Frank Spellman's Titles and Achievements

By Osmo Kiiha

Reprinted with permission of The Iron Master


Frank Spellman:

Olympic Games:  
1948
London, England		 Middleweight Gold Medal
   
World Championships:  
1946
Paris, France		 Middleweight Third Place
1947
Philadelphia, PA		 Middleweight Second Place
   
North American Championships:  
1946
Montreal, Quebec		MiddleweightThird Place
1949
Montreal, Quebec		MiddleweightFirst Place
   
AAU Senior Nationals:  
1946
Detroit, Michigan		MiddleweightFirst Place
1947
Chicago, Illinois		MiddleweightSecond Place
1948
Los Angeles, CA		MiddleweightFirst Place
1949
Cleveland, Ohio		MiddleweightSecond Place
1950
Philadelphia, PA		MiddleweightSecond Place
1951
Los Angeles, CA		MiddleweightThird Place
1952
NYC, NY		LightweightSecond Place
1954
Los Angeles, CA		Light-HeavyweightSecond Place
1961
Santa Monica, CA		MiddleweightFirst Place
   
AAU Jr. Nationals:   
1942
Bristol, CT		MiddleweightFirst Place
  
AAU National Bench Press and Squat Championships:
1954
Oakland, CA             Light-Heavyweight             Bench Press/Third Place
1954
Oakland, CA             Light-Heavyweight             Squat/First Place
      
    USA National Records (AAU)  
    Clean and Press -- Middleweight Class (165) 
      247 lbs.               June 2, 1946
    		Detroit, Michigan
      257 3/4 lbs.         June 2, 1946
    		Detroit, Michigan
      260 lbs.               May 14, 1948
    		Los Angeles, CA
      261 3/4 lbs.         May 13, 1950
    		Philadelphia, PA
       
    Olympic Games Records: 
      
    Clean and Jerk -- Middleweight Class (165)   
      336 1/4 lbs.          August 10, 1948
    		London, England
      
    Total -- Middleweight Class (165)    
      859 � lbs.            August 10, 1948
    		London, England

    Frank Spellman's Contest History (1941-1961)

    January 19, 1941 - Philadelphia Meet: Philadelphia, PA - First Place - 165
    Class - BWT 153
    205 - 180 - 250 = 635

    April 5, 1941 - Jr. Middle Atlantic Championships: Wilmington, Delaware - First Place 165 Class

    April 3, 1942 - Middle Atlantic Championships: Philadelphia, PA - Failed to Total - 165 Class
    Missed all three attempts at the press with 240

    April 9, 1942 - Junior National Championships: Bristol, Connecticut - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 156
    240 - 225 - 3-- = 765
    Lifts: PRESS 220 - 230 - 240. SNATCH 215 - 225 - [230]. C & J 290 - 300 - [305].

    Frank was drafted into the Army Air Corps in December, 1942.

    June 3, 1944 - Just prior to the Normandy Invasion lifting in England, Frank Spellman defeated the British middleweight champion Bill Watson with 240 - 22 - 290 = 750. Watson missed all his pressed but snatched 235 and Clean & Jerked 300 lbs.

    In December 1945, Frank Spellman was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps.

    March 6, 1946 - Jihn Fritshe Show: Philadelphia, PA
    This was an exhibition. Frank demonstrated three Olympic lifts with John Terpak and John Terlazzo.

    April 13, 1946 - Senior Middle-Atlantic Championships: Philadelphia, PA - Failed to Total - 165 Class
    PRESS 250. SNATCH 230. Missed all CLEAN & JERKS.

    June 2, 1946 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships: Detroit, Michigan - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 163 �
    257* - 252 - 322 = 831
    Lifts: PRESS 247 - 257 - [262]. SNATCH 237 - 247 - 252. C & J 307 - 317 - 322.
    * New American Record Press 257 3/4 (this lift was actually higher than the official listed world's record in the light-heavyweight class). Frank Spellman also broke Johnny Terpak's national press record on his first attempt with 247, old record 245. Spellman defeated John Terpak and Stanley Stanczyk for the 165 title - Terpak 816, Stanczyk 816.

    September 1, 1946 - North American and Canadian National Chamionships: Montreal, Canada - Third Place - 165 Class - BWT 162
    245 - 240 - 310 = 795
    This contest was won by Stan Stanczyk with an 820 total. Terpak came in second with an 815 total.

    October 19, 1946 - World Weightlifting Championships: Palais de Chaillot, Paris, France - Third Place - 165 Class - BWT 156
    248 - 253 � - 319 3/4 = 821 1/4
    Lifts: PRESS 231 - 242 - 248. SNATCH 236 � - 248 - 253 1/2. C & J 308 � - 319 3/4 - [325].
    El Touni won with 832 � and John Terpak was second with 826 3/4. The USA won the team title.

