John Callis Virginia State Strength and Power HoF inductee 2020

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

John started his lifting career in 1958. His Minister Robert “Bob” Neal lifted in his one car garage near his church. John observed Bob lifting and started training with Bob. John would ride his bicycle 12 miles each way to train. Once John began competing he joined the LPWC and trained with Bob Crist.

 

Major Competitions

 

3^rd 198lb class 1958 State Championships

3^rd 198lb class 1959 State Championships

5^th 198lb class 1959 Norfolk Open

2^nd Heavyweight 1960 State Championships

3^rd Heavyweight 1961 Capitol District Weightlifting Meet

4^th Heavyweight 1962 State Championships

2^nd heavyweight 1964 Chesapeake Bay Invitational

2^nd heavyweight 1965 State Championships

2^nd heavyweight 1967 Colonial Olympic Weightlifting Meet (tied for first)

1^st heavyweight 1967 State Championships

1^st heavyweight 1968 State Championships

1^st heavyweight 1968 Four State Weightlifting meet (NC, SC, VA, Tenn)

1^st Heavyweight 1968 Blue Ridge Invitational 

1^st Heavyweight 1968 All South Weightlifting Meet

1^st Superheavyweight 1969 State Championships

1^st Superheavyweight 1969 Capitol District Weightlifting Meet

1^st Superheavyweight 1969 D.C. Invitational

1^st Superheavyweight 1970 State Championships

1^st Superheavyweight 1970 Chesapeake Bay Open

1^st Superheavyweight 1970 All South Weightlifting Championships

2^nd Superheavyweight 1970 Jr. Nationals

1^st Superheavyweight 1970 Region 2 Olympic Championships

1^st Superheavyweight 1971 Chesapeake Bay Open

1^st Superheavyweight 1971 State Championships

1^st Superheavyweight 1971 Fort Belvoir Tri Association Weightlifting Championships

1^st Superheavyweight 1972 Chesapeake Bay Invitational

1^st Superheavyweight 1972 State Championships

2^nd Superheavyweight 1972 Veracruz Invitational

 

John became the first Virginia lifter to C&J 400lbs during an exhibition at the 1971 Virginia Junior Olympic meet. (Culpeper Va. 4/10/1971. Dave Traylor meet director). 

John was ranked 4^th of top 10 Superheavyweights in the US in 1972 by the AAU.

John held all State Records (Press, Snatch, C&J, Total) for Superheavyweight from 1969 until at least 1980, perhaps longer. 

John still holds the State record in the Press at 172.5kg

John held all State Records for Teenage Heavyweight in 1962

John obtained his National Weightlifting Referee’s Card in 1966

John was the second Virginia lifter to receive an AAU Master ranking* in 1971.

John received an Elite Lifter Pin from the FHI (IWF) in 1971 for obtaining a Master ranking .

John pressed 400lbs from the rack and push pressed 440lbs as reported in Strength and Health Magazine. 

John’s best unofficial lifts (3 lifts) total 1,150lbs. (410 press, 320snatch, 420 C&J)

John is one of few Virginia lifters to have been selected for international competition. Veracruz Invitational 1972.

John was the first Director of the AAU National Classification program.

During Johns teenage competitive years most contest including State Championships did not have a teenage division.

John has coached lifters and other athletes since 1972 to the present.

 

Since his retirement from competition in 1972 John has continued to support weightlifting as a coach and official. John has supported weightlifting for 63 years and continues to do so today.

 

• In the late 1960’s the AAU National Classification Program ranked lifters as follows based on the lifter achieving a certain total for their weight class. Class 4, Class 3, Class 2, Class 1 and Master. Master was the elite level award.
• LPWC. Lower Peninsula Weightlifting Club

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Fri Dec 04 23:59:41 UTC 2020 | Last Updated: Thu Dec 21 22:35:09 UTC 2023