Information for the Arnold Classic KB Competition

A Proper Thank You

2009-03-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the Arnold, either as a volunteer or a competitor.

I must start with Matt McNamara. Scott Shetler says that Matt is the man that flies under the radar and then comes in to save the day. That is the God’s honest truth. He is completely responsible for all of our kick ass electronics, arranging and rearranging the flight schedule and all of the floor planning with the Arnold people. His diplomacy worked miracles and he never missed a beat from setup to tear down.

Next on the list is Andrew Durniat. The man is a ‘Meet in a Truck’. He hauled all of the considerable equipment to and from his own gym. He called me in a panic the Sat. before saying that he needed a bigger truck! I was very concerned about him. I knew that he was going to expend a lot of energy setting up and that he trained very hard for this meet and I felt that he might not be energetic enough for his set. He said “don’t worry about it Lorraine, I’ll rest on the platform”. We are soooo very lucky he feels that way!!!

I have to thank Chriss Silverstein and Rick and Joey Carranza from IronWorks gym. Chriss is the connection to our sponsor – Tokey Hill. She called one day 5 months ago asking for some help with a meet – that meet just happened to be the Arnold. She is one smart, hard working woman who is now a part of kb sport forever! I’ll never let her go. She and her team of 2 worked so hard for the meet – the first to arrive and the last to leave. I can’t thank them enough.

Thanks to Ken Blackburn and Steve Cotter for the registration on their site – IKFF.net. Ken was responsible for medals and did a great job with that. His boundless enthusiasm can keep me sane in the most impossible situation! Also – he cooks the books with the best of them! (And NO- not financially. We are in a big hole with this meet!!! I meant that he can add up the scores and figure out the winners and I was teasing about the creativity - just sayin.)

Thanks to Tokey Hill for his vision – he will go down in the Arnold History Book as the first to have a venue for a kb competition. Mixing us in with the martial arts just seems rather natural too!

I can’t thank John Dale enough for just sitting down to registration/weigh in when he walked in and saw I had my hands full. He’s been around the kb scene for a long time now! His set looked great too! Another man just jumping in was Rob Goewey – we were very lucky to have him for setup and breakdown and just about everything else in between. Thank you Rob!!!!

A huge special thanks to our illustrious coach – Honored Master of Sport Valery Fedorenko and his editor – Eric Liford. (Does anyone out there really know what Eric does????) Kidding of course! They provided all of the judging staff and are completely in charge of rules, rankings and judging. It’s just getting better and better.

Which brings me to our judges! How can I possibly thank you enough for your considerable efforts! 10 solid hours of sitting and counting and risking embolisms from sitting still for so long!!! Without judges there is no meet and I thank you, thank you, thank you.

What am I supposed to do with Scott Shetler now? I have to behave with him online. It’s not worth getting up in the morning. How was I supposed to know that he can do 6 things at once and is an intimate friend of the mike???? Outstanding job there Scott, IGx will no longer be fun for me.

Special thanks to Doug and Bruce of the Arnold floor crew. They could have been maniacs that we just had to deal with but instead they were perfect stand up guys who made the impossible possible. I really wouldn’t want their jobs, I’m going to stick with drilling. It’s less painful.

Thanks, Cate Imes, for setting up this blog for us!

And to all of you who competed – thank you so much for coming and giving it everything you have on the platform. You are such a unique group and I’m so proud of all of you. I know that most of us train alone although that is starting to change. We need a place to give it all up and that’s the platform at a competition. There seem to be no egos in this sport – we are more of a community than a sport. You all cheer each other on with everything you have. I am so happy to be able to have the chance for you let it go.. I’m happy that this time it was at such a great venue as the Arnolds. I love you all and would gladly work to the bone for you. Thanks!

Lorraine

Results Are Up!

2009-03-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

The results are now posted on the IKFF homepage (right at the top, can't miss it) - www.ikff.net

Thanks to everyone who participated, supported and helped ensure the success of this event. It was a team effort in every sense of the word. The camaraderie that exists in our sport is a rare thing and reflective of the wonderful people involved. I can't count how many times I heard that voiced before, during and after the competition.

As a result, I can say with absolute confidence, our sport is growing and here to stay!

Thanks again to all of you for making this happen!

All the best,
Ken

Thursday Set-Up For Competition

2009-03-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Lorraine, Matt and Andrew have begun the set up process for the competition area.

