2024 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (CURL)
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WORLD CHAMPIONS (2008-present)
(NOTE) If there is no open champion in a weight class, I take the top curler and recognize them instead.
WOMEN (97) CLASS
2024 (13.0 KG) (1) B. Jensen (USA-DE)
2023 (16.0 KG) (1) A. Bushee (USA-NC)
2022 (25.0 KG) (2) K. Poyner (USA-VA)
2020 (38.5 KG) (5) A. Christiansen (USA-NC)
2019 (31.0 KG) (4) A. Christiansen (USA-NC)
2018 (32.0 KG) (3) A. Christiansen (USA-NC)
2017 (30.0 KG) (2) A. Christiansen (USA-NC)
2015 (20.0 KG) (1) K. McKenna (CAN)
2014 (17.5 KG) (1) S. Shakir (India)
2013 (24.0 KG) (1) R. Luedeker (USA)
2009 (17.5 KG) (1) B. Algarin
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WOMEN (105) CLASS
2024 (40.5 KG) (1) B. Williams (USA-TX)
2023 (20.0 KG) (1) G. Bushee (USA-NC)
2020 (28.0 KG) (2) T. Barney (USA-CT)
2019 (29.0 KG) (1) T. Barney (USA-CT)
2017 (30.0 KG) (1) K. McKenna (CAN)
2016 (30.0 KG) (1) A. Christiansen (USA-NC)
2015 (27.5 KG) (1) K. Poyner (USA-VA)
2010 (20.5 KG) (1) S. Marcellino
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WOMEN (114) CLASS
2024 (30.0 Kg) (2) A. Freeman (USA-NC)
2023 (25.0 KG) (1) V. Giorgi (USA-MD)
2022 (32.5 KG) (1) A. Freeman (USA-NC)
2021 (21.0 KG) (2) J. Sheakly (USA-PA)
2020 (20.5 KG) (1) J. Sheaky (USA-PA)
2019 (37.0 KG) (2) K. Brown (USA-VA)
2018 (27.5 KG) (1) J. Waldron (USA-KY)
2017 (30.0 KG) (3) N. Beasley (USA-VA)
2016 (32.5 KG) (2) N. Beasley (USA-VA)
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WOMEN (123) CLASS
2024 (37.0 KG) (1) K. Self (USA-VA)
2023 (35.0 KG) (6) K. Brown (USA-VA)
2022 (36.5 KG) (5) K. Brown (USA-VA)
2021 (36.0 KG) (4) K. Brown (USA-VA)
2020 (38.0 KG) (3) K. Brown (USA-VA)
2019 (28.5 KG) (1) J. Zak (USA-NC)
2018 (35.0 KG) (4) N. Beasley (USA-VA)
2017 (30.0 KG) (1) A. Brown (USA-NC)
2016 (25.5 KG) (2) D. Jaffe (USA-OH)
2015 (25.0 KG) (1) D. Jaffe (USA-OH)
2014 (35.0 KG) (1) O.Dombrovska (UKR)
2013 (25.0 KG) (1) L. Herbert (USA)
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WOMEN (132) CLASS
2024 (30.5 KG) (1) A. Wood (USA-NC)
2023 (36.5 KG) (1) Reagan Charlton (USA-NC)
2022 (32.0 KG) (1) M. Olivares (USA-MD)
2021 (37.5 KG) (1) C. Reynolds (USA-VA)
2020 (33.5 KG) (1) L. DeAngalo (USA-CT)
2019 (37.5 KG) (5) N. Beasley (USA-VA)
2018 (35.0 KG) (1) K. Reynolds (USA-VA)
2017 (35.5 KG) (1) S.Thoummarath (Canada)
2016 (34.0 KG) (1) A. Paulovitz (USA-NC)
2015 (35.0 KG) (1) N. Beasley (USA-VA)
2014 (26.0 KG) (1) T. Kenzulak (USA)
2013 (32.5 KG) (1) M. Hobson (USA)
2012 (30.0 KG) (1) B. Algarin (USA)
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WOMEN (148) CLASS
2024 (41.5 KG) (1) L. Lee (USA-VA)
2023 (34.0 KG) (1) M. Gaylord (USA-NY)
2022 (54.5 KG) (4) T. Floyd (USA-VA)
