2024 United States Grip Sport National Championship

[WillGuiliani]

1 Event Overview 

 

West Coast Arm Sports presents:
The 2024 United States Grip Sport Championship, a Grip Sport International contest

 

The contest will consist of five (5) events:

 

● Ironmind Silver Bullet
● Ironmind Apollon’s Axle Deadlift
● Arm Assassin 2x5” Saxon Deadlift
● FBBC 2.5” Crusher - 6” Lift
● Ironmind Little Big Horn - 6” Lift

 

On April 6th, we will find out who has “The Best Grip in the US”

 

Contest Date: April 6th, 2024 

Entry Fees: $60 before Feb 29th, 2024. $70 in March. $80 in April.

Divisions: 

● Men: 83kg, 105kg, 120kg, 120+
● Men’s Masters 50+ Years: Open 
● Women: U84kg/84+kg

 

Register: https://westcoastarmsports.com/upcoming-contests

 

Divisions not officially offered in the contest will still be tracked for GSI records purposes (www.gripsport.org). 

Results will be available on www.WestCoastArmSports.com

 

2 Awards and Prizes

 

Custom Trophies will be awarded to the OVERALL 1st, 2nd, 3rd place Male and Female lifter.

Additionally, Medals will be provided for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each weight class contested.

Cash Prizes for breaking & holding weight class and overall world records in each event contested.

 

3 Scoring 

 

Scoring: Reverse Strongman Scoring will be used for the contest

 

If there are 10 athletes, then it would be 1 point for 1st and 10 points for 10th.

All the points are added up at the end. The person with the lowest score is the winner. If the

points are equal at the end of the contest, then the placings are found by using the count-back

method. This is giving the position to the person with the most wins. If it is still a tie,

then you look at the most amount of 2nd places, and then 3rd, 4th, and so forth till there is a

winner. If two athletes are level in say 4th place, then they would receive 4.5pts each (4 plus 5

points are added together and halved). If, after using the count-back method there is still a tie, the person with the lower bodyweight wins.

 

4 General Rules 

 

Weigh-ins can be done between 8 am and 930 am the day of the contest at Grinder Gym by WCAS or an approved member of Grinder Gym Staff. Weigh-ins must be done on the scale provided at Grinder Gym.

 

For one-handed events, the competitor may switch hands at any time, as desired. 

 

Each competitor is allowed three (3) trips to the platform for official attempts on the Ironmind Silver Bullet, and four (4) trips to the platform for official attempts for the remaining lifts. On each trip, the competitor has 30 seconds from the time they touch the implement, with intent to make an official attempt, to complete the attempt. There will be a 30-second time limit for equipment prep time (i.e. adding or removing chalk to one’s liking), chalking of the hands, situating boxes to stand on, etc. Chalk can be removed using a dry cloth, paper towels, or equivalent, provided by the venue promoter. The lifter may switch hands on each attempt and may switch back and forth between left and right hands during the time limit of their attempts as well. 

 

The amount of weight attempted must rise or stay the same for each subsequent trip to the platform. In other words, if a lifter attempts 150lbs on the Little Big Horn and misses, they may not take a lighter weight on the next attempt. They must try the same weight or go up, or they can end their attempts for that event. 

 

Warm-up equipment will be provided. Warm-up attempts can be made on the contest apparatus prior to official attempts, but must be CLEARLY declared as such to the Referee and Scorekeeper. However, once a competitor has begun his official attempts, they may no longer do warm-up lifts on the contest apparatus. The promoter may refuse warmups on the contest apparatus if time is becoming an issue and assuming a suitable warm up station has been provided. 

 

Individual athletes will have a minimum of two (2) minutes between their trips to the platform, with the maximum at the discretion of the promoter. 

 

The weight stack should not be tilted (to the front or to the side) so that the weight plates are not parallel to the floor prior to the beginning of the lift. Tilting may take place in order to secure the proper grip, but level must be attained before the lift begins. 

