17th British Hand Strength Champs

Up early (me hungry!!) and even at 5am the photo makes me laugh LOL

bencrush wrote:Great job guys! Awesome photo of Steve closing the Vulcan! Love the pirate effect.

Here's a good one of a non-competitor having a go... he he

Good job all around!

Hey, is that 15k plate in the wrist curl a little on the small side? Looks almost the diameter of a typical 10k plate that I see.

Nah. Normal size. I wrote the measurements in my log ages ago and we used one picked from the several metal (I have some covered in rubber too) ones we have. In fact there's a ten on the floor just beyond the bench and you'll see it's a little smaller.

Looked to be a great day out for all concerned,nice to see Steve without the glasses for a change
Perhaps next year.

feel like i could eat six cows and a horse

thanks to david for letting me pick his brain a bit, got a MUCH better idea of how to go about my training / how to peak for a contest - i suppose it goes without saying but the man knows his stuff

Fantastic job guys!

Huge numbers there. Wow!

Congrats to all!

Congrats to BIG Steve taking the crown



--T

Well done to everyone!

and congrats to "Steve the pirate" for the win!

Well done to everyone, especially to Paul for edging out Stevie G on grippers. And to Steve for the amazing noises he produced after narrowly missing the WR pinch.

sam solomi wrote:
Fred, Twig's got to get a euro for you to play with to bring this up,

Ere! I'm not his Mum, or his bloody boyfriend!

Actually I'm already with discussions with David for a Euro, but for ME to play with, Fred can use it as well, of course, I'm not getting one each, I'm not made of money.

Sunday (The day after the night (day) before)
For some god forsaken reason I was up at the crack of dawn, probably all the caffeine etc I took yesterday to get me through the day. Indeed none for the week preceding it except whatever was in my usual cup of tea in the morning gave whatever stimulants I used yesterday an extra kick. Anyway, most of week, from Monday onwards, had been with no training at all. I'd planned on having my last day on Tuesday but low back pelvic pain meant I stopped a day early. So I did some stretching 2-3x a day after that. It seemed no matter what though that my back was going to be 'off' all week and even though I'd hoped to bound out of bed like a young Gazelle come Saturday morning while shouting 'it's a miracle, I'm cured' that didn't happen.

You can imagine then that whatever game plan I might have had might well be off and for sure the 'will I, wont I?' doubts flitted about my brain. Both Paul Savage (fellow competitor and my tenant) and I were up a little early (6'ish) and so I fuelled up with an early breakfast, enjoyed a relaxing bath, dosed my myself up on what ought to be my new sponsor (Ibuprofen) and then snacked before starting to take over the last few bits and bobs to help the competition run smoothly. In fact previously I'd not liked having 'all this crap to do' pre comp but it is a distraction so you don't sit around fretting about what's gonna happen, how you feel and so on.

Kick off was set for 1100 and if I remember only our ref, David Horne, was a little late due to some accidents he had to get pass on the way down. The rest of the gang, Sam Solomi (Devon and brought up by buddy Tim), Fred Coombs (studying in Wiltshire) and Stew (Hampshire) all arrived in time and I handed out the event shirts kindly donated by James Grahame. I made sure, if there were no others, that we got at least one shot of the gang together.


L-R: Sam, Fred, Paul, Steve and Stew

Vulcan
First event was using David Horne's Vulcan Gripper. Indeed we use the EXACT same machine, spring, etc every time we use it as an event. This levels the field as it were. I'd had it in mind that I'd do well with my right but might place 2nd or even 3rd in this event based on my left hand strength. I knew Paul had been doing well and Sam can and does have good days on this (winning grippers in the 08 Euros). But while I placed 2nd (equalling Paul's right with a level 19 effort but getting a 16 to his 19 with my left). Sam got 16 both hands and Fred with one of his and these numbers mean they'd do well on David Horne's list of the same.