2021 (50.0 KG) (3) T. Floyd (USA-VA)
2020 (45.5 KG) (2) T. Floyd (USA-VA)
2019 (41.0 KG) (1) T. Floyd (USA-VA)
2018 (42.5 KG) (1) K. Brown (USA-VA)
2017 (32.0 KG) (2) R. Harrington (USA-KY)
2016 (35.0 KG) (1) R. Harrington (USA-KY)
2015 (32.5 KG) (1) D. Smith (CAN)
2014 (40.0 KG) (2) S. LaForge (USA)
2013 (28.5 KG) (1) S. Gilott (USA)
2012 (37.5 KG) (1) S. Laforge (USA)
2010 (28.0 KG) (1) K. Duncan (USA)
2009 (30.0 KG) (1) L. Delay (USA)
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WOMEN (165) CLASS
2024 (55.5 KG) (2) A. Kajencki (USA-MD)
2023 (53.0 KG) (1) A. Kajencki (USA-MD)
2022 (42.5 KG) (1) S. Bates (USA-NC)
2021 (41.0 KG) (1) S. Lowery (USA-NC)
2020 (31.0 KG) (1) J. Ross (USA-NC)
2018 (35.0 KG) (1) E. Gory (Ireland)
2016 (37.5 KG) (1) B. Rodgers (CAN)
2015 (42.5 KG) (2) B. Algarin (USA-MN)
2014 (40.0 KG) (1) B. Algarin (USA)
2010 (20.5 KG) (1) J. Greenblat (USA)
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WOMEN (181) CLASS
2024 (41.5 KG) (3) M. Grace Taylor (USA-NC)
2023 (46.5 KG) (2) M. Grace Taylor (USA-NC)
2022 (44.5 KG) (1) M. Grace Taylor (USA-NC)
2021 (37.5 KG) (2) M. Espinosa (USA-VA)
2020 (35.5 KG) (1) M. Espinosa (USA-MD)
2019 (40.0 KG) (1) M. Hodge (USA-VA)
2018 (32.5 KG) (1) C. Higgins (Ireland)
2017 (43.0 KG) (1) L. Gervais (Canada)
2016 (35.0 KG) (1) B. Schneider (USA-PA)
2015 (30.0 KG) (1) E. Cooper (USA-NC)
2014 (30.0 KG) (1) M. Wieckowski (USA)
2009 (32.5 KG) (1) V. Snitkovsky (USA)
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WOMEN (198) CLASS
2024 (40.0 KG) (1) M. Berry (USA-NC)
2023 (42.0 KG) (1) G. Knight-Mcneil (USA-NC)
2022 (38.5 KG) (3) M. Espinosa (USA-VA)
2021 (41.0 KG) (1) L. Wright (USA-NC)
2020 (37.0 KG) (2) A. Traver (USA-CT)
2019 (35.5 KG) (1) A. Traver (USA-CT)
2018 (45.5 KG) (1) C. Comly (USA-PA)
2017 (27.5 KG) (1) H. Joseph (USA-NC)
2016 (37.5 KG) (1) C. Dean (USA-PA)
2015 (27.5 KG) (1) S. Flaus (USA-VA)
2009 (32.5 KG) (1) D. Hadley
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WOMEN (SHW)
2024 (36.0 KG) (1) S. Katz (USA-MD)
2023 (30.5 KG) (1) C. Royer (USA-VA)
2022 (44.0 KG) (1) D. Sarafis (USA-NC)
2021 (41.0 KG) (2) D. Sosnick (USA-AZ)
2020 (43.5 KG) (1) K. Bordeau (USA-CT)
2019 (40.5 KG) (1) D Sosnick (USA-AZ)
2018 (36.5 KG) (1) K. Ross (USA-VA)
2017 (41.0 KG) (1) L. Brown (USA-NC)
2016 (35.0 KG) (1) R. Dubbs (USA-PA)
2014 (40.0 KG) (1) S. Seigal (USA)
2010 (28.0 KG) (1) S. Simpson (USA)
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MEN (105) CLASS
2024 (22.0 KG) (2) M. Ruskin (USA-VA)
2023 (20.0 KG) (1) M. Ruskin (USA-VA)
2020 (31.5 KG) (1) M. Cooper (USA-NC)
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MEN (114) CLASS
2023 (22.0 KG) (1) J. Skinner (USA-NC)
2021 (37.0 KG) (2) M. Cooper (USA-NC)
2015 (32.5 KG) (1) J. Ammons (USA-NC)
2014 (42.0 KG) (1) G. Peterson (USA)
