2012 British Masters Weightlifting Championship
Mytholmroyd Community Centre
17th - 18th March 2012
Session 1 (Men M75)
Eight men competed in the 1st session of the championship all eight in the M75 age category, that's 75-79 years of age, the most lifters ever in this age category at a National championship. All 8 lifters really went for their lifts and showed they are still weightlifters, always wanting to put more weight on the bar. Some good lifting with all eight making a total and winnning medals.
Sessions 2 & 3 (Women)
Ten women competed in the two sessions and the overall standard was very high with all the women showing good technique and both sessions were great to watch with very few failures. Some of the women scored very high SMM points, this is the formula based on age and body weight coefficients and ultimately used to rank the best overall lifter in the competition. This honour went to Jo McManus who made 197 SMM points which is considered a very high ranking, 200 points takes a lifter into the "elite" range of Masters weightlifting.
Three lifters broke existing British Masters records, Jo McManus broke her own total record, Bev Pattison shattered all previous records with each snatch and jerk, and with each jerk a new total record, and Gwendolyn Leick also beating her previous jerk record. Personally I really enjoyed watching these 2 sessions, there were no delays, and lifters were on the platform as soon as their names were called. Good weights being lifted and good technique to get the weights overhead, and they all quite clearly enjoyed what they were doing. Well done ladies !!!
Sessions 4 - 10 (Men)
Session 4 saw 6 lifters all in M70 age group, 70-74 years of age, and again all lifters striving for their best and very few failed lifts, 2 lifters making all 6 attempts and another 2 making 5 from 6 attempts.
Session 5 had 4 lifters in M65 (65-69) and 4 lifters in M60 (60-64). Also in this group one lifter from M50 77 kg and one from M40 62 kg - both these lifters in the competition unopposed and offering their services to help run the championship over the 2 days. An opportunity to acquire their availability at the earliest opportunity.
A good battle in the M65 77 kg between Dave Dargue and Michael Butterworth with Michael the worthy winner. Pat Atteridge had not done any snatches since the World Masters in November 2011 but looked comfortable with all his lifts making all 6 attempts.
Once again it was wonderful to have the bubbling Irishman Laurence McConnell at the British Masters and once again he didn't fail to entertain the audience. Laurence struggled (by his own standards) in 2011 due to injury but no signs of those injuries as Laurence powered to new British records on the snatch, jerk, and total, and his final jerk of 130 exceeded the World Masters record by 5 kg.
Session 6 had 7 lifters all in M55 (55-59) and once again some good lifting with Mark Welch managing to increase his own jerk record by 3 kg with a very gritty jerk of 118 kg and the total record by 7 kg. Graham Skinner told me it was the first time he has made 3 jerks in a British Masters and his 125 3rd attempt was excellent.
Session 7 all M50, 5 lifters, and another good session for spectators. Bryn Jones missed his first 2 snatches and finally made the 3rd in good style and then went on to break the jerk record by 1 kg with a poweful 123 kg jerk. Stuart Choate lifted powerfully and made all 6 attempts. Gurdawer Dhesi injured himself liftin in the World 2011 World Masters but looked comfortable and as strong as ever making all 6 attempts and finishing his performance with a 145 kg jerk.
Session 8 was dominated by Scotland as 7 lifters in total competed all in M45 (45-49) and 4 of them from Scotland and all winning medals. A good competion in the 77 kg category with 3 lifters all battling for the gold medal with Alan Davidson the eventual winner from Michael Roach and Lee Ottey finishing third. Mark Wager looked powerful and lifted very powerfully but was just a fraction away on his snatch and jerk and failed to create new British Masters records which he attempted and looked capable of, next time for sure.
Session 9 all 8 lifters in M40 (40-44) and again some hard fought battles in the 85 and 94 kg categories. In the 85 kg category Sauro Gardenal made first place by 2 kg over Carl Deasy and Ian Robertson third. At 94 kg Jeff Dovey strived to stay with Tony Morgan and although Tony only took his opening snatch he was too strong on the jerk for Jeff.
Session 10, the final session of 6 lifters M35 (35-39) highlighted by the presence of Tommy Yule, a previous Coomonwealth Games medal winner. In his own words, Tommy is happy just to be back on the platform again, he only made one snatch and two jerks but his second jerk of 170 kg was very strong and he did look capable of making the weights he failed.
Comment
A special thanks to Eddie Halstead and his helpers who set up the venue so well to make it worthy of a British championship, Eddie put in a lot of time and effort.