    April 19, 1947 - Middle-Atlantic Championships: Easton, PA - Third Place - 165 Class
    245 - 245 - 310 = 800
    Stanczyk won with 875 total.

    June 28, 1947 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships: Chicago, IL - Second Place - 181 Class - BWT 166
    260 - 260 - 315 = 835
    Lifts: PRESS 245 - 255 - 260. SNATCH 245 - 255 - 260. C & J 315 - [325] - [325].
    John Terpak won with 840. Both Terpak and Spellman drank enough water to make weight in the 181 class to avoid lifting against Stanczyk in the 165 class.

    September 26, 1947 - World Weightlifting Championships: Philadelphia, PA - Second Place - 165 Class - BWT 160
    253 � - 253 � - 319 3/4 = 826 3/4
    Lifts: PRESS [253 1/2 - 253 1/2] - 253 1/2. SNATCH 253 1/2 - [264 1/2 - 264 1/2]. C & J 303 - 319 3/4 - [330].
    Stanczyk won with an 892 3/4 total.

    1947 - Frank Spellman was rated the third best 165 class lifter in the world, Stan Stanczyk was first with a toal of 892 3/4; El Touni of Egypt placed second with 832 1/4; Frank Spellman came in thrid with an 826 3/4 total.

    February 20, 1948 - New York Invitational Meet: St. Nicholas Arena, NYC, NY - Second Place - 165 Class - BWT 164 1/2
    255 - 255 - 330 = 840
    Pete George won with an 840 total (BWT 161) because of his lighter bodyweight.

    March 27, 1948 - Middle Atlantic Championships: Philadelphia, PA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 162 1/2
    255 - 255 - 325 = 835

    May 14, 1948 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 162 3/4
    260* - 265 - 330 = 855
    Lifts: PRESS 245 - 255 - 260. SNATCH 250 - 260 - 265. C & J 315 - 330 - PASS.
    *New American record Press 260.

    May 1948 - Frank Spellman's total of 855 was the third best all time in the 165 class. Only Stanczyk and Touni had done more (892 3/4 and 854 1/2 respectively).

    June 20, 1948 - Eastern District Olympic Weightlifting Trials: Baltimore, Maryland - First Place - 165 class - BWT 163
    253 1/2 - 253 1/2 - 314 1/4 = 821 1/4

    July 9, 1948 - USA Final Olympic Tryouts: Riverside Plaza Auditorium, NYC, NY - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 164 1/2
    259 - 259 - 314 1/4 = 832 1/4
    Pete George placed second with a 788 1/4 total. Both Spellman and George made the Olympic team.

    August 10, 1948 - Olympic Games: London, England - Gold Medal (1st place) - 165 Class - BWT 161
    259 - 264 1/2 - 336* = 859 1/2*
    Lifts: PRESS 242 1/2 - 253 1/2 - 259. SNATCH 248 - 259 - 264 1/2. C & J 314 1/4 - 330 1/2 - 336.
    *New Olympic records.

    February 18, 1949 - John Terlazzo Invitational Meet: NYC, NY - BWT 166 1/2 Frank pressed 240. He clean and jerked 300.

    May 7, 1949 - Senior Middle Atlantic Weightlifting Championships: York, PA - First Place - 165 Class
    255 - 240 - 300 = 795

    May 21, 1949 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships: Cleveland, Ohio - Second Place - 165 Class - BWT 162 3/4
    255 - 260 - 315 = 830
    Lifts: PRESS 240 - 250 - 255. SNATCH 240 - 250 - 260. C & J 315.
    Pete George won on bodyweight (158 1/4 lbs.) with an 830 total.

    September 3, 1949 - North American Weightlifting Championships: Montreal, Canada- First Place - 165 Class
    255 - 255 - 320 = 830
    G. Gratton of Canada was second with an 825 total (255 - 250 - 320)

    November 9, 1949 - York Variety Show: York, PA
    Frank lifted against Pete George. Frank 800 - Pete 845.

    January 27, 1950 - New York Invitation Meet: NYC, NY - BWT 161 3/4
    Frank pressed 240.

    April 15, 1950 - Senior Middle Atlantic Championships: Wilmington, Delaware - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 162
    255 - 235 - 315 = 805

    May 13, 1950 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships: Philadelphia, PA - Second Place - 165 Class - BWT 163 1/4
    260* - 250 - 320 = 830
    Lifts: PRESS 245 - 255 - 260. SNATCH 240 - 250 - [260]. C & J 310 - 320 - [330]
    *New American record press 261 3/4 lbs. Pete George won with an 835 total.

    September 22, 1950 - World Championship Tryout Meet - Brooklyn, NY - First Place 165 Class - BWT 157
    250 - 240 - 310 = 800
    Pete George was picked for the world team because of previous outstanding performances. Pete was unable to lift at the Tryouts.

