I would like to take this time to pay tribute to my loyal donors and sponsors that helped make WABDL possible.  These are the people that believed in me and believed in the future of WABDL.  I was the first powerlifting promoter to hold a meet in a hotel and without these loyal donors and sponsors, this would not have been able to take place. My first powerlifting meet was held at the Kuilima Del Webb Hotel (Now Turtle Bay Hilton) – 46 years ago. My game plan was to have first class meets in hotel settings, where you could weigh-in, eat dinner, sleep, eat breakfast and lift all in the same place.  So finally, when it became clear that I could do a better job without other federations, I started WABDL.  Without these loyal donors and sponsors, WABDL would not have made it to present.

First, I would like to recognize my top 2 sponsors, Brian & Denise Welker, who have sponsored me for over 25 years and Reid and Kelly Solar who have been sponsoring me for over 15 years.  Both of these sponsors have generously donated not only monetarily but also took the time to assist with numerous meets and whatever needed to be done to keep our federation going.   Brian and Reid are also Hall of Fame lifters, who are both World Class Judges.

Secondly, Coby Washburn & David R. Smith are also appreciated donors who have given generously in the past 12-15 years, and competed in at least 17 WABDL Worlds as well as numerous other meets.  They are both Hall of Fame caliber lifters and their generous support has not been overlooked.

Lastly, I want to recognize and pay tribute to the following donors that have donated liberally; Amy Rudder, Jill Porter, Mike Neely, Dan and Suzette Swift from Usana, Ken Anderson and Kevin Pitman of Anderson Powerlifting, Matt Ogurek, Odd Haugen, Pete Alaniz of Titan Support Systems, Ivanko Barbell, Pete Lemm of California Sports Spotlight, Shawn Madere of GLC Direct, Inzer Advanced Designs, Pat Holloway, Rick Brewer of House of Pain, Mike Lambert of Powerlifting USA Magazine, Brent Mikesell of Iron Gladiator, USP Labs, Giorgio Usai of Forza Strength Systems,  Mike Frizell, Tom and Eddie Morgan, Wess Kampen of Monster Muscle, Camellia Luprete, Grace Cloninger Gary & Elma Thomas and Teresa Plowman.  Thank you for your generous support and believing in WABDL.

In closing, WABDL has become a family of close-knit lifters and there’s no federation like it.  I would like to thank all my generous donors for all their dedication and love for this federation.  You are what help make WABDL a family.

 

All my best,

Gus