Thank you Mark Beck and Jo McManus for your friendship and your help over the 2 days of the championship and for staying so late on the Sunday to help Eddie to clear all the equipment from the venue hall.
Thank you Amanda Black for your tireless work as Competition Steward relaying weight changes from the warm up area to the Speaker (as well as competing), you did a great job.
Thank you Paul Furness for your help on the technical side, the scoreboard, and the results which will appear on this website shortly.
Thank you Sid Grant who always helps in every way possible at all British Masters Championships - referee, timekeeper, and medals.
Thank you to all those officials who took the trouble to bring their "uniforms" and help make this championship.
Competition Budget
Income
Competition entry fees £1720.00
Sales of refeshments 110.00
Total Income £1830.00
Expenditure
Hire of venue 680.00
Medals, centres, & ribbons 400.00
Petrol (2 days Bill Barton) 40.00
Refreshments 132.33
Total expenditure £1252.33
Profit to British Masters account £577.67
***********************************************************************************************
Eight men competed in the 1st session of the championship all eight in the M75 age category, that's 75-79 years of age, the most lifters ever in this age category at a National championship. All 8 lifters really went for their lifts and showed they are still weightlifters, always wanting to put more weight on the bar. Some good lifting with all eight making a total and winnning medals.
Sessions 2 & 3 (Women)
Ten women competed in the two sessions and the overall standard was very high with all the women showing good technique and both sessions were great to watch with very few failures. Some of the women scored very high SMM points, this is the formula based on age and body weight coefficients and ultimately used to rank the best overall lifter in the competition. This honour went to Jo McManus who made 197 SMM points which is considered a very high ranking, 200 points takes a lifter into the "elite" range of Masters weightlifting.
Three lifters broke existing British Masters records, Jo McManus broke her own total record, Bev Pattison shattered all previous records with each snatch and jerk, and with each jerk a new total record, and Gwendolyn Leick also beating her previous jerk record. Personally I really enjoyed watching these 2 sessions, there were no delays, and lifters were on the platform as soon as their names were called. Good weights being lifted and good technique to get the weights overhead, and they all quite clearly enjoyed what they were doing. Well done ladies !!!
Sessions 4 - 10 (Men)
Session 4 saw 6 lifters all in M70 age group, 70-74 years of age, and again all lifters striving for their best and very few failed lifts, 2 lifters making all 6 attempts and another 2 making 5 from 6 attempts.
Session 5 had 4 lifters in M65 (65-69) and 4 lifters in M60 (60-64). Also in this group one lifter from M50 77 kg and one from M40 62 kg - both these lifters in the competition unopposed and offering their services to help run the championship over the 2 days. An opportunity to acquire their availability at the earliest opportunity.
A good battle in the M65 77 kg between Dave Dargue and Michael Butterworth with Michael the worthy winner. Pat Atteridge had not done any snatches since the World Masters in November 2011 but looked comfortable with all his lifts making all 6 attempts.
Once again it was wonderful to have the bubbling Irishman Laurence McConnell at the British Masters and once again he didn't fail to entertain the audience. Laurence struggled (by his own standards) in 2011 due to injury but no signs of those injuries as Laurence powered to new British records on the snatch, jerk, and total, and his final jerk of 130 exceeded the World Masters record by 5 kg.
Session 6 had 7 lifters all in M55 (55-59) and once again some good lifting with Mark Welch managing to increase his own jerk record by 3 kg with a very gritty jerk of 118 kg and the total record by 7 kg. Graham Skinner told me it was the first time he has made 3 jerks in a British Masters and his 125 3rd attempt was excellent.
Session 7 all M50, 5 lifters, and another good session for spectators. Bryn Jones missed his first 2 snatches and finally made the 3rd in good style and then went on to break the jerk record by 1 kg with a poweful 123 kg jerk. Stuart Choate lifted powerfully and made all 6 attempts. Gurdawer Dhesi injured himself liftin in the World 2011 World Masters but looked comfortable and as strong as ever making all 6 attempts and finishing his performance with a 145 kg jerk.
Session 8 was dominated by Scotland as 7 lifters in total competed all in M45 (45-49) and 4 of them from Scotland and all winning medals. A good competion in the 77 kg category with 3 lifters all battling for the gold medal with Alan Davidson the eventual winner from Michael Roach and Lee Ottey finishing third. Mark Wager looked powerful and lifted very powerfully but was just a fraction away on his snatch and jerk and failed to create new British Masters records which he attempted and looked capable of, next time for sure.
