UKKA 2005 UK Championship Report.
The first United Kingdom Kettlebell Association Championships took
place at the Uxbridge Street Community Centre, Burton Upon Trent,
Staffordshire on Sunday 23rd July 2005.
Other than attending coaching workshops, this was as far as I know,
the first competitive gathering of "Kettlebell Enthusiasts"
within the United Kingdom for many years.
With competitors striving to achieve personal bests in a number of
lifts-thus laying the foundations for furore competitions and setting
"bench marks" for others to aim at bettering next year.
Although full details of the lifts and records established accompany
this report, I will mention a few of my own recollections of this
memorable occasion.
the first impression. I gained as a relative newcomer to the world
of kettlebell's was the competitive, camaraderie and good sportsmanship
displayed by all concerned. Everyone was friendly and willing to help
with constructive advice of vocal encouragement.
My own special moment was watching my 34 year old son, Richard, who
managed 125 consecutive hand to hand spins in three minutes with a
16 k kettlebell, only two years after having microsurgery to repair
severed tendons in his forearm.
I was also very much impressed by the determination and resolve displayed
by Edouard Amper who at 33 years of age, and in body weight of under
60k battled through a stamina sapping routine snatching a 16 k kettlebell
for 100 repetitions with either arm. A combined total of 200 reps
completed in 8 minutes and 30 seconds. Edouard, who is partially sighted,
travelled by public transport from Peterborough in order to take part.
when talking of travelling long distances in order to take part-I
have to take my hat off to 44 year old German strength athlete Thilo
Thauer, whos awesome power has to be seen to be believed . Thilo commenced
by completing 32 consecutive two-handed swings with a 40k kettlebell.
Then, using the same kettlebell performed nine single arm snatches
with both his left and right arm's in one minute and seven seconds.
No mean feat.
Pound for pound, Roger Davis from Hemel-Hempstead takes a bit of
beating. At a body weight of just over 12 stones, Roger completed
a total of 61 alternate arm snatches, 30, with his left and 31 with
is right. Using a 32 kilo kettlebell. Very impressive.
I could go on listing meritorious individual performances, but will
respectfully refrain from so doing and refer interested readers to
the list of records that follow this report.
One cannot conclude this report, with out, saying a big thank you
to Sue & Stan Pike chairman and chief coach of the United Kingdom
Kettlebell Association without whose energy and enthusiasm. This event
would never have taken place. Likewise, thanks are due to Steve Gardner,
president of the International All-round Weightlifters Association,
for both his hospitality, and for and agreeing to act as one of the
three judges,the others being Guy Noble from Harrogate and John Murphy
from Dudley whos own efforts using a 20 kilo kettlebell to perform
one leg pistols, was enthusiastically applauded by his two little
daughters, to whom Daddy will always be a hero. Well done, John, your
family support far outshines any Olympic gold medal.
Mark Shaw, editor of strength athletes Journal and himself a former
multi international, all round weightlifting association record holder
attended the UKKA 2005 championships as a guest. We look forward to
reading the Marks valued observations in due course.
Well, that about it for now folks- I must put down the pen and pick
up the kettlebell. Training for next year, at least in my own case,
starts now.
To those who missed out on a most enjoyable day, we hope to see you
next year.
Be sure to keep strong.
Mike Lawson.
Standing in at short notice for Sue Pike as UKKA scribe and number-one
kettlebell polisher.
Competition Results
