High Country Vigour

Women's Podium Lifters and Officials The 2026 National Championship was a whirlwind trip.  Nisha and I flew out Friday morning, arriving in St. Louis around 11 AM and driving to Columbia, MO by 1:00 PM.  We relaxed in the room and then headed over to the annual meeting. As usual in Columbia, MO, dinner consisted of barbecue at D-Rowe's which has good service and good food.  It is a bit expensive at $30/person, but that is OK.   Attendees: Chad Ullom Jessica Hopps David Glasgow Larry Traub Neveah Traub Jayden Traub Kristin Traub Jarrod Fobes Nisha Gupta Sanjiv Gupta Logan Wenzel Jeff Wenzel Dylan Wenzel Allison Lupo Tony Lupo David DeForest Lisa Gore David Beversdorf Tony Hose Bill Clark (10) Clark's, (5) Ledaig, (3) HCV, (1) Dino, (1) Frank's Officer reports were read and/or waived. Old Business - Board decisions to be able to remove athletes due to disruptive behavior and waive official scoring were overturned. By-Law Changes - Laundry list were debated to a 9-...

This was the inaugural installation of the Carnival in the Cul-De-Sac hosted by Joshua Guerin in Greeley, Colorado. The drive up was pleasant enough and enjoyed the hour drive up listening to The Grip Show recap of US Nationals and Canada Nationals. Arriving at the venue, Josh had set everything up and was a very accommodating host.  I emptied my bladder and just squeaked into the 95 kg weight class after taking off my shoes and my t-shirt.  I was pleased with my svelte 208.5 bodyweight and began to get in some food and hydrate.  We took a group picture before hand.  Joshua even had stick on old time mustaches for us to try.  With rainbow and black choices, I opted for rainbow in honor of pride month. After rules briefing we started with the Steinborn Squat.  I went 3 for 3 with good lifts at 89, 109 and 131 pounds.  With some practice, I would like to get this up to 150 pounds, but will not be breaking Al Springs 200 pound record anytime soon.  T...

We had a great time with the Heavy Lift Championship.  It was slow going and a lot of time was spent with warm-up lifts so that everybody could figure out chain length, technique and how to position a neck harness and hip belt. Nisha always opened and was under the pressure of performing (3) lifts in a row with three middle aged men watching, but she did great.  Her neck lift was the trickiest, during warm-ups she missed 50, made 30 and made 40.  She decided to open at 40 pounds, then made 50 pounds and 70 pounds saying it felt easy.  I am not sure if 4th attempts were allowed, but she did put up 90 pounds on a 4th attempt. Jarrod did 100 pounds and did not care for the lift.  He accepted the token effort and was done.  Joshua tested 100 pounds and then opened at 150 pounds also being done.  I was a glutton for punishment and after warm-ups at 100 and 150, I opened at 170 and had a tough lift at 190 pounds for my second attempt. Hand and Thigh was much...

Clark's Gym was hosting two meets this weekend and I decided to enter and submit some record session lifts. Sanjiv Gupta 54 years old Weight 209.6 kg (100kg Class) Lifts performed 4/25/2026 Officials - Jarrod Fobes and Kim Van Wagner Diamond Jubilee Deadlift, No Thumbs - 325 pounds Deadlift, No Thumbs, Overhand Grip - 315 pounds Jefferson Lift, Fulton Bar - 305 pounds Side Press, Bar, Left - 45 pounds Side Press, Bar, Right - 45 pounds Diaper Day Squat, Lunge - 95 pounds Reflex Bench Press - 180 pounds Jarrod Fobes 206.2 pounds 49 years old Turkish Get Up - Repetition - 50 pounds x 10 reps (in about 2:20) Half Gardner - Repetition - 45 pounds x 12 reps (in about 3:30) Finger Lift, Little, Left - 41 pounds x 25 reps (in about 2:00) Finger Lift, Little, Right - 41 pounds x 36 reps (in about 2:30) Lateral Raise, Lying - 40 pounds x 26 reps (in about 2:00) Kim 129.5 pounds 59 year old Clean & Jerk, Behind Neck - 70 pounds Clean & Press, 12" Base - 65 pounds

Jarrod and I took on the Bench Press Heptathlon.  I had a lot of fun, despite him beating me on nearly every lift. Competition Lifts Bench Press - Feet on Floor - 175 Bench Press - Feet in Air - 175 Bench Press - Reverse Grip - 115 - personal best and set the 50 yo 100kg record Bench Press - Alternate Grip - 125 - personal best Bench Press - Hands Together - 145 - set the 50 yo 100kg record Bench Press - Right Arm - 55 - set the 50 yo 100kg record Bench Press - Left Arm - 55 - set the 50 yo 100kg record Certificates Bench Press - Rampage - 19 reps x 95 pounds Bench Press - Reg Park - 110 pounds - first time trying the lift Bench Press - Roman Chair - 75 pounds - beat the 50 yo 100kg record held by Patrick Hadley Records Vertical Bar, 1 Bar, 1" Left - 141 pounds Vertical Bar, 1 Bar, 1" Right - 141 pounds Vertical Bar, 2 Bars - 262 pounds I was pretty conservative in my attempts, but it worked out well.  I missed attempts at 65 pounds for the one arm presses, but otherwise was ...

This year’s Grip Championship was an all-Colorado event.  Nisha and Kim lifted in flight 1 and Sanjiv, Jarrod and Joshua lifted in flight 2.  Weigh-ins and rules briefings were conducted and the meet was contested using the one official system. We started with Pinch Grip, Deadlift, One Hand.  This is the first time the lift was contested at the Grip Championship and mistakes were made.  Flight 1 set the plates up vertical to the platform and had top lifts under 30 pounds.  Essentially, they did a Pinch Grip Strict, One Hand.  Jarrod correctly pointed out the error and Flight 2 set up the plates horizontal to the platform.  Flight 2 all had good lifts at 100 pounds or more.  Kim and Nisha declined the option to repeat their lifts. For record purposes, they should be recorded as Pinch Grip Strict, One Hand. Next was the Deadlift, Fulton Dumbbell, One Hand.  This was the fifth time this lift has been contested at the Grip Championship, and some ...

Saturday we threw in for the birthday bash being hosted by Clark's Gym.  Jarrod was planning on hosting, but unfortunately had to cancel.  Kim, Josh and I cranked through the lifts pretty quickly. Jefferson Lift - This was not too bad and I had a personal best of 355 pounds.  It is nice to come out of the gate strong.  50 year old 95kg record is 424 pounds. (Kim - 175, Josh - 390) Clean & Jerk, Dumbbell, One Hand, Left - This was tougher.  I felt good warming up and decided to open at 82 pounds.  My next attempt was a miss at 92 pounds.  I prefer using my right hand, but the right hand record is 105 pounds while the left hand record was open. (Kim - 45, Josh - 105) Vertical Bar, 1 Bar, 1" Right - Another scenario where I wanted to post an open record rather than try to beat the existing record.  I opened at 106, made 131 and missed 156.  My left hand record is 170. (Kim - 86, Josh - 186) Anderson Press - I really do not like my set up for...