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2016 Updated Qualifications List for NAGS Championship


Jedd Johnson

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The NAGS committee has updated the qualification criteria for participation at the North American Grip Sport Championship. Since the criteria was first developed in 2012, the results of dozens of grip sport contests have been entered into the Top 100 database, and weaknesses were identified. (The old qualifications list can be found here: 

The following is a list of the main changes that have been made to the criteria and the reason why they were changed:

 

·         The qualification standards for some of the lower weight classes have been lowered. Contest results from the past few years were analyzed and it was concluded that they were too challenging.

·         Some of the less common qualification lifts have been removed. As they are rarely contested, there isn’t a need to keep them.

·         A minimum of three competitors must be in a class in order for the winner to qualify. This is to ensure that the qualification is truly earned. Athletes who do not qualify due to low attendance will still be able to qualify via one of the other Qualification Chances.

·         Additional wording has been added to provide clarification, as some of the text could be interpreted in different ways.

The new qualifications take effect immediately. However, any competitor that had already qualified for the 2016 NAGS Championship via the previous criteria remains qualified.

Qualification Chance 1:

During the current NAGS season, athletes who:

•   Finish in the top third of their weight class in a NAGS-sanctioned contest.
•   Finish in the top third of overall standings in a NAGS-sanctioned contest.

 

There must be a minimum of three competitors in a weight class in order for someone to qualify.

The number of qualified competitors will be rounded down where required.

Example:

If there is 1 competitor in a class, no one qualifies;

If there are 2 competitors in a class, no one qualifies;

If there are 3 competitors in a class, the winner qualifies;

If there are 4 competitors in a class, the winner qualifies;

If there are 5 competitors in a class, the winner qualifies;

If there are 6 competitors in a class, the top 2 qualify;

If there are 7 competitors in a class, the top 2 qualify;

If there are 8 competitors in a class, the top 2 qualify;

If there are 9 competitors in a class, the top 3 qualify;

If there are 10 competitors in a class, the top 3 qualify;

In the case of multi-venue contests, qualifications are calculated based on the entire field of competitors (not just the competitors at a given venue).

“Season” is defined as the time between NAGS Championships. The 2015-16 season began on June 7th, 2015 and concludes with the 2016 NAGS Championship on June 4th, 2016.


 

Qualification Chance 2:

Athletes can also qualify for Nationals by completing any three of the following feats during the current NAGS season, either in NAGS-sanctioned contests or through video submission (with proof of filming date).

Gripper Close (parallel or 20-mm Block Set):
59k: 115lbs, 66k: 120lbs, 74k: 130lbs, 83k: 140lbs, 93k: 150lbs, 105k: 150lbs, 120k: 155lbs, 120+k: 155lbs Gripper Close (parallel or 20-mm Block Set)


Euro Two Hands Pinch:
59k: 140lbs, 66k: 155lbs, 74k: 165lbs:, 83k: 180lbs, 93k: 195lbs, 105k: 205lbs, 120k: 215lbs, 120+: 220lbs

Flask Two Hands Pinch:
59k: 140lbs, 66k: 155lbs, 74k: 165lbs:, 83k: 180lbs, 93k: 195lbs, 105k: 205lbs, 120k: 215lbs, 120+: 220lbs

IronMind Axle Deadlift:
59k: 230lbs, 66k: 250lbs, 74k: 270lbs:, 83k: 300lbs, 93k: 330lbs, 105k: 350lbs, 120k: 370lbs, 120+: 380lbs

2″ FBBC
Vertical Bar:
59k: 170lbs, 66k: 190lbs, 74k: 200lbs:, 83k: 210lbs, 93k: 220lbs, 105k: 230lbs, 120k: 240lbs, 120+: 250lbs

Euro One Hand Pinch:
59k: 60lbs, 66k: 65lbs, 74k: 70lbs:, 83k: 75lbs, 93k: 80lbs, 105k: 85lbs, 120k: 90lbs, 120+: 95lbs


Flask One Hand Pinch:
59k: 60lbs, 66k: 65lbs, 74k: 70lbs:, 83k: 75lbs, 93k: 80lbs, 105k: 85lbs, 120k: 90lbs, 120+: 95lbs

One Handed IronMind Axle Deadlift:
59k: 115lbs, 66k: 125lbs, 74k: 135lbs:, 83k: 150lbs, 93k: 165lbs, 105k: 175lbs, 120k: 185lbs, 120+: 190lbs