 

5 Judging

 

Judging will be done by 3 judges. I will try to secure a non-lifting judge from each grip region, a West Coast judge, a Central judge and an East Coast judge. The Head Judge for the first event will be randomly assigned and then rotate each event. So if the Central Judge is picked to be the Head Judge of the first event, the West Coast Judge will be the Head Judge of the 2nd event, and the East Coast Judge will be the Head Judge of the 3rd event and so on. If regional Judges cannot be secured, it's okay, just know I tried. 

 

6 Challenges

 

Each lifter will be allowed two Judges Challenge by video review, one for the Saxon Bar and one for the Axle Bar event. Overturning judges' decisions will require overwhelming and undeniable evidence that the initial call was wrong. A simple majority of judges agreeing the call was incorrect will suffice, (⅔ judges must agree). A lifter must clearly state “I officially challenge the judge’s decision” and must throw his/her challenge flag (provided) to indicate that they are challenging the judge’s call prior to the next lifter stepping on the platform. A lifter may challenge the judges decision on their own lift OR a competitor's lift. An example of the latter: Odd Haugen might want to challenge a judge’s decision on Will Guiliani’s Saxon Bar lift because it beats Odd’s lift, but Odd thinks the judges got it wrong. If Odd was wrong and it turns out Will’s lift was, in fact, a good lift, Odd loses his challenge for that event. However, if Odd was right, he retains his challenge. Video evidence must be provided by the lifter, it is not the promoter’s responsibility to provide a recording of everyone's lifts.

 

7 Personal Equipment Specifications 

 

Clothing: Singlets are encouraged for ease of judging, but not required. Clothing will consist of pants, shorts or a skirt for the lower half. For a top, a t-shirt, sweatshirts or long-sleeved shirts may be worn after showing that no illegal bracing is worn on the wrists or elbows. Gloves are not allowed to be worn when lifting. No inappropriate writings or pictures are allowed. Watches or event wristbands are permitted. Singlets are encouraged for ease of judging. 

Belts: Lifting belts are allowed and may be of rubber, nylon, or leather. 

Wrist Wraps: Wrist wraps/bands of any kind are not allowed. 

Elbow Sleeves: Non-adjustable elbow sleeves are allowed. 

Knee Sleeves: Knee sleeves and/or braces are allowed. 

Wraps/Bandages: Contingent upon prior approval by the Referee medical tape may be applied to bodily injuries in a fashion that would not grant the lifter an undue advantage. Finger Tape/Bandages: In the case of an open wound on the gripper setting hand, tape and/or bandaging will be allowed for the setting hand on the gripper event, ONLY. 

 

Chalking: Only chalk is allowed on the lifter’s hands. No foreign substances may be applied to the equipment. Liquid chalk is not permitted. This takes into account all substances other than chalk, or a sterile agent which may be used periodically in the cleaning of the equipment, or platform, which would be permitted as necessary. 

 

8 Event-Specific Rules 

8-1 Ironmind Silver Bullet

8-2 Ironmind Apollon’s Axle Deadlift

8-3 AASS 2x5” Saxon Deadlift

8-4 FBBC 2.5” Crusher - 6” Lift

8-5 Ironmind Little Big Horn - 6” Lift

 

8-1 Ironmind Silver Bullet Rules: 

Source: https://www.ironmind.com/certification/coc-silver-bullet/rules-and-world-records/

Any genuine IronMind Captains of Crush® gripper may be used; there are 11 choices

from the Guide to the #4.

 

For a Ironmind World Record attempt, the gripper must be new, in an unbroken package

and opened on the spot. If you would like to have a World Record Silver Bullet attempt, please bring the gripper you would like to use in an unopened package.
 

Ordinary chalk (magnesium carbonate) may be used on the gripping hand, but nothing

else is permitted (tacky, for example, is specifically disallowed).