2013 (30.0 KG) (1) M. Walker (USA)
2012 (31.0 KG) (1) M. Kahan (USA)
2010 (40.5 KG) (1) R. Marcelnino (USA)
2009 (20.0 KG) (1) R. Cortes (USA)
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MEN (123)
2024 (56.0 KG) (7) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2023 (47.0 KG) (6) J. Ammons (USA-NC)
2022 (48.0 KG) (5) J. Ammons (USA-NC)
2021 (35.5 KG) (1) G. Hanks (USA-NC)
2018 (42.5 KG) (3) J. Ammons (USA-NC)
2016 (40.0 KG) (2) J. Ammons (USA-NC)
2015 (22.5 KG) (1) A. Kutin (USA-NJ)
2014 (49.0 KG) (1) E. Green (USA)
2013 (47.5 KG) (1) E. Green (USA)
2010 (38.0 KG) (1) H. Claypatch (USA)
2009 (42.5 KG) (1) N. Jones (USA)
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MEN (132) CLASS
2024 (55.0 KG) (1) J. Self Jr. (USA-VA)
2023 (58.5 KG) (6) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2022 (59.0 KG) (5) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2021 (49.0 KG) (4) J. Ammons (USA-NC)
2020 (52.5 KG) (1) W. Owens (USA-MD)
2019 (50.0 KG) (3) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2018 (52.5 KG) (2) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2017 (50.0 KG) (1) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2016 (60.0 KG) (2) A. Saretsky (CAN)
2014 (37.5 KG) (2) H. Claypatch (USA)
2013 (27.5 KG) (1) C. Widner (USA)
2010 (40.5 KG) (1) A. Meinhardt
2009 (15.0 KG) (1) N. Paternosteris
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MEN (148) CLASS
2024 (75.0 KG) (1) R. Stephenson (USA-FL)
2023 (58.5 KG) (4) A. Saretsky (CAN)
2022 (63.5 KG) (1) G. Berer (USA-MD)
2021 (62.5 KG) (1) S. Orseno (USA-MA)
2020 (53.0 KG) (4) G. Teeter (USA-PA)
2019 (59.5 KG) (1) A Fiacco (GER)
2018 (64.0 KG) (1) C. McLaughlin (USA-PA)
2017 (65.0 KG) (3) A. Saretsky (CAN)
2016 (42.5 KG) (1) E. Thomas (USA-PA)
2015 (57.5 KG) (1) A. Saretsky (CAN)
2014 (52.5 KG) (1) J. Thomas (USA)
2012 (27.5 KG) (1) T. Metcalf (USA)
2010 (49.0 KG) (1) L. Dallas (USA)
2009 (55.0 KG) (2) J. Tripodi (USA)
2008 (55.0 KG) (1) J. Tripodi (USA)
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MEN (165) CLASS
2024 (72.0 KG) (2) E. Binckley (USA-NC)
2023 (75.0 KG) (1) E. Binckley (USA-NC)
2022 (73.0 KG) (1) M. Gause (USA-VA)
2021 (68.0 KG) (8) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2020 (65.0 KG) (7) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2019 (69.5 KG) (6) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2018 (67.5 KG) (5) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2017 (65.0 KG) (2) J. Freni (USA-MA)
2016 (63.0 KG) (1) J. Freni (USA-MA)
2015 (70.5 KG) (1) M. Casabona (USA-NY)
2014 (52.5 KG) (1) N. Nantambu (USA)
2013 (60.0 KG) (1) E. Schemine (USA)
2012 (67.5 KG) (1) R. Freemman (USA)
2010 (43.0 KG) (1) G. Nabeshima (USA)
2009 (67.5 KG) (1) A. Le Brun (USA)
2008 (47.5 KG) (1) T. Dwiggins (USA)
