Weightlifters and strength athletes are a diverse bunch. Their vocations span the gamut from laborer to lawyer, civil servant to engineer. And the members of Lost Battalion Hall Weightlifting are no exception. Our team depicts a cross section of New York City. One of our members, Howard Menkes, has a very important vocation: helping seriously ill children. He is the founder of the Cheer Foundation, a charity that produces educational and entertainment video tapes for hospitalized children. Since 1993 his foundation has donated tapes to every hospital in the United States and Canada with Pediatric Care.

Unbeknownst to many, Howard is also a nationally-ranked strongman. Howard's immense power is demonstrated by some of his incredible feats of strength:
●  Flipping a 517 Lbs. truck tire 41 times
●  Pulling the 1180 lb anchor chain 25 feet
●  Combo farmer walk/chain drag 1000 lbs 100 feet

But the countless children Howard has helped will tell you that Howard's heart is bigger than his muscles. You can visit his charity's website at  www.cheer.org.

Howard and friends entertaining sick children.

We'll have more about Howard's strongman feats in the future. Howard exemplifies how LBH weightlifters contribute to our community. Thanks Howard!
 

Howard pulling a 1180 lb anchor chain.

I'd like to express my appreciation to all Lost Battalion Hall (LBH) Weightlifting Team members and extend a special thank you to the members of the LBH Masters Team who represented the LBH of New York City Department of Parks at the 2005 American Masters Championships.

Simon Rudle & Joel Jessenowski display their American Masters Medals

Congratulations to you all for winning the Outstanding Team Award at the 2005 American Masters Championship in Woonsocket, Rhode Island Nov 4-6, 2005. LBH was represented by a mighty contingent of eight lifters spread among a field of nearly 140 worthy competitors from throughout the USA. LBH lifters were in the hunt for a victory and each went home wearing a medal around their neck. Four gold, two silver and two bronze medals were captured for a total aggregate nearly double that of any other team.

Winning the Outstanding Team Award was due to the efforts of all our lifter's, but without the efforts of Naum Kilmansky keeping the spirit of LBH Weightlifting alive in Brighton Beach, the team victory would not have been possible. The LBH members who presently reside in the Coney Island area are Arnold Khalfin, Vladimir Heifitz and Simon Rudle.

The LBH master weightlifters would like to express their heart-felt appreciation to all those who make Masters Weightlifting possible in America: In particular, Meet Director Bob Sweeney, Les Simonton (without whom such competitions would not run as smoothly as they do) and  Masters Weightlifting Chairman Howard Cohen.

Vladimir Heifitz prepares to jerk.
 

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Arnold Khalfin with his picture perfect split clean.

Simon Rudle hoists this heavy jerk to lock in a medal.

Chris Smith Awarded Lost Battalion Hall's 2006 Dave Sheppard Award

Chris Smith proudly displays the Dave Sheppard Award presented
to him by Lost Battalion Hall Weightlifting's Coach Joe Triolo.

Chris Smith was presented with the first 2006 Dave Sheppard Award for encouraging and fostering the sport of Olympic Lifting among the local youth. Chris has single-handedly brought many young people into the sport over the last several years. He is the popular and energetic coach and founder of the Metropolitan Barbell Club.