Strength and Power Notes October 2009
Recent weeks have brought a chance to reconnect with a few long-time weightlifting friends. As we all discover, the Iron Game really is one big family. Readers may enjoy some of the following.
In my October Weightlifting e-Bulletin (my free newsletter), I reprint some interesting insights from Bob Takano. Bob and I go back a long ways and he’s one of the most respected voices when it comes to clearing the frequently foggy air surrounding weightlifting and strength training. Check it out the October eBulletin newsletter here. I strongly recommend you subscribe to Bob’s free electronic newsletter. Join his mailing list at, www.TakanoAthletics.com. Takano Athletics and Newton Sports are linked, so feel free to go through this web site if you want.
Driven by the unfortunate tsunami news in the South Pacific, the past few weeks also put me back in contact with several friendly forces responsible for the growth of weightlifting in Oceania.
During my time as national coach and executive director of USA Weightlifting I worked to establish solid relationships with the lifting countries of Oceania, those island nations of the Pacific, and the USA. The Oceania Weightlifting Federation, largely under the guidance of Paul Coffa, has made huge strides forward.
The current OCF newsletter highlights former lifter and world medalist, Stephen Marcus, now the President of Nauru, addressing the United Nations and posing with President and Mrs. Obama. That’s a long way from the lifting platform!
I had the pleasure of conducting Olympic Solidarity courses in American Samoa (1988) and the Cook Islands (1991), where I worked closely with Albert Mailo and Tony Hole, respectively. The tragic headlines of devastating earthquakes and tsunami in this area put us back in contact.
American Samoa received the brunt of the tsunami. When this hit the Pacific Min-Games weightlifting was just getting underway on Rarotanga, the capital of the Cook Islands. Fifteen countries took part, with some absolutely outstanding results. But the shocking news of what was happening at home caused a great deal concern and travel adjustments. Tony forwarded to me a photographic PDF of the amazing damage done on American Samoa.
Here’s some of the news I received:
"Harvey-
Of course the tragedy that struck the Pacific with the massive earthquake and then the tsunami, left everybody shocked. It all happened on the first day of lifting, just two hours prior to competition, which left many of the athletes, particularly from Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga devastated.
Kindest regards,
Paul Coffa
Samoa"
"Kia Orana Harvey,
We were very lucky that we only had part of the Avatiu Harbor got the water sucked out and then we had heavy rain and strong winds for a few days. The Teams of Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa had just arrived when we got the news that their Islands had been hit. Due to the damage caused it was decided that the teams would stay in Raro and take part, as there were problems in regards to flights to our neighbor islands.
(As of today) most of the Teams have left Rarotonga as per their bookings.
Regards,
Tony
Cook Islands"
"Dear Harvey,
Thank you so much for your email. Yes the earthquake and tsunami were a bit scary.
We were in the Cook Islands for the Pacific Mini Games and although we felt the tremors and there was some swelling of the ocean we were very fortunate it didn't cause us many problems.
The results are certainly starting to come in the Pacific. A lot of work has gone into it. The Institute program in New Caledonia is working very well. And we look forward to a medal at the World Championships.
Kindest regards,
Paul Coffa"
"Dear Harvey,
Thanks for your concern. We are doing very well considering the disaster that hit us. The devastation was enormous and the number of lives lost was tremendous when compared to our population.
We just sent a new group of lifters to the South Pacific Mini Games in the Cook Islands just before the earthquake and tsunami hit us. Our team was composed of 4 junior lifters. The 2 oldest boys were 19 years old, another boy was 18 and the youngest was 15 years old. We got 1 medal a bronze. By the time the Senior South Pacific Games come around in 2011 in New Caledonia I think we will be competing for a few golds.
Thank you again for thinking about us.
Al Mailo
American Samoa"
On November 5 Doug Lane and I again combine resources to present an off-bike conditioning clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
I’m awaiting final details from Robert Brown (www.rbrownsports.com) of Dallas about a two-day volleyball coaches’ clinic on explosive training. Check back at Newton Sports to learn more about this as the plan develops.