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MEN (181) CLASS
2024 (82.5 KG) (3) B. Ruskin (USA-MD)
2023 (82.5 KG) (2) B. Ruskin (USA-MD)
2022 (85.5 KG) (1) B. Ruskin (USA-MD)
2021 (73.5 KG) (2) P. Douglas (USA-NE)
2020 (69.5 KG) (1) J. Ness (USA-KY)
2019 (70.5 KG) (1) P. Douglas (USA-NE)
2018 (68.0 KG) (1) K. McMurrin (USA-NC)
2017 (69.5 KG) (4) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2016 (67.5 KG) (3) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2015 (62.5 KG) (1) K. Mullaney (CAN)
2014 (63.0 KG) (1) G. Kessler (USA)
2013 (38.0 KG) (2) M. Kane (USA)
2012 (48.5 KG) (1) M. Kane (USA)
2010 (71.5 KG) (2) M. Wilhelm (USA)
2009 (70.0 KG) (1) M. Wilhelm (USA)
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MEN (198) CLASS
2024 (91.5 KG) (8) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2023 (91.0 KG) (2) R. Jones (USA-VA)
2022 (88.5 KG) (7) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2021 (80.0 KG) (1) R. Jones (USA-VA)
2020 (80.5 KG (5) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2019 (79.5 KG) (4) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2018 (76.0 KG) (1) J. Roland (Nauru)
2017 (79.0 KG) (3) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2016 (74.0 KG) (2) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2015 (70.0 KG) (1) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2014 (70.0 KG) (3) T. Henriques (USA)
2013 (62.5 KG) (1) G. Blieske (CAN)
2012 (65.0 KG) (1) B. Moores (USA)
2010 (63.0 KG) (1) K. Harbaugh (USA)
2009 (72.5 KG) (1) T. Henriques (USA)
2008 (60.0 KG) (1) S. Russell (USA)
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MEN (220)
2024 (91.0 KG) (8) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2023 (91.0 KG) (1) V. Kazeyko (USA-NY)
2022 (88.5 KG) (6) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2021 (84.0 KG) (5) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2020 (75.0 KG) (1) J. Flood (USA-CT)
2019 (86.5 KG) (3) M. Zart (USA-OH)
2018 (67.6 KG) (1) P. Malzels (USA-MD)
2017 (86.5 KG) (2) M. Zart (USA-OH)
2016 (82.5 KG) (1) M. Zart (USA-OH)
2015 (67.5 KG) (2) G. Kessler (USA-VA)
2014 (60.0 KG) (1) T. DiLucente (USA)
2013 (62.5 KG) (1) H. Veckenstedt (CAN)
2012 (77.5 KG) (2) T. Henriques (USA)
2010 (73.0 KG) (1) D. Sergii (UKR)
2009 (72.5 KG) (1) J. Mays
2008 (47.5 KG) (1) T. Adams
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MEN (242)
2024 (98.5 KG) (2) M. Oliver (USA-MD)
2023 (94.0) KG) (7) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2022 (87.5 KG) (1) M. Oliver (USA-NC)
2021 (82.5 KG) (6) J. Cooper (USA-NC)
2020 (71.5 KG) (1) T. Huffman (USA-VA)
2019 (77.5 KG) (4) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2018 (82.0 KG) (3) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2017 (77.5 KG) (2) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2016 (72.5 KG) (1) B. Knox (USA-MD)
