A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Ultimate Ironworker is Henry Berk. Henry also took 1st in the Spud Throw, 3rd in the Column Climb with a 6.4, and 1st in the Beam Walk. Photo by Marsha White
Ultimate Ironworker Retiree Al Staley. Photo by Marsha White
Rod Tying 1st place Thomas Bannister 1st place. Photo by Marsha White
Rod Tying 2nd place Timmy Rourke. Timmy also took 3rd place in the Knot Tying event. Photo by Marsha White
Eric Costa, 1st place in Knot Tying, 3rd place in Spud Throw, 3rd in Beam Walk, and 1st with Mac in Rivet Toss.
BEAM WALK Akwesasne’s own Ray Chubb took 2nd in the Beam Walk event. Photo by Marsha White
RIVET TOSS EXHIBITION Mac and Eric Costa (right) took 1st place in the Rivet exhibition. Photo by Marsha White
RIVET TOSS EXHIBITION Mike & Owen Swamp 2nd place winner in Rivet Toss Exhibition. L-R: Mike Swamp, Bill Sears, Owen Swamp and Robert Cole. Photo by Marsha White
By Ian Oakes
On Saturday, July 19, at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and Resort, the 11th annual Ironworkers Competition was held, and the weather was gorgeous. The competition, which has become a staple in Akwesasne, has competitors come from all over to compete for the title of Ultimate Ironworker. There are 10 events which participants compete in: Rod Tying, Bolt Toss, Spud Throw, Column Climb, Beam Walk, Knot Tying, Rivet Exhibition, Watermelon eating contest, Best Chicken Wings, and for the women the Women’s Packing Category.
Under the tent there was food served, as well as the chicken wing contest and entertainment from Bobby Herne. This year, the title of best chicken wing was taken from last year’s champion, Fort’s Brickhouse Pizza, and Spinners Pizza took the title.
The wings weren’t the only changing of the guard, for the last several years the contest has been won by either Eric Costa or Chris Prophet. But this year saw a new Ultimate Ironworker in Henry Berk. A new record was set in the column climb this year with Matt Hiywiak blazing up the column in 5.55 seconds. A crowd favorite, 82 year old Bernie Knoble, is still at it and was back this year competing. Past Ultimate Ironworker Chris Prophet donated his winnings back to the Local 440 in a gracious gesture.
The results for the competition are as follows:
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