Plate Pinching (One Hand):
59k: 2-25's, 66k: 2-25's, 74k: 2-35's, 83k: 2-35's, 93k: 2-35's, 105k: 2-35's, 120k: 2-45's, 120+: 2-45's

Hub lift (plate):
59k: 35lbs, 66k: 35lbs, 74k: 35lbs, 83k: 35lbs, 93k: 45lbs, 105k: 45lbs, 120k: 45lbs, 120k+: 45lbs

Rolling Thunder:
59k: 125lbs, 66k: 140lbs, 74k: 150lbs, 83k: 160lbs, 93k: 170lbs, 105k: 180lbs, 120k: 190lbs, 120+: 200lbs

2.5” Crusher:
59k: 115lbs, 66k: 125lbs, 74k: 135lbs, 83k: 150lbs, 93k: 165lbs, 105k: 175lbs, 120k: 180lbs, 120+: 185lbs

Front lift with a coin to 18” platform. Handle must be at least 31”.
59k: 6lb, 66k: 6lb, 74k: 6lb, 83k: 8lb, 93k: 8lb, 105k: 8lb, 120k: 8lb, 120+: 10lb

Face lever. Handle must be at least 31” and the lift must be reasonably strict.
59k: 8lbs, 66k: 10lbs, 74k: 10lbs:, 83k: 12lbs, 93k: 12lbs, 105k: 16lbs, 120k: 16lbs, 120+: 16lbs

Block Weights:
59k: 35-lb Hex/Blob, 66k: 37.5lb Hex/Blob, 74k: 40-lb Hex/Blob, 83k: 42.5-lb Hex/Blob, 93k: 45-lb Hex/Blob, 105k: 47.5-lb Hex/Blob, 120k: 50-lb Hex/Blob, 120+: 55-lb Hex/Blob + 5 lbs

Qualification Chance 3:

Complete any of the following Certifications during the current NAGS season:

•   Certify for IronMind Captain of Crush (#3 or #3.5)
•   Certify for IronMind Red Nail Roster
•   Certify as Gripboard Mash Monster 1 or higher

Qualification Chance 4:

Athletes who, during the current NAGS season, in NAGS-sanctioned contests:

Total Two-Handed Elite in their weight class (three-lift total for max gripper, axle, 2HP):

120k - 840
120k - 800
105k - 770
93k - 730
83k - 690
74k - 640
66k - 585
59k - 530

Total One-Handed Elite in their weight class (three-lift total for max gripper, 1-Handed axle, 1HP):


120k+ - 507
120k - 487
105k - 472
93k - 452
83k - 432
74k - 407
66k - 380
59k – 352

The numbers for the three lifts do not need to be done at the same contest. They can be taken from different contests, but must all be done within the current season.

As the NAGS Committee will not necessarily be actively this, it is the competitor’s responsibility to alert member of the Committee when elite status is achieved.

Notes:

Once you have qualified for and competed in the NAGS Championship you will automatically be qualified for the following year.

Female competitors do not need to qualify for the NAGS Championship. Qualification criteria may eventually be established if the pool of female competitors significantly increases.

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I want to thank Eric Roussin for spear-heading this project, and all the other NAGS reps who helped work it to completion.  Thanks all!

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Hmmm so the 83k one handed axle went up and the 83k hub went down?

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Correct. Though most changes involved lowering requirements, a few were raised. All adjustments were informed by the data included in the Top 100 database on the NAGS site (www.gripsport.org).

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I like it.  I really appreciate the work that went into this.

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Thanks for putting in the work to improve the way we handle the championship. 

In terms of qualifications, does it not seem a bit unfair to change the requirements 1 month out from the competition? I would think that it would make more sense to either A.) Allow competitors to be grandfathered in on the old requirements if they meet them, or B.) Have the new requirements be effective after NAGS 2016.

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Anyone who has qualified under the previous qualifications is qualified for the 2016 NAGS Championship. The majority of qualification lifts have been made easier, though there are some exceptions. One of the hopes is that it would allow more lower weight competitors to attend this year's event.

If anyone feels they could have qualified under the old qualifications, but cannot under the new ones, please contact me and we can see what can be done. But I would be surprised if this was the case.

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On 5/5/2016 at 7:54 AM, Squeezus said:

Thanks for putting in the work to improve the way we handle the championship. 