Session 9 all 8 lifters in M40 (40-44) and again some hard fought battles in the 85 and 94 kg categories. In the 85 kg category Sauro Gardenal made first place by 2 kg over Carl Deasy and Ian Robertson third. At 94 kg Jeff Dovey strived to stay with Tony Morgan and although Tony only took his opening snatch he was too strong on the jerk for Jeff.
Session 10, the final session of 6 lifters M35 (35-39) highlighted by the presence of Tommy Yule, a previous Coomonwealth Games medal winner. In his own words, Tommy is happy just to be back on the platform again, he only made one snatch and two jerks but his second jerk of 170 kg was very strong and he did look capable of making the weights he failed.
Comment
A special thanks to Eddie Halstead and his helpers who set up the venue so well to make it worthy of a British championship, Eddie put in a lot of time and effort.
Thank you Mark Beck and Jo McManus for your friendship and your help over the 2 days of the championship and for staying so late on the Sunday to help Eddie to clear all the equipment from the venue hall.
Thank you Amanda Black for your tireless work as Competition Steward relaying weight changes from the warm up area to the Speaker (as well as competing), you did a great job.
Thank you Paul Furness for your help on the technical side, the scoreboard, and the results which will appear on this website shortly.
Thank you Sid Grant who always helps in every way possible at all British Masters Championships - referee, timekeeper, and medals.
Thank you to all those officials who took the trouble to bring their "uniforms" and help make this championship.
Competition Budget
Income
Competition entry fees £1720.00
Sales of refeshments 110.00
Total Income £1830.00
Expenditure
Hire of venue 680.00
Medals, centres, & ribbons 400.00
Petrol (2 days Bill Barton) 40.00
Refreshments 132.33
Total expenditure £1252.33
Profit to British Masters account £577.67
***********************************************************************************************
2011 British Masters Centenary Weightlifting Championship
Lilleshall N.S.C. 19th - 20th March 2011
Championship Report
This being the BAWLA (or BWLA or BWL) Centenary Year it seemed relevant to make every effort to make this a special championship for everyone involved, lifters and officials, I hope it was.
Women
The entry list had 79 competitors and over the two days 70 lifters turned up to compete in 5 sessions on the first day and 4 sessions on the second day. The two women' s sessions on day one provided some good lifting and some outstanding individual performances with 7 lifters in Session 2 and 8 lifters in Session 4. In Session 2 four lifters all made new British Masters records; Sue Trebillcock made a new snatch record with 53 kg in W50/69kg, Heather Allison's lifts 50/62=112 were all new records in W55/58kg, Gwendolyn Leick's lifts 28/40=68 were all new records in WW60/53kg, and Janis Kerr also made new records with her lifts 36/40=76 in W65/75+.
In Session 4 Bev Pattison was a bit shaky on her snatches (unusual) but came through strong on her jerks to set a new W45/53kg record with 64kg.
All the women were in good form and showed some excellent techniques. The best lifter was Heather Allison with 200 SMM Points, second was Bev Pattison with 184, third Sue Trebillcock with 180, and fourth Jo McManus with 179.
Men
The first group of men Session 1 one lifter in M80, 4 lifters in M75, and 4 lifters in M70. The oldest lifter in the championship at 80 was Derek Stewart and he made all new records in M80/62kg.
Session 2 included 2 lifters in the M40/62kg with Mark Beck beating Stuart Treadwell and breaking his own BM records with his third snatch of 83 kg and total 185kg.
In Session 5 Andy Seaber moved up to the 77 kg Category where the records set by Bill Barton at 75kg in 1994 stood at 90/112.5=202.5kg. These records were totally annihilated by Andy as he opened with a new record snatch of 91 followed by successful 94 and 97 and then with his third jerk he made 113kg to total 210kg. Six good attempts from 6 lifts and new BM records. Andy also took the championship best lifter award with 373 SMM Points.
An exciting contest in Session 6 M50/94kg for the gold medal and for the bronze medal. Stuart Choate took 1st place from Graham Skinner on lighter body weight and both with a 205kg total. David Mannion's total of 163kg enabled him to take third place from Malcolm Nuttall by only 1 kg. Gurdawer Dhesi won the M50/105kg with a comfortable 6 from 6 attempts and a 250kg which earned the overall championship best lifter 2nd place behind Andy Seaber with 356 SMM Points.
In Session 7 we saw Andy Sutor make a return to the Masters and an attack on some of Any Seaber's records in M50. Although failing with his third snatch of 103kg which would have been a record, Andy put in a huge effort on his third jerk to take the M50/77kg record with 122kg.
