James Smyntek Virginia Strength and Power HoF inductee 2022
By Strength and Power Hall of Fame and Glen Shelton
Jim and I trained together from about 1971 until Jim’s death in 1972. So unfortunately, Jim is not here to write this bio so I am honored to do it so many years later (2017). I would like to thank Jim’s brothers Len and Bob for their significant contribution and cooperation and the many former training partners of Jim who also contributed.
Jim began his athletic career as a wrestler in high school. About 1966 or 67 Jim got started in Olympic lifting after observing some lifters at Fort Bragg NC. Jim entered his first contest in September 1967, The Open North Carolina Championships. Jim did 180-170-235 placing 4th in the 148lb class. Jim attended Pembroke State College for one year before transferring to UNC Greensboro. He graduated in May 1971 and he started teaching 6thgrade art in Arlington County (VA) schools.
When I met Jim he had already had his photo published in the April 1970 issue of Strength and Health magazine and he was becoming a national level competitor. I first met Jim while training at Henderson Hall, a small marine post in Arlington Va. In those days all you needed to get on post was your AAU card. The first thing I noticed was Jim’s build. He was about 5’7 and looked like a body builder about 6 weeks out from a contest. Yeah, he was one of those guys. However, once he started warming up it was clear he was a lifter. By this time Jim was in the 181lb class and his lifting reflected the increase in bodyweight.
Also, in 1970 Jim and several of his family members attended the 1970 World Weightlifting Championships in Columbus Ohio. This world’s is famous for the first 500lb clean and jerk performed by Russia’s Vasily Aleexev
I think I remember Jim so well not so much for his outstanding lifting but his helpful attitude and lifting manners. I was 18 when I met Jim and he was always encouraging us wanabees. To my surprise he asked if I would like to train with him on Saturdays. Naturally, I accepted and we trained every other Saturday (due to my work schedule) until his death. If you’re a lifter you will understand this. It was one of the most exciting times of my life. We were training to be the best.
Jim was a outgoing guy who reflected well on the sport especially in those days. He was neat and organized. Once warm-ups started Jim was all business without taking the fun out of training. Jim was strong in all the lifts with the snatch giving him the most problem. Jim would pull the bar into the power position with a lot of back and then drive the hips forward arching the bar overhead. In August of 1972 I saw Jim Press 315, almost snatch 280 and clean and jerk 365. At the 1972 seniors in Detroit Jim did 297-253-352 for a 904 total. Not his best lifting, but not bad for his first seniors. Jim also lifted in the 1972 junior nationals in York Pa. If I remember correctly Jim and Al Stark had car trouble on the way to York arrived late and Jim had to lift in the 198lb class. Jim knew most of the top lifters in the country and most lifted for York in those days. World Champion Bob Bednarski knew Jim pretty well.
I lifted with Jim in most of the local meets. I remember the May 1972 clean and jerk contest in Culpeper Va. Dave Traylor was the meet director. Jim was taking it easy and won the meet with a 350C&J on his first attempt. It was funny. The reporter who was covering the event was a novice sports reporter who knew nothing about weightlifting. With six big forty fives on the bar plus the small plates he thought it was over a thousand pounds! When Jim did the 350 he forgot to press the button to take the photo. Jim was very gracious and did the lift again for the camera.
Jim and the rest of his training partners had a lot of fun back in the days of the press, wooden platforms and steel plates. Jim, thank you for the memories. Your friend Glen Shelton.
Other meets Jim Lifted in.
1968 165 lb class 3rd Place Four States (NC SC, VA, TN) Tournament
1968 165 lb class 3rd Place Winston Salem Open
1968 168 lb class 3rd Place Capital District Meet
1968 181 lb class 2nd Place Blueridge Invitational
1969 181 lb class 2nd Place Winston Salem Open
1970 181 lb class 1st Place Capital District Meet
1970 181 lb class 3rd Place Chesapeake Bay Invitational
1970 181/Hwt class Best Lifter Capital District Meet
1971&72 Chesapeake bay invitational in Hampton Va.
Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Mon Feb 21 01:04:47 UTC 2022 | Last Updated: Sun Dec 24 23:38:35 UTC 2023