In terms of qualifications, does it not seem a bit unfair to change the requirements 1 month out from the competition? I would think that it would make more sense to either A.) Allow competitors to be grandfathered in on the old requirements if they meet them, or B.) Have the new requirements be effective after NAGS 2016.

It was probably a bad time to release this.  We simply did it, because we worked on it now and got it done.  No other reason.  Sometimes, you just need toget the work done when you have time, and we all seemed to have time the last 3 weeks, to focus on something.

As a co-promoter of the NAGS event, I'd be happy with an athlete using either list, and then requiring the new list for next year's NAGS.

I know my intention was NEVER to make the overall process of qualifying harder.  I, personally, didn't even realize things went up, like @Jared Goguen mentioned.

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This updated list will defiantly help with ironing out some goals. I knew I wouldn't make it this year unless I drop to 83K lol. Being 120K+ kinda sucks because my strength isn't there for any of those qualifying lifts. Even if I won a contest, I still would be able to compete with people in my class or 1 or 2 classes below. Got lots of work to do. Thanks for all the hard work fellas.

 

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11 minutes ago, KapMan said:

This updated list will defiantly help with ironing out some goals. I knew I wouldn't make it this year unless I drop to 83K lol. Being 120K+ kinda sucks because my strength isn't there for any of those qualifying lifts. Even if I won a contest, I still would be able to compete with people in my class or 1 or 2 classes below. Got lots of work to do. Thanks for all the hard work fellas.

 

Definitely beneficial to cut the weight, both for grip sport and overall health.  So glad I did this in 2013.

 

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My gains are too great right now to justify a cut. Some how some way I'm leaning out everywhere else but my gut. When I shot up to 300 lbs my lifts shot up significantly as well. Honestly the gut is my only gripe, though admittedly I need to get back into improving my conditioning. Summer is a perfect time to really hit that aspect hard here in NC because the humidity is so crappy it makes you have to work harder. I look forward to sharing my results.

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Guys, I'm new on the board, so I understand my opinion isn't likely held in high esteem at the moment, but I just want some clarity on the weight classifications for "elite" status.  I'll preface with the fact that on the basis of the "Qualification Chance 2" category, I can perform enough lifts to qualify, so that in mind, I'm not taking issue with ability to classify.  What is difficult is this:

If you go to the NAGS site and pull the top lifts in the 2-handed euro, the DO axle and the card-set gripper (not sure if that is the right one or not), say you were #5, globally, in all those events, you wouldn't classify as "elite" in the 120kg+ category - you'd be about 20 lbs shy.  If you were 3rd in the world at all 3, you'd barely qualify.  I'm having trouble reconciling that.  If you look at the euro and gripper, there is no indication whatsoever that there is transfer-over based on weight, because, again, look at the top lifts...and even peruse on down.  I'll give on the axle, and can see some justification there for the weight tie-in, but even still, I know a ton of guys that weigh around 90kg and pull over 300kg.

And look at very respected lifts...say COC#3 (~150lbs), DO Axle (~420lbs), Euro (~240 lbs): You still don't make it to 840.

I guess to sum it up, I don't think the weight classifications are necessarily linearly correlated, so some people may be held to unnecessarily high standards - it puts "elite" status way out of reach.  This isn't math class, and everything can't be over-scrutinized, but take a guy like Gil who has a killer grip, and I really respect, who I outweigh by easily a hundred pounds and consider: how does my weight help me on the euro or gripper against Gil.  What's more, how does my weight help on the axle when capability to deadlift isn't in question as Gil pulls let's say 240kg off the floor, and I pull 300kg and we're talking a DO pull in the 190kg range, give or take?  Maybe a bit...ok...but to where my grouping needs to outperform by 110lbs or 150lbs, overall, depending on what Gil happens to weigh today (sorry I don't know). I lift with multiple guys that pull 400+ kg off the floor, and it isn't even close for us on the axle - I'm leaps and bounds ahead.

Food for thought, guys.  Gil, sorry for singling you out - we just happen to be close on some lifts.

All this said, I look forward to competing with all of you soon, officially!

@Squeezus@Jedd Johnson

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I agree that the 120+kg elite totals are likely too high. To be honest, we didn't revise these totals when we updated the qualification list, but we probably should.