2HP
I was favourite on this event and did not disappoint. I lost on the coin toss (wide or narrow... it was narrow) so went first and was the only one, as per, at 44mm. But my first official attempt won the event (about 102kg). I then pulled 107 and 110 (none scaled). As I knew I was ahead of where ever any of others might be bar a miracle I could have left it after the 2nd lift but as my hips, thanks to many, many painkillers, were feeling ok and my pinch grip strong it was a 'what the hell' moment and I went outside while the guys reloaded and scaled the set up to get it to 115.5-kilos (the world record being 115) . When I came back even with my huffing and puffing and what looks like a valiant effort I was once again short of just touching the bar at the required height (as with my previous attempt with 117 a few weeks back). Sam did a video:



Sam managed to get his name moved up several slots on the top 50 of all time list (now at 21) with a 93.07kg effort but I'd hoped to see him pull 105-kilos. The rest of the field averaged 80kg. Paul also knew this would not be a great event for him and like him many times in training I also tore a little skin on my final lift.

Plate Wrist Curl
Next up was our new test of wrist strength the plate wrist curl. We used a typical 15-kilo Olympic weightlifting plate for most of the event (with the exception of Fred's efforts) and then a light weight (1.6kg) loading pin and additional discs where required.


Steve, either on the way down or on the way up with a decent weight.

This was very much a work in progress in terms of trying to get the spirit of the event conveyed in the rules and application. But, for the most part, it worked. Ultimately having a good day with my left hand and making the right choices helped me win the event. Paul said after that he'd peaked, in his mind, a little early hitting the big numbers (15+3.75+pin) around 2 weeks earlier. Later, in a conversation with David, he admitted a lack of experience meant that being able to put it together on the day had not helped. Mind you I recall saying as much but it was when we were trash talking during the run up LOL ;D.

One hand deadlift.
This was the one event were, with my back injury, I felt it might be the tipping point had the previous events not gone well. I also, confidence aside, never take any event nor point in the competition for granted. It would be like Jenson Button deciding, with a half lap to go, to milk the crowd only for a 2nd place guy to have the lap from Heaven and pass him on the final straight. So it was very much a case of 'lets see what my body lets me do'.

In training my best, a few weeks before and sans injury, had been a very hard 200-kilos with each hand. They had literally almost put me on my arse in terms of effort. I'd actually staggered around the lifting platform hoping not to fall over and knock myself out while having the gym to myself. Now, with my back bitching all damned week, I was more concerned with not doing myself an injury that would put me out of action for weeks. Not only would that have done for me the day I'd have been done for the US competition to come. Add to that that like a race horse post race my muscles, from calves to neck, had been twitching and cramping all day regardless of how much I drank. I'd had this previously and said then it was as though my body was ready to tense the hardest it possibly can to give maximum effort. But fun... not a bit. Even taking my track suit bottoms off to allow me to push off a thigh meant pain and discomfort.

With all that in mind I had to start thinking about how hard I wanted to win, how much desire I had and how deep in pain I was prepared to take myself. I'm 'lucky', if that's a good choice of word, that I can be a little off the wall in such moments and quite prepared to be daft, at least from the point of view of those who do not do what we do and ready to tear something. Do or die. Open the gates I is a coming.

On my first pull I had a quite weird pulling sensation on the right site of my pelvis. Whether I freed something up (sitting here with some discomfort like before says otherwise) or maybe I just felt ok enough to know I would be ok... whatever. I knew I could pull some more. So I did a 160kg left and 170kg right opener. Paul seemed to be choosing thus 'whatever Steve does plus 2.5kg' but actually did 162.5 and 170 (same as me). Regardless it meant a 2.5kg lead on that event, if not overall 9all that matters). My 2nd pulls were 170kg left and 180kg right. Second blood of the day for me (following the pinch and my right thumb base) with a small but annoying tear to the left thumb pad. I kept it clean while Paul pulled 180kg with either hand (bar to the front to my straddle style). Again, on this event, Paul in front and very much in contention. My left thumb momentarily dry I did a 180-kilo... ahh but no go. It did not budge one inch whatsoever. My mind, it seemed, let me down and the tear stopped me putting any power into the lift. Legging it over the road I came back with some plaster type tape and in accordance with the rules taped the tear. With the rising bar rule in place it was me again with the final lift for my left hand (2 still left for my right) I managed a good high pull with my left hand. I opted for a 190kg right for my third attempt so it was Paul again he did a 182.5 left and a 185 right. Could this be the tipping point, later mentioned by David, were the right choices could mean winning and wrong ones losing? It seems so. So I had the 3rd right attempt but failed to get to a high enough position for the ref to give me the nod with the 190-kilos. I then, playing the game, looked at the points, the lifts and half an eye on what I'd done and thought myself capable of. So I can take the 190 again... is that enough?... damn and blast my tired brain... screw it I'll take 200-kilos to ensure the points.