2015 (58.0 KG) (1) G. Berry (USA-NC)
2014 (60.0 KG) (1) B. Powell (USA)
2013 (55.5 KG) (1) M. Sullivan (USA)
2012 (75.0 KG) (1) D. Krueger (USA)
2010 (73.0 KG) (1) J. Melnick (USA)
2009 (75.0 KG) (1) J. Franks (USA)
2008 (70.0 KG) (1) C. Mueller (USA)
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MEN (275)
2024 (99.0 KG) (6) G. Karallas (USA-NE)
2023 (97.5 KG) (1) I. Pober (UKR)
2022 (97.0 KG) (4) G. Karallas (USA-IN)
2021 (93.0 KG) (3) G. Karallas (USA-IN)
2020 (91.0 KG) (2) G. Karallas (USA-IN)
2019 (68.6 KG) (1) B. Allen (USA-VA)
2018 (84.0 KG) (1) G. Karallas (USA-IN)
2017 (73.0 KG) (1) P. Bossi (USA-NC)
2016 (65.0 KG) (2) J. Matthew (USA-MI)
2015 (55.0 KG) (1) W. Farrell (USA-OK)
2014 (75.0 KG) (1) D. Daniels (USA)
2013 (70.0 KG) (1) J. Mathias (USA)
2012 (73.5 KG) (1) W. Ogden (USA)
2010 (80.5 KG) (1) C. Bartolic (USA)
2009 (72.5 KG) (1) C. Lyons (USA)
2008 (62.5 KG) (1) R. Classings (USA)
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MEN (308)
2024 (80.0 KG) (3) D. Dixon (USA-VA)
2023 (95.0 KG) (5) G. Karallas (USA-IN)
2022 (81.5 KG) (1) I. Wolf (Canada)
2021 (67.5 KG) (2) B. Schnepf (USA-MD
2020 (68.0 KG) (2) B. Dixon (USA-VA)
2019 (73.0 KG) (1) B. Dixon (USA-VA)
2018 (73.0 KG) (2) P. Russo (USA-CT)
2017 (73.0 KG) (1) P. Russo (CT)
2016 (70.0 KG) (1) L. Bjornbom (SWE)
2015 (67.5 KG) (1) B. Schnepf (USA-MD)
2013 (74.0 KG) (1) C. Tenove (USA)
2012 (77.5 KG) (1) N. Woodard (USA)
2010 (78.0 KG) (1) V. Vincent (USA)
2009 (70.0 KG) (2) R. Classings (USA)
2008 (60.0 KG) (1) T. Brooks
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MEN (SHW)
2024 (93.0 KG) (2) J. Sabol (USA-PA)
2023 (99.0 KG) (1) J. Sabol (USA-PA)
2022 (93.0 KG) (1) W. Lazano (USA-NY)
2021 (69.5 KG) (2) D. Corridean (USA-NC)
2020 (68.5 KG) (1) D. Corridean (USA-NC)
2019 (83.0 KG) (1) W. Lazano (USA-NY)
2018 (75.0 KG) (1) P. Russell (Canada)
2017 (80.0 KG) (1) L. Sandlin (USA-KY)
2016 (68.0 KG) (1) C. Clook (USA-KY)
2015 (47.5 KG) (1) J. Garza (USA-NC)
2013 (75.0 KG) (1) L. Sandlin (USA)
2010 (65.5 KG) (1) T. Brooks (USA)
2009 (65.0 KG) (1) J. Griffen (USA)
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TEAM CHAMPIONS
2024 (5) Gorilla Squad (VA
2023 (4) Gorilla Squad (VA)
2022 (3) Gorilla Squad (VA)
2021 (2) Gorilla Squad (VA)
2020 (2) The Strength Academy (CT)
2019 (1) The Strength Academy (CT)
2018 (1) Fitness Warehouse (NC)
2017 (1) Gorilla Squad (VA)
(2024) WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: In my opinion, the curl is the most interesting portion of the world championships, and the reason is this; in the curl the top lifters show up every year as if to say, "You want my curl title, you're going to have to take it from me!"