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On 5/13/2016 at 1:00 PM, Bryan Hunsaker said:

Guys, I'm new on the board, so I understand my opinion isn't likely held in high esteem at the moment, but I just want some clarity on the weight classifications for "elite" status.  I'll preface with the fact that on the basis of the "Qualification Chance 2" category, I can perform enough lifts to qualify, so that in mind, I'm not taking issue with ability to classify.  What is difficult is this:

If you go to the NAGS site and pull the top lifts in the 2-handed euro, the DO axle and the card-set gripper (not sure if that is the right one or not), say you were #5, globally, in all those events, you wouldn't classify as "elite" in the 120kg+ category - you'd be about 20 lbs shy.  If you were 3rd in the world at all 3, you'd barely qualify.  I'm having trouble reconciling that.  If you look at the euro and gripper, there is no indication whatsoever that there is transfer-over based on weight, because, again, look at the top lifts...and even peruse on down.  I'll give on the axle, and can see some justification there for the weight tie-in, but even still, I know a ton of guys that weigh around 90kg and pull over 300kg.

And look at very respected lifts...say COC#3 (~150lbs), DO Axle (~420lbs), Euro (~240 lbs): You still don't make it to 840.

I guess to sum it up, I don't think the weight classifications are necessarily linearly correlated, so some people may be held to unnecessarily high standards - it puts "elite" status way out of reach.  This isn't math class, and everything can't be over-scrutinized, but take a guy like Gil who has a killer grip, and I really respect, who I outweigh by easily a hundred pounds and consider: how does my weight help me on the euro or gripper against Gil.  What's more, how does my weight help on the axle when capability to deadlift isn't in question as Gil pulls let's say 240kg off the floor, and I pull 300kg and we're talking a DO pull in the 190kg range, give or take?  Maybe a bit...ok...but to where my grouping needs to outperform by 110lbs or 150lbs, overall, depending on what Gil happens to weigh today (sorry I don't know). I lift with multiple guys that pull 400+ kg off the floor, and it isn't even close for us on the axle - I'm leaps and bounds ahead.

Food for thought, guys.  Gil, sorry for singling you out - we just happen to be close on some lifts.

All this said, I look forward to competing with all of you soon, officially!

@Squeezus@Jedd Johnson

 

2 hours ago, Eric Roussin said:

I agree that the 120+kg elite totals are likely too high. To be honest, we didn't revise these totals when we updated the qualification list, but we probably should.



I'm not positive about the details on how the elite totals were created, but I made a Wilks and Reverse Wilks Calculator that I'm hosting on my website:

http://www.barrelstrengthsystems.com/resources/

Wilks has a good balance on emphasis between overall strength and power-to-weight ratio, so as not to be too unfair to the extra small or extra large fellows. If we could find a Wilks number that works well for everyone, that would be a very simple way to be fair about it, I think. Then they could just input their body weight and find out what weight they have to lift to be elite.

 

Edit: Fixed link.

Edited by Squeezus
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Records in the 120k and 120+kg classes are not as high as they could (yet) be because most athletic people of that size are into other sports.

I dare say the majority of people on the NAGS lists in the 120k and above classes could perform at a very similar standard in a leaner [and healthier] state (and thus in a lower weight class).

Most will however notice it becomes much harder to retain overall grip strength when you reach a very lean state.

I agree that using the Wilk's formula would be a good idea for 'elite' recognition across weight classes.

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That looks really interesting, @Squeezus - thank you for sharing and pulling together the algorithm into XLS format - very cool! Being ridiculously tall, and heavy (though not for my height), I'm definitely in favor of something that better accounts for leverages and goes beyond a simple xBODYWEIGHT calc to assess the value of a lift.

@Mikael Siversson There's always someone out there, lurking, that is bigger, faster and stronger.  That said, I've personally watched 3 of probably the top 10 (arguably) strongest guys in the US try some decent weights on VBAR, CRUSHER, FLASK and my DB, and not do as well as you'd think.  Some of the guys on the Board are monsters at grip, and would put athletes from a variety of disciplines in their place.  Athleticism doesn't always translate to lifting or grip (especially grip).  I played American football in college, and some of the best guys on the field were only mediocre in the weight room.  The inverse was often true, as well.  I guess bottom-line for me is that while there is validity to your point, and there are some talented people out there that could transition over, there is a lot of talent already deeply entrenched in grip sport that is very impressive and accomplished.