 

A genuine IronMind CoC Silver Bullet must be used, with 2.5 kg of weight hanging from

the silver bullet strap and this weight may take the form of either an IWF or IPF

certified/recognized (calibrated) plate or some other weight that has been demonstrated to

be no less than 2.50 kg on a certified or otherwise demonstrably accurate scale.

 

The CoC Silver Bullet is inserted by the competitor no deeper than up to the top edge of

the clear band, so that the script Captains of Crush® is legible, and so that all four fingers

are in contact with the CoC gripper handle (dropping the pinky completely off the end of the

gripper handle is expressly prohibited). The CoC Silver Bullet must be aligned with the

handles of the gripper, which cannot overlap with the CoC Silver Bullet in what we call a

three-point position.

 

The Silver Bullet Challenge shall be conducted in three (3) rounds format. The athlete

has 30 seconds from the time their name is called to record a valid time in each round. The

athlete cannot change gripper within a round, i.e. if he/she attempts a #3 in a round, he/she

cannot switch to a #2.5 in the same round; but can of course, attempt the #2.5 or any other

gripper in the next round. Best recorded time on THE HIGHEST NUMBER gripper will be

final result. An athlete satisfied with their first or second attempt can pass on further

attempts.

 

Using one or two hands, the competitor closes the CoC (whatever level the athlete

chooses) in his/her own time so that the two handles hold the CoC Silver Bullet in

place and once this position has been achieved, and only one hand is holding the

gripper shut, the referee gives the signal to start the clock. If the competitor fails to get

a secure hold on the CoC Silver Bullet, he is allowed to reset it.

 

The hand must be held with the gripper approximately vertical.

 

Time stops when the Silver Bullet drops from the handles or when the referee

observes any opening of the gripper handle for any reason whatsoever.

 

8-2 IronMind® Apollon’s Axle Double Overhand Deadlift
Source: https://www.ironmind.com/certification/apollons-axle/rules-and-world-records/

A genuine IronMind Apollon's Axle must be used, along with full-sized plates

(discs) that are the standard IWF/IPF diameter (450 mm).

 

The plates must either be calibrated or have been weighed on a proven scale.

 

No grip aids other than chalk allowed. Ordinary chalk (magnesium carbonate) may

be used on the lifter's hands, but nothing else is permitted (tacky, liquid chalk, and

wrist wraps, for example, are specifically disallowed).

 

The Axle must be gripped with the knuckles on both hands facing forward (away

from the body) with a double overhand grip.

 

Thumbless and hook grips are prohibited.

 

Varying degrees of strictness have been witnessed, regarding “Lockout” and “Control” in Axle Bar Deadlift events. Following is the standard that will be looked for when judging a legal lift at this competition.

 

The knees, hips and shoulders must be locked out. 

 

The judge will be looking for straightened legs, the hips in a neutral, locked position and the shoulders not hunched forward. This will require contact with the thighs/waist, as there’s just no way around it.

 

Finally, there must be a solid pause at the top, during this pause the lifter should be looking at the head judge awaiting the down signal, showing no downward movement of the Axle Bar.

 

The Axle Bar must be returned to the floor with the hands in contact with the device after the judge says “good,” “down,” or something similar. 

 

If it seems like the implement slipped out of the hands as perceived by the judge, it will be a no lift, and the athlete may try again, if he/she has time left in the trip to the platform. 

 

Immediately after completing their attempt, the lifter must go to the scorekeeper and give them their next planned attempt.

 

8-3 2x5” Saxon Bar Deadlift

 

A 2x5” Saxon Bar must be used, along with full-sized plates (discs) that are the standard IWF/IPF diameter (450 mm) for records to be recognized

 

The plates must either be calibrated or have been weighed on a proven scale for

records to be recognized.

 

No grip aids other than chalk allowed. Ordinary chalk (magnesium carbonate) may

be used on the lifter's hands, but nothing else is permitted (tacky, for example, is

specifically disallowed).

 

The Saxon Bar must be gripped with the knuckles on both hands facing forward

(away from the body) with a double overhand grip.