If any competitors are flying/driving in early and would like to help, it would be much appreciated.

Just e-mail me at ken.blackburn@ikff.net and I will pass along their contact information.

See you soon,
Ken

Weigh in and pick up of registration materials.

2009-02-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

Weigh in will be held at the Holiday Inn - 175 east town street between 4pm and 8:30pm, Friday March 6th. Please look for 'Team Tokey Hill'. Worse comes to worse and we'll have someone in the lobby to direct you to the weigh in area. Or, write to me and I'll give you my cell number and you can just call.

If you cannot make it during this time, email me at lopa56@gmail.com for an appointment. Please do this as soon as possible as I will be in Columbus from Wed on and may not have internet while there.

Thanks!
Lorraine

Meet Tips from Coach Fedorenko

2009-02-21T21:24:00.001-08:00

Fellow Kettlebell Lifters,

I have been a Kettlebell Beginner Student, Professional Athlete, Team Captain, Coach, Physical Instructor, Judge, Organizer, and even President of a National Federation and Vice President of the International Federation in the former USSR. In that time, spanning over 20 years, I have seen my fair share of rules and regulations. I've even been part of creating and implementing such things and continue to do so as Chief Advisor of World Kettlebell Club. Something I know for sure is the job of a Judge is not an easy one. Kettlebell Sport is fast paced and the Judge must keep the Lifter as safe as possible, because the Lifter is working as hard as they can and don't always use good judgement when they have practiced months for this one special performance. The Judge must also keep the competition as fair as possible, because the Lifters on the other platforms are taking this as seriously as can be and want to know there are rules that everyone must abide by.

Still, no system is perfect and neither are the Rules or even "Laws" for that matter. I have seen the Rules for Kettlebell Sport be altered many times over the years. Some good, some not, but regardless of that I familiarized myself with them and did my best to follow them because I wanted to win, and most of all because I wanted to be professional. Judges are not perfect either. After all, this is a "judgement" call by one human of another. In Power Lifting and Olympic Weight Lifting there is a judgement of 1 rep. It's either good or not. Sounds fairly simple, but even in these Sports there are close calls, and even wrong ones. In Kettlebell Sport it's possible to have a hundred, two hundred or more reps from one performance! In a way you could say compared to other Lifting Sports that each rep in Kettlebell Sport is of less value. 1 vs. 100 for example. But, Kettlebell Lifters value every rep and want what I've always considered "payment" for the repetition. 1 rep could mean the difference between 1st and 2nd place, or worse, Champion or "that other guy". Understand now that the Judge is impartial and they are even nervous to give no-counts, but it's a normal and needed part of the Sport and we must respect and accept the call of the Judge if we agree to step onto the Platform.

Over the course of the next few weeks I'll be going over some needed clarifications and details about Kettlebell Sport and what to expect at Meets in general, but for now I have put together a short clip of some of the major points of the 3 Lifts, Jerk, Snatch and LongCycle and what to expect from the Judge at a Meet. I understand that women use 1 kettlebell, but for the purposes of explaining a good rep and bad rep, I have used 2 kettlebells where appropriate and you can use this information (man or woman) for basically any Kettlebell Lifting you do on or off the platform. Acoustical quality and lighting in the video are a bit low because this is shot a few weeks ago in my original gym in Kyrgyzstan where I trained before I was a Professional. I happen to be visiting my family right now but I wanted to give a few tips that will not only improve your numbers in a Meet, but make your experience more meaningful and enjoyable. Please pass this video clip around to anyone you know of going to the Arnold or any other Kettlebell Lifting Meet. While a 14 minute clip can't replace a good Coach and dedicated practice, I hopes it helps you!

Valery Fedorenko
Head Coach AKC

Passes

2009-02-18T11:31:00.000-08:00

Every competitor will receive a full weekend pass at weigh in. Weigh in is on Fri - start time to still be determined.

Flights and Times.

2009-02-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

What you've all been waiting for. Let the Games begin - Please check back here fairly often as the inevitable changes have to be made. I'm trying to keep them to a minimum but......

