The Colorado venue of the Team Championship was a rollercoaster of testing the lifts with ad hoc teams, rearranging the teams, warming up and finally beginning competition.
With the Clean & Press being the first lift, Kim and I quickly realized that our height difference would not allow anything more than a token lift. Diya decided to do double duty and joined up with both Nisha and Kim to allow everybody to compete. Jarrod, who had just recovered from an injury, was willing to lift with me.
As none of us had much experience with team lifts, the warmups were crucial as each team seemed to have a faster puller and a slower puller. All the teams eventually figured out a communication style and pace so they could stay in synch. Jarrod and I struggled to find good positions on the bar. Eventually we found spots where we could have pressing power and stay out of each other’s way. The deadlift was infinitely easier than the clean & press.
Once competition was underway, everything went smoothly. We opted for rising bar so all the teams were following themselves.
Clark’s Championship Gym had (3) teams also. The power couple of Allison & Tony Lupo was the only M/F team (I applied a 1.16 Gender modifier to their score). Tony pulled double duty partnering with Dave DeForest for the highest unadjusted total. Finally, the entry of Jeff Wenzel and Travis Luther joined the mix.
The most fun was freestyle and I need to add some commentary.
Team Vertical Bar, 2”, Right Hand – Executing this lift requires an extremely close relationship, think husband and wife or sisters. Facing each other did not work. Trial and error showed the lifter closest to the pin should grab higher and the lifter further away should grab lower. Plus, both hands need to fit in the top 6 inches. Once the technique was established, the team lift moved a lot of weight. First ever Team Vertical Bar.
Team Side Press, Right Hand – I thought this lift would be incredibly easy, but it was anything but. The team tried facing each other and facing in the same direction. Facing each other resulted in some rotation of the bar but facing the same direction through off timing. The best set up was facing the same direction and having the person who could see their teammate match their speed. The weight lifted does not sound like much, but two attempts at a heavier weight were both misses. First ever Team Side Press.
Team Pinch Grip, Strict, Right Hand – This seemed like a fun lift, but it was much harder than I expected. It made sense to face each other and pull on 45-pound plates. The challenge was pulling speed. If either teammate was pulling faster, the lift was over. In the end our team lift with one hand each was the same as either of our two hand lifts, which only makes sense as I am typing this out. First ever Team Pinch Grip Deadlift.
Team Dumbbell Clean & Jerk, Left Hand – First ever team dumbbell clean and jerk and only second ever team dumbbell lift. Considering how hard a press or push press can be, timing a jerk is extremely impressive.
Team Hip Lift – While there have been a few Team Hip Lifts performed, this lift really impressed me. The coordination of moving together with that much load is amazing and then holding it for the down command and trusting your partner to do the same.
A final note on team lifts. A missed lift can be disastrous and needs to be thought out in advance. If your partner cannot hang out to a clean or pauses during the press, or the barbell is starting to slip, I encourage having a plan for dumping the weight rather than it swinging under the control of only one lifter.
Women’s Junior Division Winners – Diya Gupta and Nisha Gupta
Women’s Open Division Winners – Kim Van Wagner and Diya Gupta
Mixed Master Division Winners – Allison Lupo and Tony Lupo
Men’s Open Division Winners – Jeff Wenzel and Travis Luther
Men’s Master Division Winners – Dave DeForest and Tony Lupo
Men’s Master Division Runners Up – Sanjiv Gupta and Jarrod Fobes
Freestyle Winner – Sanjiv Gupta and Jarrod Fobes
RECORD SESSION
Sanjiv Gupta – Age 54, Bwt – 204 pounds (95 KG Class)
Clean & Press, Middle Fingers – 75 pounds
Scott Lift – 115 pounds
Pinch Grip Deadlift, Strict – 106 pounds
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