 

Varying degrees of strictness have been witnessed, regarding “Lockout” and “Control” in Saxon Bar Deadlift events. Following is the standard that will be looked for when judging a legal lift at this competition.

 

The knees, hips and shoulders must be locked out. 

 

The judge will be looking for straightened legs, the hips in a neutral, locked position and the shoulders not hunched forward. This will require contact with the thighs/waist, as there’s just no way around it.

 

Finally, there must be a solid pause at the top, during this pause the lifter should be looking at the head judge awaiting the down signal, showing no downward movement of the Saxon Bar.

 

The Saxon Bar must be returned to the floor with the hands in contact with the device after the judge says “good,” “down,” or something similar. 

 

If it seems like the implement slipped out of the hands as perceived by the judge, it will be a no lift, and the athlete may try again, if he/she has time left in the trip to the platform. 

 

Immediately after completing their attempt, the lifter must go to the scorekeeper and give them their next planned attempt.

 

8-4 2.5” Crusher - 6” Lift 

 

An authentic FBBC Crusher will be used for the event and must be attached to a loading pin

using a carabiner.

 

The lift height for the event will be a 6” lift.

 

Only the handle is to be grasped with the fingers on one side, and the thumb opposing on the

other side. A thumbless grip is not permitted, nor is a hook grip (i.e., index finger wrapping

thumb tip).

 

The lifter grabs the Crusher in approximately the center of the handle. There must be a visible

gap between the first pinky knuckle (where the finger meets the palm) and the side of the handle.

 

The handle is to be lifted level with a minimal amount of tilt. The athlete’s hand must not come

into contact with the metal from of the crusher nor shall the crusher be allowed to be braced on

any part of the athlete. A simple check is that no part of the painted portion on the crusher can

come into contact with any part of the lifter.

 

The lifter will lift the Crusher until the crossguard touches the crossbar. There is no referee’s signal. You do not have to be erect upon completion. You must lower the weight under control (hand grasping it all the way down). If the lifter misses contact with the crossbar, the lifter will still need to have the top of the crossguard cross the plane of the crossbar. Referee’s discretion will be used to judge whether the correct height was attained.

Immediately after completing their attempt, the lifter must go to the scorekeeper and give them their next planned attempt.

 

8-5 Little Big Horn - 6” Lift

 

NOTICE: The following rules differ from the IronMind Rules.

 

The lifter grips the Little Big Horn with one hand (no part of the hand can grasp below the rim). The lifter will lift the Little Big Horn until the knockbar comes in contact with the crossbar for a 6” lifting height. If the lifter misses contact with the crossbar, the lifter will still need to have the top of the knockbar cross the plane of the crossbar. Referee’s discretion will be used to judge whether the correct height was attained. Video review may also be used.

(In the 2023 King Kong, there was a ruling clarification added in where the knock bar/cross guard had to be level when it hit the crossbar height gauge. This was because it is possible to make contact between the knock bar and cross bar,  with the knock bar tilted, and thus a true 6" lift wouldn't need to be reached, although contact was made.) This rule will be followed at Nationals as well.

 

There is no referee’s signal. You do not have to be erect upon completion. You must lower the weight under control (hand grasping it all the way down). 

 

The off-hand may not be placed in contact with the device during any part of the attempt. During the lift it can be posted on the hip or leg or left out to the side. 

 

Immediately after completing their attempt, the lifter must go to the scorekeeper and give them their next planned attempt.

 

9 Social Media 

 

Posting pictures, videos and even streaming during the competition is perfectly fine, since this is a single venue competition. In your posts, please tag @westcoastarmsports

 

10 Appreciation and Gratitude 

 

I, Will Guiliani, Founder of West Coast Arm Sports, wish to thank Jedd Johnson, Eric Roussin and Andrew Pantke for the document structure. Thank you Dave DePew and Grinder Gym for hosting the event. Also, I wish to thank all of the helpers, sponsors and athletes who will help to make this competition a tremendous success that runs smoothly from beginning to end by assisting with loading weights, keeping score, judging and other unnamed tasks that will surely take place. You are appreciated. As always, I welcome any questions you may have. Please direct your questions to me at WestCoastArmSports@gmail.com or through Instagram DMs as soon as possible.