0800 6 flights Women’s Jerk 1:25

Flight 1: Amateur 12 kg- 0800
Jennell Evans
Nichole Jorgensen
Chriss Silverstein
Maria Cebulla - Masters
Kathleen Sturm
Nicole Totten

Flight 2: Amateur 12 kg- 0815
Sara Moore
Sarah Gilling
Cheryl Kondziolka - Masters
Mary Waldron - Masters
Jenna Brian
Isabel Harris

Flight 3: Pro 16 kg- 0830
Cristal Siscar
Terry Parker
Sarah Wong
Johanna Funk
Liberty Gray

Flight 4: Pro 16 kg- 0845
Sarah Hallas
Jenny Mossel
Susan Wong
Lisa Cirello
Sara Nelson
Tracey Maurice

Flight 5: Pro 16 kg- 0900
Angela Long
Leah Chanady
Rachael Suh
Sara Lieber
Heidy Casanola

Flight 6: Pro 16kg- 0915
Jennifer DiBiase
Chelsea O’Connell
Veronica Stasik
Surya Volinar-Fowler
Cate Imes
Kukka Laakso

0925 Ten minute Break

0935 7 Flights Men’s Jerk 1:40

Flight 7: Youth/Juniors- 0935
Nocona Jodrey Youth
Tyler Vallario
Mitch Blackburn
Nicola Accordino

Flight 8: Seniors 16 kg- 0950
Jerry Gray
David Elkins
Chris Rice
Ken Whetham

Flight 9: Amateur 24kg- 1005
Rick Carranza
Joseph Carranza
Michael Cluse
Jerry Moylan
Michael Cricks
Christian Maier

Flight 10: Amateur 24 kg- 1020
Cory Murphy
Todd Weber
Henry Marshall
Chris Greathouse
Matt Schinabeck
Phillip Humphrey

Flight 11: Amateur 24 kg- 1035
Ken Black
William Bundy
Troy Malson
Steve Maxfield
Dan Hustead
Kurt Funk - Masters

Flight 12: Masters 24 kg- 1050
Gary Todd
Mike Sanders
John Dale
Alexander Makarov
Martin Kelley
Darin Cebulla

Flight 13: Pro 32 kg- 1105
Mike Sherman
Justin Case
Brent Miffitt
Andrew Durniat
Chris Duffey

1115 Forty Five Minute Lunch Break/ Strength Demos

1200 6 Flights Women’s Snatch 1:25

Flight 14: Amateur 12 kg- 1200
Jennell Evans
Nichole Jorgensen
Chriss Silverstein
Maria Cebulla - Masters
Kathleen Sturm
Nicole Totten

Flight 15: Amateur 12 kg- 1215
Sara Moore
Sarah Gilling
Cheryl Kondziolka - Masters
Mary Waldron - Masters
Jenna Brian
Isabel Harris

Flight 16: Pro 16 kg- 1230
Cristal Siscar
Terry Parker
Sarah Wong
Johanna Funk
Liberty Gray

Flight 17: Pro 16 kg- 1245
Sarah Hallas
Jenny Mossel
Susan Wong
Lisa Cirello
Sara Nelson
Tracey Maurice

Flight 18: Pro 16 kg- 1300
Angela Long
Leah Chanady
Rachael Suh
Sara Lieber
Heidy Casanola

Flight 19: Pro 16kg- 1315
Jennifer DiBiase
Chelsea O’Connell
Veronica Stasik
Surya Volinar-Fowler
Cate Imes
Kukka Laakso

1325 Ten Minute Break

1335 7 Flights Men’s Snatch 1:40

Flight 20: Youth/Juniors- 1335
Nocona Jodrey Youth
Tyler Vallario
Mitch Blackburn
Nicola Accordino

Flight 21: Seniors 16 kg- 1350
Jerry Gray
David Elkins
Chris Rice

Flight 22: Amateur 24kg- 1405
Rick Carranza
Joseph Carranza
Michael Cluse
Jerry Moylan
Michael Cricks
Christian Maier

Flight 23: Amateur 24 kg- 1420
Cory Murphy
Todd Weber
Henry Marshall
Chris Greathouse
Matt Schinabeck
Phillip Humphrey

Flight 24: Amateur 24 kg- 1435
Ken Black
William Bundy
Troy Malson
Steve Maxfield
Dan Hustead
Kurt Funk - Masters

Flight 25: Masters 24 kg- 1450
Gary Todd
Mike Sanders
John Dale
Alexander Makarov Darin Cebulla
Martin Kelley

Flight 26: Pro 32 kg- 1505
Mike Sherman
Justin Case
Brent Miffitt
Andrew Durniat
Chris Duffey

