Olga Yaremenka sets new world record with 190 snatches using the 24kg kettlebell. Can you guess what t-shirt she is wearing?

Check out JD and James competing for the first time... but keep in mind, learning to lift kbs properly does NOT mean you have to step on the platform too. You're welcome to learn to use them for fitness!

Beginning tomorrow February 7th, the IC will now hold supervised kettlebell practice sessions every Tuesday and Thursday between 5:30-6:15pm. Open to all levels (beginners and children 10yrs. and older are welcome)!

Congratulations to every lifter who participated in our in-house kettlebell competition! The best part of this event was seeing each one of you put 100% of yourselves on the platform.  Thank you for giving us your ALL!  Despite this being a practice meet (no rank or prize money on the line), many new personal records were set. It was an honor to witness.

We were also fortunate to have Jorge Gonzales fly here all the way from Hawaii to compete!

Thank you Kenny and Brittany for all of your great help throughout the day… and HUGE thank you to our wonderful volunteers: Karen Dutina, Steven Bard, Sara MacDonald, and Kirk Pelarde for their superior judging and efficient meet administration.

The women of the Chinese National Team are the best at what they do. Since 2000, they have held 14 world records in 6 different weight divisions.

First off, congratulations to all competitors for stepping up to the challenge:

Jeremy, Cathryn, Roman, Stacey S., Lisa M, Brian, Eduardo, Newton, Elliot, Amy Ng, Amy Suits, James, Wendy, Tracy, Earl, Chris, Sayaka, Nate, Jill, Doug, Matt, Jen C., Jim, Catha, Sherry, Dado, Adena, and Seth.

Secondly, congratulations to Newton and Eduardo for winning the event!

There were so many amazing and hilarious moments from today that we thought some highlights were in order:

The set-up: enormous gratitude for each person who helped carry thousands of pounds of plates outside, set-up tables, buckets, stations, etc.  This event would not have been possible without 20 volunteers.  Steve threatening to confiscate Gretchen and Sally’s phones (no texting allowed to competitors) was priceless.

Judges: you guys are the heroes of this event.  Thanks to you, the teams not only felt safe, but motivated.  You guys never left their side.  When upset, you were the first ones stepping up to advocate.  Love y’all, especially for breaking the rules and cheering your teams on — that’s what the IC is all about!

Keep Hope Alive: the controversy caused by Sherry during lap 1 of the running.  Based on her Battle Zone experience, winning often involves cutting corners whenever possible.  Since Steve only stated that the runners “go around the building and through the chain link driveway,” her decision to cut the grass at the Central Ave. corner was a brilliant score to her fellow BZ’ers but a horrifying one to those unaccustomed to — as BZ Champ, Matt Cord put it — “the most juvenile and yet most fun” style of training at the IC.  Seth, you have a great future ahead of you in BZ.

The rowing was exactly what you all expected — hard!  Great to see the Mecklers’ parents cheering on Brian throughout the entire 1000 meters with adorable Tia in tow.  Special shout-out to Jeremy, Tracy, and Stacy for the late start on the ergs.  You guys have heart!

Know Your Weight: by far the most stressful event for the judges and the trainers of the IC… I (Maya) was no help in making a decision about whether an extra lap was allowed to retrieve the plates if there were none available to carry.  Some competitors, like Jill, were so ethical that they waited for plates to arrive since Steve said the plates had to be “carried in one direction only.”  Chaos ensued!  After some passionate advocacy from Doug and Julie (you guys rock for getting it right!), Steve finally got it straightened out.  I, on the other hand, still don’t have a clue what happened, but I secretly loved every minute of it.  So inspiring to see the competitors carrying a thousand pounds of weight — especially, Catha, Sayaka, Kathryn, Lisa, Wendy, Jill, Amy Ng, and Adena.  You ladies are no joke!

Balls to the Walls:  Wow, a game changer.  Doable for some, impossible for others. Speed and accuracy were the keys to this one for sure.

Lord of the Rings: I have never heard Portuguese spoken in quite the way Eduardo and Newton did while completing this event (something about killing lions with their bare hands).  After the top three teams were called out by their judges for dragging their knees, it was a fair event down the track on the power wheel.  Everyone was so close at that point…

The apples: well, I will let Sir Newton tell that story.

What are some of your highlights?
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Huge thank you to the IC staff and volunteers for setting up, reffing, and breaking down this special event…

Nicki: the Queen of IC Event Planning, your ideas and attention to detail are second to none because no one understands this community like you do.  JD, Kenny, Jaimie, Brittany, Surya, Dave H., Alice L, Gregg, Karen K., Julie B., Steph P., Lisa B, Mike L., Carrie, Ross, Dave C., Leslie M., Melissa F., Sally, Melissa S., Kim C., Sam, Sarah Mac, and Gretchen: thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your tremendous contribution to the success of this day!

One more GIGANTIC thank you is in order to Lieutenant Dave Harris for being a real-life hero at the IC. We are appreciative beyond words for all of your hard work today.