 

(Some of the above is Subject to Change)

[DAVE101]

Registered 

(now to qualify)

[Kluv#0]

Registered and Hotel/Flight Booked. I started my grip career in earnest at Southern California Expo grip contest and will conclude at my bucket list - US Nationals in Southern California. PM me if you interested in getting together for a dinner Friday night 4/5 or Saturday Night 4/6. Thanks.

[WillGuiliani]

Due to strong lifter feedback, the silver bullet event will move from the 1st event to the 5th event. 

[WillGuiliani]

Due to underwhelming out-of-state participation, regional judges will no longer be necessary.

[Jedd Johnson]

2 hours ago, WillGuiliani said:

Due to strong lifter feedback, the silver bullet event will move from the 1st event to the 5th event. 

Who in their right mind wants to do that event last and get their best performance on it?

[Vinnie]

2 hours ago, Jedd Johnson said:

Who in their right mind wants to do that event last and get their best performance on it?

I've asked this at other comps that did this - but I think the answer is that most people don't care as much about grippers as the other events, so they want the other ones fresher.  I would rather do SB (and grippers generally) first no matter what, but it seems not to be done everywhere.

[DAVE101]

I would also like grippers first. Being a dynamic exercise (and the only one at that) means it should be done when freshest. It's also the most technique oriented from these events, and grippers have the highest potential for injury. 

I do find this decision a rather strange one. If people don't care about it, just take it out. If someone's trying to be fresher for world record attempts on other lifts, it doesn't make sense to have everyone else suffer.

[JasonD]

6 hours ago, Jedd Johnson said:

Who in their right mind wants to do that event last and get their best performance on it?

Insanity! As you told me, years ago, grippers first. I’ve never felt my thickbar or pinch suffer doing them after grippers, but grippers/silver bullet after….way down.

[Jedd Johnson]

I would be interested in seeing who offered this feedback for the SB to be put last.

What change is next? We need to use that double end joint rig instead of a carbiner on the Little Big Horn? 

[lder]

While I offered no feedback on the order of events at this contest, I am hosting a contest where the silver bullet was placed behind an Axle and Saxon lift.  

Contests allow lifters the chance to formally and public show their strength in certain lifts and/or set new PRs.  As a promotor, at my contests, I am excited when that happens but am really looking for the lifter(s) with the strongest grip that day.  There will always be a last event in each contest.  

I would comment, not argue, that the silver bullet being last is safer that it being the first event.  A lifter might not set a new record, but all lifters are in the situation.

[WillGuiliani]

2 hours ago, Jedd Johnson said:

I would be interested in seeing who offered this feedback for the SB to be put last.

What change is next? We need to use that double end joint rig instead of a carbiner on the Little Big Horn? 

No, those “joint end rigs” were used at the Arnold for the “Grandfather Clock” because they have a “no spinning” rule. 
They will NOT be used at Nationals. 
 

I won’t name names, but over half of the registered lifters asked to have the silver bullet last. 
 

I had the silver bullet first at California’s Strongest Hands and that too was met with groaning and complaints. 
 

I don’t have a lot of sign ups, and if changing the order will entice even one more lifter to sign up, it’s worth it. 

funny that it took some “controversy” to get some engagement on this post. 

[Jedd Johnson]

Silver Bullet has never once affected my ability on a later lift. Nor has max Grippers.  

If the Gripper/Bullet event tires your hands out, then that's a reflection on your GPP and training approaching/programming.

I personally don't care if Silver Bullet is last, and it won't affect me that much in my performance because of how I've been training it.

[Vinnie]

Out of curiosity, what is the RGC rating of the COC 4 you are using for SB?