1515 Ten minute Break

1525 3 Flights Women’s LC 0:40

Flight 27: Amateur 12 kg- 1525
Jessie Wright
Abbey French
Julie Miller
Celia Wells

Flight 28: Masters 12 kg- 1540
Ayame Hollings
Dorothy Hannon - Seniors 8 kg
Teri Hays
Dianna Pendleton

Flight 29: Pro 16 kg- 1555
Kim Turko
Jill Caskey
Maya Garcia
Bonnie Mullaney
Vanessa Turner

1605 Forty Minute Break/ Strength Demos

1645 6 Flights Men’s LC 1:25

Flight 30: Youth /Juniors- 1645
Colin Wells
Connor Wells

Flight 31: Amateur 24 kg- 1700
Richard Sherrod
John Caskey - Master
Boris Terzic
Ross Gilling
Kevin Jodrey - Master
Michael Rhodes

Flight 32: Amateur 24 kg- 1715
Tim Lynch
Jason Dolby
Scott Shetler
Jason Turko
Robert Goewey - Master

Flight 33: Pro 32 kg- 1730
Marty Farrell
Scott Helsley
Ken Blackburn
Jeff Mossel

Flight 34: Pro 32 kg- 1745
Steve Miller
Miki Ilic
Jason Keen
Christopher Wells
John Wild Buckley

1755 - Done with Lifting.

Details, details

2009-01-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

Weigh in will be held at the Holiday Inn - 175 east town street. It is very close to the Convention Center. It will be on Fri night March 6th. I'm not entirely sure of the start time - give me a week or two please. If you have a late flight on Fri night I will be sure to wait for you but please write to me and tell me approximately when you will get in.

As for the actual competition - it will be held at the Convention Center in Hall C. It is right next to the expo floor. It is also the place where all the martial arts competitions will be held so be prepared for quite a crowd.

We're over 100!

2009-01-08T06:25:00.000-08:00

We have over 100 participants signed on for this meet. Registration is now closed. Thanks to all who have registered and happy training to you all!

Over 90!

2008-12-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

Over 90 people have registered for the Arnold Classic KB event. So, if you are sitting on the fence, now's the time to act. If you have registered and have not received your entry form, please email me at lopa43@hotmail.com. Put something KB like in the subject line please. I will send it off to you right away.

If you have not sent me an entry, please be sure to do so. You have until Feb. 1st to decide which event or what weight class you're aiming for but I would like to have the entry form now anyway. It just makes keeping track of all you guys a bit easier. You're a slippery bunch. On January 31 you can email me with your decision and I'll change up your entry form for you.

Thanks!!!!

Lorraine

Hotel Info

2008-12-23T07:03:00.001-08:00

85 people have registered so far! Only 15 spots left.

For information regarding hotel accommodations, please go to this site-

http://arnoldsportsfestival.com/experience/hotels/

Updates for 12/22/08

2008-12-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

Since we have announced that all participants would be limited to one event, there has been some confusion as to what those events are. Snatch and Jerk will not be separate events. The events are Long Cycle or Biathalon. Long Cycle consists of 10 min of cleans followed by jerks and Biathalon consists of one 10 minutes set of jerks followed by a 10 minute set of snatches with a minimum of 30 minutes of rest in between. For more details regarding these events you can go to -http://americankettlebellclub.net/forum/faq.php. You’ll also find the rules and regulations here.

Happy training,
Lorraine

More Competition Details

2008-12-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first ever Arnold Fitness Expo Kettlebell competiton to be held on March 7th, 2009. Please check this blog often for updates.

There have been several large changes since we announced the meet. The first and most notable change is that we decided to limit participation to 100 competitors instead of 150. 150 is a good number for the future, but it is overwhelming for 2009. We will now be able to hold the entire competiton on Sat, March 7. Weigh-in will still be held on March 6 starting at 6:30 pm and will take place at the Holiday Inn.

The second major change that has occured is that we are asking all participants to limit themselves to one event only. I have attempted to contact those of you who have forwarded me (Lorraine Patten) your entry forms personally.

We've noticed that the more experienced lifters limit themselves to one event for a good reason! This is the Arnold Fitness Expo and you will want to give it all that you've got and two events is one too many.

About this site

2008-12-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

Updates and information related to the Kettlebell Competition at the 2009 Arnold Classic will be posted on this site. Stay tuned for more updates!