So 200-kilos it is then. The 190 having not been quite high enough I slipped off, again with the cramp, my weightlifting boots to get what little extra height I could. Load the bar boys here we go!


It aint pretty but it'll do.

With one of the 'rrrooooaaarrrrrrrrrgetttthheeefuuuucccckkkupppp' type moments and a 'damn the consequences' floating through my mind I took my sweet time. There's a photo of me, eyes to the gods, lost in the moment and dragging what I need from some place in my head and my heart. Off the floor and please god let the ref say good lift... there! He said it. Job done!!! How fucking sweet does that taste??? Oh yes!!

Baby Inch dumbbell hold for time
Now I can cruise. With me in the lead everyone else goes first. Times vary from 8 seconds a hand to Paul's respectable 35 and 36 but my best is 1.05 and I did 40 odd weeks ago then stopped bothering to train it. I hear David say 'you only need 5 seconds plus' and I'm the current record holder. But I've loads left and so now I can show boat. I pull 50-seconds with either hand to put me out in front.

Fin
Was it an easy win? Not my a long chalk. My body felt more battered than during any previous competition and I never once took my foot off the gas. One bad event, one silly mistake and my four point lead over Paul could have disappeared. But 4 firsts and one 2nd... enough to get the job done.

As always a long and tiring day. In a moment before the trophies I took a few seconds to remind the MUCH younger guys that they are close to me now and how much better than me they will be very, very soon. That they are our future and need to bring in more blood. I remind ALL those present, the ref, myself and the other lifters - young and old - that just by taking part they rise from the mob and need to pat themselves on the back. Many lift, few compete.

Finally I paid thanks to those without whom the day would not have had the shine it did. From James Grahame and Doherty's gym in Australia helping a competition in the UK with the shirts, through 'Big' Al Christie of www.perthstrongman.com whose fiscal help allowed, for the first time ever, us to give cash prizes (the balance from the entry fees) and finally to Steve and Ken of www.londonkettlebells.com who have helped me three years on the trot and more to give away some great high value items every year. Thanks again guys - your outstanding contributions help us keep going.

Now I can ease of the gas for a few days and then back on with half the work load in the next few weeks with an eye on my next visit to the US of A on June 20th. Oh joy... 280+ and an economy seat and 9+ hours... I can't wait.

Great comp I wish there were more of them.

David, Your right I was disapointed yesterday not at coming 5th so much as with 7 weeks training against the caliber of guys competing I thought there was always a possibility of this. The disapointment really for me was not performing as well as I should have, pinch was bizzare, plate curl was less than a week previous in training and 8 seconds on the baby inch well enough said.

No excuses I'm healthy, no injuries and just really should have done a bit better.

I'm just looking forward to the next time and hoping I dont have to wait a year for it although for now I am going to be diverting 100% of my training to the team strongman comp as one bad performance a year is quite enough.

yeh, this was a great battle, i loved it (not fond of the outcome!!) but now that the adrenline has worn off im really paying for it, my hamstrings feel like they have been slashed with a knife, my back is stupid stiff, my hands have been shaking all day an have no feeling in my right thumb, im pretty much broken

That sounds like me beforehand not, after. LOL Now I'm chomping my way through the remainder of the Chinese meal I brought for me and David. Eat, eat and eat some more.

I've mentioned this before, in light of the cramps and spasms etc I was getting during the event but my hands were not only torn up (left thumb pad and right base of thumb) but cramping and doing funky stuff last night and even earlier today. Hydrate (mineral salts and electrolytes esp) as much as you can, lots of protein and carbs and finally those contrast baths you enjoy (me no like but if they work). Also no training until Wednesday earliest.

Oh and before I forget, speaking for all concerned and mentioned at the gig, a special thanks to David Horne for his efforts as the ref. Cheers David.

again congrats to all!

Fantastic competition summary guys, thanks for that!

Also - great pictures, guys...and your shirts are looking really cooooool!!!

Cheers

--T

ha ha i guess i'm the only one who trained today then - did some benching and it was not a bad little session.