    February 16, 1951 - Pan American Tryout Meet - Roosevelt Auditorium, NYC, NY - Third Place - 165 Class
    250 - 250 - 325 = 825
    Pete George placed first with 835. Dave Sheppard placed second with 830.

    June 15, 1951 - Senior National Championships: Greek Theater, Griffith park, Los Angeles, CA - Third Place - 165 Class - BWT 159 1/4
    260 - 245 - 300 = 805
    Won by Pete George with a 860 total. Dave Sheppard also totaled 860.

    September 15, 1951 - Strength & Health Picnic - Brookside Park, Dover, PA - Exhibition - Full Squat 400 lbs. Clean & Press 250.

    October 6, 1951 - World Championship Tryouts: Second Place - 148 Class. 242 - 231 - 292 = 765.
    Joe Pitman won with a 769 total. Shams of Egypt won the 148 World title with a 753 total.

    June 15, 1952 - Eastern Preliminary Olympic Weightlifting Tryouts: Baltimore, MD - First Place - 165 Class.
    230 - 230 - 300 = 760

    June 28, 1952 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships and Final Olympic Tryouts: 69th Regiment Armory, NYC, NY - Second Place - 148 Class - BWT 148 3/4.
    226 - 226 - 314 1/4 = 766 1/4
    Tommy Kono won with a 799 1/4 total.

    Frank did not compete in 1953.

    April 3, 1954 - California State Championships: Los Angeles, California - First Place, 181 Class - BW%T 170
    265 - 260* - 330 = 855
    *New California State Record - Fourth attempt 270 snatch.

    April 24, 1954 - A.A.U. National Bench Press and Squat Championships (sanctioned by the Pacific Association of the A.A.U.): Oakland, CA - 181 Class - Third Place Bench Press/First Place Squat
    Bench Press 340* - Squat 510**

    *The bench press was won by Marty Orloff with 400. Tommy Kono came in second with 380.
    ** Second place, Tommy Kono 480, Third Place Marty Orloff, 420. Spellman's squat was a new California State record. The old record was held by Roy Hilligenn at 505. This was the first A.A.U. National Powerlifting Championships ever held.

    June 25, 1954 - Senior National A.A.U. Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - Second Place - 181 Class - BWT 173
    260 - 270 - 340 = 870
    The snatch, clean and jerk and total were all new personal records for Frank. Tommy Kono won with a 930 total.

    December 1954 - With an 870 total, Frank placed fourth on the All American Weightlifting Team. Tommy Kono placed first with 958 3/4. Second place was Stanley Stanczyk at 925. Dave Sheppard gave a respectable third place showing, also at 925.

    January 15, 1955 - Los Angeles Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class.
    245 - 240 - 300 = 785

    March 1955 - Southern California Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 181 Class - BWT 167
    C & J 340 - Total 850
    Best Lifter Award - Frank Spellman

    March 26, 1955 - Yarick's Odd Lift Meet: Oakland, CA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 162
    Olympic Press 260, Upright Row 180, Bench Press 320, Squat 475, Deadlift 510.
    Frank was the "outstanding lifter" at the meet.

    January 14, 1956 - Los Angeles Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - 165 Class - Failed to total.
    Frank pressed 260 and clean & jerked 310. He missed all snatch attempts with 240 - 250 - 260.

    March 15, 1956 - Southern California Weightlifting Championships: Embassy Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class
    265 - 255 - 320 = 840
    Frank pressed 270 but was turned down. He also had a close miss with a 340 clean and jerk. Frank won the "outstanding lifter" award of the meet.

    May 5, 1956 - California A.A.U. State Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - 165 Class - Failed to total Press 265. Snatch 255. Frank missed all of his clean and jerks.

    October 27, 1956 - Final Olympic Weightlifting Tryouts: Civic Auditorium, San Jose, CA - 165 Class - Failed to total - BWT 161
    Press 285 (Frank pressed 290 but was ruled out). Frank missed attempts at snatching 260. Frank clean and jerked 320.

    April 6, 1957 - State of California Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class
    250 - 240 - 290 = 780

    January 11, 1958 - Los Angeles Weightlifting Championships: Embassy Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 161 1/2
    260 - 235 - 300 = 795

    March 1, 1958 - Southern California Championships: Pomona, CA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 163
    260 - 230 - 300 = 790

    April 26, 1958 - California State Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 163
    250 - 245 - 310 = 805

    January 24, 1959 - Los Angeles Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class
    250 - 240 - 300 = 790

    March 1959 - Southern California Weightlifting Championships: Los Angeles, CA - First Place - 165 Class
    760 Total

    June 24, 1961 - Senior National Weightlifting Championships*: Santa Monica, CA - First Place - 165 Class - BWT 163 1/4
    260 - 230 - 310 = 800
    Lifts: PRESS 250 - 260 - [265]. SNATCH - [230] - 230 - [235]. C & J 300 - [310] - 310.
    *This was Frank Spellman's last contest.

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