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My answer was more a reflection of the rarity of competitors with an athletic build in the heavy weight classes. The standard would no doubt rise in the heavy classes with the addition of lean, juiced up competitors. Nothing I would look forward to but there are plenty of larger-sized people with a muscular build that would raise the standard significantly. I know of large bodybuilders and truck drivers with no lifting background lifting the inch first try without too much strain (eg witnessed by Arne Persson, co-founder of the LGC competition). I even think Arne posted a video on the GB of the truck driver guy. The older truck driver guy complained it was heavy! He had no idea what a feat most consider this to be.

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Ever since I got into Grip over a decade ago - people have been talking about "well when such and such a group starts doing this - everything is going to change".  Except that it really hasn't if you take out fat bar and huge handed individuals.  Generally speaking big guys are stronger than smaller guys but it's not nearly as simple as that obviously when you look at the Top Lists.  Most 120+ guys are "fat" by the standards associated with the lighter classes and while leaner lifters might not lift as much in gross terms - they probably would "per weight class"..

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@Bryan Hunsaker, I'm right there with you. I have always felt that body weight was a bad way to categorize grip sport, but have always been out-voted.  I actually used to run contests with hand size divisions.  

The Elite numbers were produced based off the starting point of 800lbs total of gripper, 2hp, and axle in 2010, by me.  

It stayed there for a couple of years, then, I want to say it was extrapolated to the other weight classes when they were instituted, and I recall the Wilks formula being used to figure them out. Bent Barbe and Chris Rice, I believe, spearheaded that.

Looks like it needs work, though, based on this feedback.  I'm sure we can hammer this out, but it's most likely not going to be done until after Nationals.

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I'll also throw out there that my numbers have actually gone up on grippers and axle since I lost weight. Grip isn't powerlifting or strongman.  The biggest factors are from the elbow down.

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Not in the 2HP though Jedd. Your best comp result is in the 120k+ (followed by 120k) in spite of several additional years of training at a lighter bodyweight. Same with me as I am yet, after several years at 74k, to match my best 2HP at 83k.

Losing body fat reduces the skin surface area you can apply in the pinch. In the axle and grippers I don't think you will see any loss of strength until you are quite lean. Try 93k and get back to us for a report.

Many would probably also disagree with you regarding the axle. Large hands will not get a heavy axle going but large body size and the commonly associated body strength will. With strong individuals you often see them performing a quick pull only to struggle mightily with the lockout as the grip strength is not on par with the pulling power. In other words large body size is advantageous in the axle as long as we are talking about muscle.

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At the end of the day nothing will change. Heavy competitors will generally prefer hand size divisions and lighter competitors will argue for weight class divisions. No one wants to look weak.

 

 

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2 hours ago, Mikael Siversson said:

Not in the 2HP though Jedd. Your best comp result is in the 120k+ (followed by 120k) in spite of several additional years of training at a lighter bodyweight. Same with me as I am yet, after several years at 74k, to match my best 2HP at 83k.

I labeled the lifts grippers and axle.

Losing body fat reduces the skin surface area you can apply in the pinch. In the axle and grippers I don't think you will see any loss of strength until you are quite lean. Try 93k and get back to us for a report.

I'm not arguing about this with you. I'm sharing a bit of history with a new member.

Many would probably also disagree with you regarding the axle. Large hands will not get a heavy axle going but large body size and the commonly associated body strength will. With strong individuals you often see them performing a quick pull only to struggle mightily with the lockout as the grip strength is not on par with the pulling power. In other words large body size is advantageous in the axle as long as we are talking about muscle.

 

 

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On ‎5‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 1:00 PM, Bryan Hunsaker said:

If you go to the NAGS site and pull the top lifts in the 2-handed euro, the DO axle and the card-set gripper (not sure if that is the right one or not), say you were #5, globally, in all those events, you wouldn't classify as "elite" in the 120kg+ category - you'd be about 20 lbs shy.  If you were 3rd in the world at all 3, you'd barely qualify.  I'm having trouble reconciling that. 

I've been fairly vocal about this as well. I always made peace that "Elite" is meant to set apart very strong individuals who are well-rounded and literally at the top of their class--Not just in the top 5... at the top.  The only thing that bugged me was that when the lighter class totals were set, I held all three world records and still didn't make the total that was decided.  But, admittedly axle is not a phenomenal lift for me.  My axle record was competitive but short-lived and someone like Conner (I believe that is his name) came along and showed what is really possible.  And, at this point, it's entirely my fault that I didn't make 66kg Elite.  I botched my axle attempts the last time I completed at that weight, which I recounted here.    

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