|
|
I.A.W.A. (UK) Hall of Fame 2005 The Third IAWA(UK) Bi-Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Ceremony - Sunday 4th December 2005 At the Coors Visitor Centre, Burton on Trent. 70 People assembled for the third Hall of Fame induction evening, and sat down at 5.30pm to watch the wonderful sporting entertainment witnessing IAWA World Record attempts by members of the Powerhouse Gym and others, an ‘Eskimo Tug of War’ competition challenge, performed by the Holland Tug of War Club from Barton in Staffordshire, and a Strongman competition involving Barrel Pressing and a heavy hammer holdout. The entertainment was well received, and finished with an open challenge on the vertical bar lift, for a £10 prize. After the entertainment dinner was served and at 8.30pm the special presentation of the induction awards took place. Four of IAWA(UK)s all round weightlifting greats were honoured, and the presentation to the memory of the late Bob Smith was made by Peter Ready, and the award was received by Mike Archer who will take it back to the family, with best wishes from the organisation. The presentation to Barry Anderson was made by Steve Gardner, to Steve Andrews by Frank Allen, and to Rick Meldon by Mike Archer. It was a truly wonderful evening with a positively charged atmosphere, at 9.15pm the evening was concluded. A potted history of the four inductees : Bob Smith Bob was a true all rounder, enjoying success over a long career as a bodybuilder, strand puller and ‘ all round weightlifter’. Born in 1921 Bob suffered an unfortunate childhood encountering illness and injury so that by the age of 17 he was an 8 stone weakling. Bob followed a muscle building course, and then joined a weightlifting gym, he made such progress that he was soon competing alongside the best. Despite Bobs achievements, his main contribution to modern day sport and IAWA(UK) in particular, was his wonderful ability to work as a records keeper and statistician. Bob was a hard working founder member of IAWA (UK) and will be sadly missed. Barry Anderson As a young man Barry missed out on a pro Rugby League career through an eye injury, but in 1955 he bought his first weights set from Reg Park, and then never looked back, starting his competitive lifting career at the Yorkshire Championships. Barry also excelled in the sport of ‘Strand Pulling’ becoming World Champion between 1976 and 78, breaking over 2000 records. All round weightlifting has been Barry’s love for many years now, and he fondly remembers first becoming involved with IAWA and discovering the wonderful atmosphere that he says he had not really experienced in other organisations. Known as a very dedicated champion athlete with high standards, Barry has featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. Steve Andrews In 1979 Steve joined a night school for weightlifting in order to lose weight, late in 1980 Les Ball introduced him to the BAWLA All Round Scheme. Steve, who was in his 20’s and had never been involved in sports, was surprised how much he loved the new challenge. At the Leicester club Frank Allen has always been an inspiration to Steve, who also improved his ability by watching excellent technicians like Steve Sherwood. The rest is history, this multi-title winning British Champion especially enjoys Single Arm lifting and is proud of winning the ‘best Single Arm’ title for 9 of the last 10 years. Steve also relishes the challenge of the dumbells anyhow and is proud of all his records. Steve hopes to lift for as many years as his body will allow! Rick Meldon Rick played schools rugby and soccer at County level, and at 16 he began weight lifting. At the Sunbury club Rick looked for advice to the senior lifters and at that time Mike Archer was at the top of his game. Bob Smith was also a great help to Rick as he became an established all round weight lifter. Rick had some epic battles with Adrian Blindt in the late 80’s which helped him produce some of his best lifting. Ricks favourite lift is the dumbell swing and he has done 164 lbs at 150 lbs bodyweight. Rick has won 16 British all round titles and 5 Worlds, 6 British Powerlifting titles and 1 Worlds, and has been best lifter many times. Hoping to attempt Ron Walkers dumbells anyhow record soon Rick intends to lift until he is 90! |