[Jedd Johnson]

2 minutes ago, WillGuiliani said:

No, those “joint end rigs” were used at the Arnold for the “Grandfather Clock” because they have a “no spinning” rule. 
They will NOT be used at Nationals. 
 

I won’t name names, but over half of the registered lifters asked to have the silver bullet last. 
 

I had the silver bullet first at California’s Strongest Hands and that too was met with groaning and complaints. 
 

I don’t have a lot of sign ups, and if changing the order will entice even one more lifter to sign up, it’s worth it. 

funny that it took some “controversy” to get some engagement on this post. 

I anticipated this getting changed, so I have been training the Silver Bullet in a fatigued state anyway.  

[Jedd Johnson]

Just now, Vinnie said:

Out of curiosity, what is the RGC rating of the COC 4 you are using for SB?

224. He posted everything on IG

[Vinnie]

32 minutes ago, Jedd Johnson said:

224. He posted everything on IG

Whoa.  Props to whoever can get a hold on THAT at the end of a comp!

[WillGuiliani]

21 minutes ago, Vinnie said:

Whoa.  Props to whoever can get a hold on THAT at the end of a comp!

Alexey gave it a squeeze as the first event for Californias strongest hands. I think he got around 3 or 4 seconds

[liftyzig]

Huge difference in silver bullet at the start vs at the end of a comp.

 

Edit: commented before I read the rest of the comments here, didn't intend to beat a dead horse

Edited March 5 by liftyzig

[WillGuiliani]

AHHHH! More Changes: 

Change 1: Weight Classes

There will now be 3 Men's weight classes, instead of 4. 

LW - 83
MW - 105
HW - 105+

There will now be 1 Women's class instead of 2.

Change 2: Additional Event

There will now be a medley (not like the arnold) to finish the contest. 

More details about this event might be announced and might be a surprise. 
In the comments, please tell me about your favorite medleys.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions. 

ALSO NATIONALS SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE: CLICK HERE
(they'll take about a week to print and ship, so if you want them for the contest, order soon!)

[DAVE101]

2 hours ago, WillGuiliani said:

In the comments, please tell me about your favorite medleys.

Chris Rice's Medleys are legendary. They have many events with a longer time and some bodyweight feats (IE pinch and V-bar pull-up). Athletes are actually rewarded for having some conditioning, grip endurance, or relative strength.

The 2021 US Nationals had the best one I've seen. You get rewarded for how far you take the implement. If you can't manage a full lift, you can still get some points for hopping it over the start line. 

Medley's I am not a fan of, are very difficult ones where everything requires an absurd level of strength (or skill training in a niche field). This is less appealing for the lower weight classes where zero'ing out is entirely possible and there's no room demonstrating endurance if you're not strong enough.

Edited March 16 by DAVE101

[Kluv#0]

Very nice T-shirt Design! I will definitely order a couple. Great idea of having a medley to conclude a big grip event. IMO, have a Keypinch and Wrist lift in the medley along with the usual lifts that are in medleys (Blobs, Thickbar, Plate Pinch, Vertical, etc). 

[Kluv#0]

I located (After 17 months) in my office this past week, new GHP 7 hand gripper, still in original package. If an individual is attending US Nationals and wants to buy for $20 let me know (PM) and I will bring it with me to contest. 

[Vinnie]

14 minutes ago, Kluv#0 said:

I located (After 17 months) in my office this past week, new GHP 7 hand gripper, still in original package. If an individual is attending US Nationals and wants to buy for $20 let me know (PM) and I will bring it with me to contest. 

Well I won't be there, but PM sent re: mailing it if there are no takers at the comp lol.  Kind of you to offer, since of course you can get a lot more on eBay!

[Jedd Johnson]

Best Medley format is the Canary Islands Medley.  Each competitor brings or chooses his/her own implement. Make it as hard as they want, but they have to lift theirs first before lifting all the others.  Since there's only about a half dozen people signed up, it could even be 2-3 items per person, but, again, they have to lift all theirs before attempting the others.  Winner is the one who lifts theirs plus as many of the others.