Karen Gardner – Funeral Arrangements

Here are the details and arrangements for Karen’s funeral which Steve has asked me to share…

The Funeral Service for our dear Karen will be at 12pm on Tuesday 22nd August 2023

At: St. James Church -Church Lane, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffs. DE13 8HU

Phone: 01283 712359.

Afterwards, at the Waterfront (Upstairs in the Crow’s Nest) – Barton Marina, Barton Turn,

Barton-under-Needwood, Staffs. DE13 8AS Phone: 01283 711500

Dress: Traditional Black, BUT as Karen’s favourite colour was Red, the family invite

those attending to wear something red as a special tribute, if they wish.

Family Flowers only, and any donations received will go to Cancer Research

Karen Gardner 14/11/58 – 27/07/23

At 14.07 on Thursday 27th July, an angel on earth joined the angels in heaven.

Karen fought an immensely challenging battle against an aggressive brain tumour with strength and unwavering courage with Steve and their wonderful family and friends by her side every step of the way. She received the best possible medical care and months of treatments and therapies but sadly lost her battle peacefully whilst being cared for at the Barton Cottage Hospital.

Steve expresses his unending love for his life partner of 50 years, inseparable to the end. Our Prayers and thoughts go out to Steve, their sons Jon and James, grandchildren Dom, Grace and Sonnie and their extended family and all those that knew her.

There is another family that Karen’s love and affection touched the lives of so many and that is our IAWA Family.

Karen started lifting 30 years ago with IAWA and was soon to be known as ‘Mum’ by so many in the organisation. Jon and James would shout ‘come on Mum’ as encouragement as she lifted.

Always there to support and inspire others and dedicated herself to working as an official, helping at the desk and capturing the days events on camera side by side with Steve.

Karen and her family travelled to support so many national and international events over the years and this is why our global IAWA organisations retain such wholesome values and inclusivity.

Winning so many titles over the years and the being the first woman to pull 100 kilos in the One Hand Deadlift, she can certainly be declared a champion not only in lifting but in every facet of life.

Rest In Peace Karen

Paul Barette on Behalf of the IAWA(UK) Committee

The IAWA Andy Goddard World Postal Championship 2023

From Promoter – Al Myers (USA):

“The IAWA World Postal Championships has been announced.

It will still be the “Andy Goddard Memorial”. Andy was a great friend and supporter of the IAWA and as long as I’m involved promoting the World Postal Championships it will be done in Andy’s memory.

As it has been the past few years, the lifts for this World Postal will be the first day lifts of the upcoming Worlds.

Read the the info sheet as it outlines the “rules of the competition”.

Send your results to me at amyers@usawa.com. Also, please send in the official entry form with your club results.

If you have more club entries than on the entry form just include extra entry forms.”

Click here for the information sheet

Click here for the entry form

Entries must be with Al by 31st August 2023

New International Event Announced – The 2023 World Old Time Strongman Postal Championships – 9th December

Please note – Entries to this event are now closed

Promoter – Clint Poore (USA) – UK Promoter & Host – Steve Gardner

The Lifts:

Hackenschmidt Floor Press: A press (with standard Olympic bar) will be performed while lying flat on the floor/platform. The bar height, measured to the bottom of the bar, should be no greater than 15”. The bar/plates may rest on blocks or supports to achieve this height. The lift starts when the lifter, while lying under the bar with the bar above the chest, starts to press. A time limit of 1 minute is given for each attempt, meaning the lifter may reset as many times as necessary within this time limit to complete a legal lift. The lift is complete when the bar is pressed completely with the lifter’s elbows locked out. It is not an infraction to press unevenly, lock out at different times, raise the head, or allow the bar to lower during a part of the press. It is an infraction if the hips/legs rise off the floor/platform during any part of the lift. Once complete, an official will give a command to end the lift.

Dumbbell to Shoulder: A dumbbell will be taken from the floor to the shoulder using any method the lifter wants to employ. The dumbbell may be lifted with two hands, continental style, or may be rested on the belt during the lift by any part of the dumbbell. Hands may grip the plates, bar, collars, or any part of the dumbbell. Any size plate may be loaded onto the dumbbell. The lift is completed when the lifter is standing upright, with the dumbbell resting on the shoulder, and the lifter demonstrating control. Both hands may remain on the dumbbell to complete the lift, or with one hand or both hands off the dumbbell. A time limit of 1 minute is given to complete the lift. An official will give a command to end the lift.

The Shanks Lift:

The Shanks lift must be attempted on loading pins with rings attached. The pins must be made to the correct dimensions and loaded as follows:

The large pin must be a maximum of 20.5 inches from the bottom of the pin to the top of the ring (with a tolerance of 1”) and may be loaded to any weight that the lifter desires. The ring should be made of metal and approximately ¾ inches in diameter. The internal diameter of the ring should be a maximum of approximately 5.5 inches.

The smaller pin must be a maximum of 18 inches from the bottom of the pin to the top of the ring (with a tolerance of 1 inch) and must always be loaded to 75% of the weight on the large pin. The ring should be made of metal and approximately ¾ inches in diameter. The internal diameter of the ring should be a maximum of approximately 5.5 inches.

The lifter may adopt any stance; and place the loaded pins in any position, then taking one ring in each hand will lift the weights simultaneously to a shoulders upright and legs fully locked out position. Once this position is achieved the head referee will give the down signal. The lift may pause on the way up, but there must not be any downward movement of the weights during the lift.                                                                                                                                                       

As per IAWA rules: the only lifting aids allowed are a belt and wrist wraps, and only chalk may be applied to the hands.

Causes for failure:

1         Any downward movement of the weights during ascent.

2         Not achieving a fully upright and legs locked out position.

3         Setting the weights back to the lifting surface before receiving the down signal.

Drug testing news…..

Drug testing results from the recent British All-Round Championship on 20th May, held in Billericay, Essex.

Returned negative results.

Thank you to Gary Ell in his role of Drug Control Officer for conducting the tests and liaising with the laboratory.

Southern Shield – 11th June 2023 – MetamorFIT, Eastbourne

The Lifters & Officials of the 2023 Southern Shield

Click here for the full results

Refereeing News – Newly Qualified Referees

The IAWA(UK) Technical Committee are pleased to announce that 3 new referees have passed their probation period and are now fully signed off.

Glenn Branch, Suzie Richards and Stephen Brooker – all based at Bionic Branch Barbell Club, Essex.

Stephen, Suzie & Glenn

They will now embark on refereeing within the organisation and maintain continued competence under the supervision of the Technical Committee.

Referees are now being certificated for 2 years as per the new IAWA Referee Policy.

Example of the new IAWA Referee Certificate
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