Mark Wager broke all his own BM records in the M45/105+kg with 112/145+257kg and some excellent fast and powerful lifting. The last session was very interesting with 4 competitors in the M40/105+kg, all pushing hard for the medals and going right down to the final attemps. The exciting finish ended with a win for Jeff Williams, 2nd Rob Carpenter, 3rd Ryan Morton, and 4th Andrew Butler.
It was also good to see many new faces competing for the first time in a British Masters Championship as well as a few old faces returning to the championship platform. Some of the newcomers (and sorry if I missed anyone) were Amenda Black, Vika De Giorgi, Annie Ottey, John Kersh, Andrzej Skrypij, Sauro Gardenal, Stephen Aish, Sam Sovey, Lee Ottey, Peter Cardona, Jeff Dovey, Fozlur Rahman, and Paul Furness. Some returning absentees - Brian Preece, Andy Sutor, and Tony Morgan. Let's see you all back next year.
Report - Bill Barton
Women
The entry list had 79 competitors and over the two days 70 lifters turned up to compete in 5 sessions on the first day and 4 sessions on the second day. The two women' s sessions on day one provided some good lifting and some outstanding individual performances with 7 lifters in Session 2 and 8 lifters in Session 4. In Session 2 four lifters all made new British Masters records; Sue Trebillcock made a new snatch record with 53 kg in W50/69kg, Heather Allison's lifts 50/62=112 were all new records in W55/58kg, Gwendolyn Leick's lifts 28/40=68 were all new records in WW60/53kg, and Janis Kerr also made new records with her lifts 36/40=76 in W65/75+.
In Session 4 Bev Pattison was a bit shaky on her snatches (unusual) but came through strong on her jerks to set a new W45/53kg record with 64kg.
All the women were in good form and showed some excellent techniques. The best lifter was Heather Allison with 200 SMM Points, second was Bev Pattison with 184, third Sue Trebillcock with 180, and fourth Jo McManus with 179.
Men
The first group of men Session 1 one lifter in M80, 4 lifters in M75, and 4 lifters in M70. The oldest lifter in the championship at 80 was Derek Stewart and he made all new records in M80/62kg.
Session 2 included 2 lifters in the M40/62kg with Mark Beck beating Stuart Treadwell and breaking his own BM records with his third snatch of 83 kg and total 185kg.
In Session 5 Andy Seaber moved up to the 77 kg Category where the records set by Bill Barton at 75kg in 1994 stood at 90/112.5=202.5kg. These records were totally annihilated by Andy as he opened with a new record snatch of 91 followed by successful 94 and 97 and then with his third jerk he made 113kg to total 210kg. Six good attempts from 6 lifts and new BM records. Andy also took the championship best lifter award with 373 SMM Points.
An exciting contest in Session 6 M50/94kg for the gold medal and for the bronze medal. Stuart Choate took 1st place from Graham Skinner on lighter body weight and both with a 205kg total. David Mannion's total of 163kg enabled him to take third place from Malcolm Nuttall by only 1 kg. Gurdawer Dhesi won the M50/105kg with a comfortable 6 from 6 attempts and a 250kg which earned the overall championship best lifter 2nd place behind Andy Seaber with 356 SMM Points.
In Session 7 we saw Andy Sutor make a return to the Masters and an attack on some of Any Seaber's records in M50. Although failing with his third snatch of 103kg which would have been a record, Andy put in a huge effort on his third jerk to take the M50/77kg record with 122kg.
Mark Wager broke all his own BM records in the M45/105+kg with 112/145+257kg and some excellent fast and powerful lifting. The last session was very interesting with 4 competitors in the M40/105+kg, all pushing hard for the medals and going right down to the final attemps. The exciting finish ended with a win for Jeff Williams, 2nd Rob Carpenter, 3rd Ryan Morton, and 4th Andrew Butler.
It was also good to see many new faces competing for the first time in a British Masters Championship as well as a few old faces returning to the championship platform. Some of the newcomers (and sorry if I missed anyone) were Amenda Black, Vika De Giorgi, Annie Ottey, John Kersh, Andrzej Skrypij, Sauro Gardenal, Stephen Aish, Sam Sovey, Lee Ottey, Peter Cardona, Jeff Dovey, Fozlur Rahman, and Paul Furness. Some returning absentees - Brian Preece, Andy Sutor, and Tony Morgan. Let's see you all back next year.
Report - Bill Barton