters will be lifting the weight together, the weights will be loaded onto a regular lifting bar, as a dumbbell or a kettle bell cannot be used in this version of the lift for obvious reasons. Causes for Failure remain the same.

Causes for Failure:
1 Starting to lift before the referees signal.
2 Failure to maintain the arm straight and locked throughout the lift. 3 Any contact of the equipment with the lifting surface during the lift.
4 Failure to achieve the finished position, the implement locked out at arms-length, overhead. 5 Lowering /replacing the bar before the referees signal.

Full results available here

2025-World-Champs-4th-5th-October-Lurgan-NI

2025-West-Country-Open-British-Disability-7th-Sept-Tiverton

2025-World-postal-31st-August

Click here to download the full results