We currently have nine lifters with five world titles or more; the question, who could move up the list.
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MOST WORLD TITLES: (5 or more)
(#1) 8x Gary Kessler
(#1) 8x John Cooper
(#1) 8x Bruce Knox
(#4) 7x Gary Teeter
(#4) 6x Krystal Brown
(#4) 6x John Ammons
(#4) 6x Giorgio Karallas
(#7) 5x Ashley Christiansen
(#7) 5x Natasha Beasley
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WOMEN
97 CLASS: As is often the case, the 97 pound class had lifters, but there weren't any who were fourteen and above so there wasn't an open champion. This being the case, the overall world champion at 97 was a youth lifter; Brynn Jensen of Delaware. Great job Brynn.
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105 CLASS: Texas is a big state, but we've never had many world champions from Texas. In 2024 Britania Williams would win her first world title and she's from...Texas
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114 CLASS: Allison Freeman of North Carolina won her first world title in 2022. In 2024 Allison would return to capture her second world title. Allison competed from 114 all the way to 148 this year, you might say she has some Gary Teeter in her.
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123 CLASS: The Woah moment (#1). Krystal Brown is a six-time world champion and she's been on cruise control, BUT this year Krystal had a worthy challenger.
Kerry Self is a legend and a master of the bench press, we quickly learned she's a master of the curl as well.
Kerry opened with 72 pounds, but Krystal quick took the lead with a 74 pound opener. Kerry would curl 76 pounds on her second attempt to take the lead. Krystal would miss her second attempt but returned to curl 76 pounds on her third attempt; enough for a tie. Kerry would answer with 79 pounds on her third attempt which earned Kerry her first world curl title.
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132 CLASS: Currituck high school has probably produced more open world champions than any other high school in America. In 2024 Alexandria Wood of Currituck high school (NC) would take home her first world curl title.
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148 CLASS: Woah moment (#2). Natasha Beasley of Virginia is a five-time world champion, so this looked like another easy class to call. the surprise was another Virginia lifter named Linda Lee.
Natasha opened with 83 pounds to take the lead after the openers. Linda would come back to curl 84 on her second attempt to take the lead and she would follow with 91 pounds on her third attempt which was enough to earn Linda her first world curl title.
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165 CLASS: If you want to be a legend, you have to win multiple world titles. Last year Alexis Kajencki of Maryland won her first world title, in 2024 Alexis returned and dominated with an insane curl of 122 pounds to earn Alexis her second world title. Alexis has the potential to win a lot of world titles, hopefully we see her return and fullfill her potential.
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181 CLASS: Although we had a pair of world champions with five or more world titles, neither was able to win. In fact, nobody had won more than two world titles for the women; that changed when sixteen-year-old Mackenzie stepped on stage. Mackenzie would take home her third consecutive world title at 181!!! Mackenzie is quickly becoming a legend as this teen also holds multiple bench and powerlifting world titles.
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198 CLASS: The 198 class was exciting as we had three-time world champion Mona Espinosa of Virginia chasing her fourth world title and we had rising star Madison Berry of North Carolina trying to win her first.
Madison would open and succeed with an 88-pound curl. Madison would miss her second and third attempt. Mona would curl 78 for an opener, she would follow with 85 on her second and for her third attempt, Mona would call for 90 pounds. In the end, 90 was a little too much and Madison would take home her first world curl title.
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SHW: The SHW class is odd as we have many champions, but only one lifter has ever won the class twice. 2024 was no different as we had another first-time champion. Thumb up to Syndey Katz of Maryland who took home her first world title.
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MEN
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105 CLASS: As with the women, there weren't any lifters in the open 105 class, so the nod goes to the top youth lifter. Who would that be? For the second year in a row, Maximus Ruskin of Virginia would post the top lift at 105. At this rate, Maximus could win post the top curl five years in row and still be too young for the open. Watch out for this young man!!!
