Topic: Raise the Qual Tot's AND Increse the Number of Lifters

[Dave Chiu]

... to optimize entries, reducing the risk to the host and raising opportunities for athletes.

How??

A dual-path to ensure each wt. class has 10-20 participants, instead of the current system of guesswork that regularly results in feast or famine

Make higher A-standard QTs (automatic qualifier), based on the average 5th place finishers from the best 3 of the last 4 yrs. This will cancel the current embarrassing array of QTs.

Hence the QT for male supers goes UP from 315 to 330 for Nats, and from 293 to 316 for Am Op -- giving a more realistic sense of medal range, and a better reflection on the best of each wt class.

For the rest, the Meet Director is given the flexibility to invite the next best applicants, enough to fill a 10 lifter A session.  B and even C sessions could combine classes to lift before the A sessions of the day, thus minimizing the number of lifters following themselves.

The non-automatic qualifiers would have to send in their entries by 6 wks before the meet, so that when the A-standard rosters were set, they could be notified of acceptance in time to arrange travel etc.

This way every nat'l meet would be guaranteed 150+ entrants (w/o the uncertainty of having to manage a possible too many), and more folks would get the motivating experience to prompt further improvement.

The Arnold has blazed the trail for more interesting big meets -- will the "official" ones follow??

[Mike Wittmer]

... to optimize entries, reducing the risk to the host and raising opportunities for athletes.

How??

A dual-path to ensure each wt. class has 10-20 participants, instead of the current system of guesswork that regularly results in feast or famine

Make higher A-standard QTs (automatic qualifier), based on the average 5th place finishers from the best 3 of the last 4 yrs. This will cancel the current embarrassing array of QTs.

Hence the QT for male supers goes UP from 315 to 330 for Nats, and from 293 to 316 for Am Op -- giving a more realistic sense of medal range, and a better reflection on the best of each wt class.

For the rest, the Meet Director is given the flexibility to invite the next best applicants, enough to fill a 10 lifter A session.  B and even C sessions could combine classes to lift before the A sessions of the day, thus minimizing the number of lifters following themselves.

The non-automatic qualifiers would have to send in their entries by 6 wks before the meet, so that when the A-standard rosters were set, they could be notified of acceptance in time to arrange travel etc.

This way every nat'l meet would be guaranteed 150+ entrants (w/o the uncertainty of having to manage a possible too many), and more folks would get the motivating experience to prompt further improvement.

The Arnold has blazed the trail for more interesting big meets -- will the "official" ones follow??

I'll bring this up to the BOD and competition committee.  It might be workable with some alterations.

[Dave Chiu]

Thanks Mike!!

Sometimes I wonder if I'm being too presumptuous w/ the way I explain, but it looks like I made enough of a point.

Adjustments* are not a problem (any real improvement can always be improved), as long as the three main failings of the current system are addressed:

Failing to give the best lifters in each class more credit w/ a higher standard reflecting the best.

Failing to give Meet Directors a way to manage their numbers so there's a sensible schedule, predictable income.

Failing to provide optimal opportunity for up and comers to get a motivating taste of the big stage.

This all comes from my early yrs when I got to go to the Olympic Festival, but was not able to make the Nats QT

For the last few years of the "old" wt classes, the hvywts (110k) saw an average of LESS THAN THREE lifters at Nats.  We had a great hvywt then in Rich Schutz, but it was a real shame to see him on a podium w/ only one other lifter.

* I see the real points of interest in specifying how the A sessions would be set w/ A-standard lifters and next-best applicants (that's where those w/ a big stake in team points may be most resistant to change).

There would have to be a way of "tie-breaking" btwn next-best lifters of different classes, but the main emphasis on only those meeting the A-standard being guaranteed a spot, can settle most concerns about MD judgment calls.

I like the way the Arnold combines sessions based on Total, rather than just wt class -- that would be a way to have B sessions early in the morning, where the variations in the depth of classes would be consolidated.

[Mike Wittmer]

I like the way the Arnold combines sessions based on Total, rather than just wt class -- that would be a way to have B sessions early in the morning, where the variations in the depth of classes would be consolidated.

That would only happen in B sessions.

One problem, because on a lack of depth in the heavier classes, we could conceivably have a 105+ with a 250 total lifting and a 85 with a 260 may not.  That would not seem right.  Regardless, I think you will see more lifters in the future.

[Dave Chiu]

The big thing is that

THINGS CHANGE.

The item about Chad V missing this yr is an example of how personal reasons and national events can combine.

Give the Meet Director the flexibility to invite enough lifters to make $$-sense.

Give the best lifters the respect of BOTH a more significant QT, and a full session.

Give more up-and-comers a chance to get a toe in the door.

Not all classes have to get the same numbers under this plan, so measures to avoid unfairness would be a priority, while still keeping in mind that making a great meet is the desired sum.