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123 CLASS: There is a great challenge ahead, who will be the first lifter to win 10 world titles. Gary Teeter of Pennsylvania is definitely in the mix. Gary didn't hurt his cause in 2024 as Gary would win his seventh world title. The problem, there are three people ahead of Gary, two of the three added a world title in 2024. In short, Gary is in the lead pack, but he's still one step behind the leaders.
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132 CLASS: You can add John Self Junior of Virginia to the list of rising stars as John would take home his first world curl title. John Self senior is a well-known name, but John Self Junior is now making his own name,
148 CLASS: Wow class (#3). Alex Saretsky of Canada only does one thing; he wins!!! Alex is a four-time world champion in the curl. For good measure throw in Willie Trebach of Maryland. Willie is a beast!!! And just when this class can't get any tougher, add in Romairo Stephenson of Florida. This class was a battle for the ages.
Romario opened up with a HUGE 151 pound curl which was enough to earn Romario the world title, but Romario wasn't done. Romario would hit his next two attempts, finishing with an insane 165 pound curl at 148!!!
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165 CLASS: Ethan Binckley of North Carolina graduated from Currituck high school last year and he's the defending 165 world champion. Ethan would have a strong challenger as the legendary John Self senior was in this class; John Self Junior claimed a world title earlier in the day.
Ethan and John both called for 163 for their openers, both succeeded, but John had the lead as the lighter lifter. Ethan would jump to 158 on his second attempt which not only gave him the lead, but the win. Ethan is now the defending 2x world champion at 165!!!
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181 CLASS: I enjoy how the men have each staked out their own weight class, not only to win, but to win year after year. Bryan Ruskin of Virginia has claimed the 181 class and in 2024 Bryan would make it three titles in a row at 181!!!
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198 CLASS: Bruce Knox of Maryland prides himself in doing things his way; trust me on that. Bruce has won 7 world titles ranging from 198 to 242. Bruce was looking towards world title #8.
Not to be overlooked was Ray Jones of Virginia who is a 2x world champion at 198. Ray had a tough day but managed to curl 191 pounds on his final attempt to take second place. Winning the 198 class with a huge curl of 202 was Bruce who is now an 8x world champion. Only three lifters have won eight world titles, NOBODY has ever won nine or more. It's a race to ten and Bruce is one of the favorites.
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220 CLASS: John Cooper of North Carolina is family, so I guess I have to forgive him for skipping last year's world championships. All I could think was, you could be the first one to win 10 world titles and you're taking a year off!!!
Anyway, after a year away, John Cooper returned and EASILY won his eighth world title. John is now in a three-way tie with Bruce Knox and Gary Kessler for first place.
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242 CLASS: To become legendary, one must win a lot of world titles. Michael Oliver of Maryland would curl 217 pounds to dominate the 242 class and earn his second world title. Michael is only twenty-four, so he has the potential to reach 15 world titles, possibly more. Michael is definitely one to watch out for.
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275 CLASS: Giorgio Karallas of New England had very little trouble winning his sixth world title. Giorgia is only thirty-one and he's only two behind the leaders for the most world titles won. I don't think Giorgio will be the first to ten world titles, but with his age I think Giorgia could be the first to fifteen!!!
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308: 2x world champion Baron Dixon is always one of the most popular lifters in 100% RAW. Baron's last 'open' world title was in 2020, in 2024 Baron added world title #3. Great job Baron.
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SHW: The giant has risen. Joseph Sabol has been appearing everywhere recently, and he's been winning everything. In 2023 Jospeh won his first world curl title. In 2024 Joseph returned to add world title number two. I think we can expect to see a LOT of world titles in Joseph's future.
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TEAM DIVISION: In the past we had a powerful Call to Arm's curl team, but while many of us still compete, we gave up on the team competition, because there is no getting around one simple fact. Gorilla Squad is miles ahead of everyone. Gorilla Squad is the 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023 and now 2024 world champions in the curl. Funny, I saw a post where Gorilla Squad claimed to be the four-time world team champions, I think they forgot about 2017. John Shifflett's Gorilla Squad is, actually, the 5x world team champions.
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