Australian Grip Feats
A record of Australian strength athletes who have performed significant grip feats, including the Thomas Inch Dumbbell (and heavier), Blobs (50lb+), Captains of Crush certifications, and the IronMind Crushed-to-Dust Challenge.
While Grip Sport International sanctions official competition implements, classic grip feats remain a central discipline in Grip Sport, with many athletes training for iconic feats and certifications alongside or independent of sanctioned contests. This page serves as a community-maintained Australian honour roll, chronicling Australian athletes who have performed documented feats.
Quick Jump Navigation
- 🏋️♂️ The Thomas Inch Dumbbell & Heavier Replicas
- 🪨 What is the blob & Heavy Block Weights
- 🗜️ Captains of Crush #3 Certification
- ⚡ IronMind Crushed-to-Dust! Challenge
- 📋 Submission & Verification Standards
The Thomas Inch Dumbbell
The original Thomas Inch Dumbbell (famously known as the “172” or “The Inch”) was cast in the early 1900s by British physical culturist and professional strongman Thomas Inch (1881–1963). Cast as a single solid piece of iron, the dumbbell weighs 78.3 kg (172 lbs 9 oz) with large spherical globes and a thick, un-knurled handle measuring 60.3 mm (2 3/8 in) in diameter and 10.1 cm (4 in) in length.
Why is the Inch Dumbbell So Difficult?
- Large Handle requiring Open-Hand Grip: The 60.3 mm (2 3/8 in) handle generally prevents even large hands from connecting the thumb and fingers, eliminating any passive friction lock.
- Extreme Rotational Torque: Because the heavy spherical bells are cast in one piece with the handle, the bell feels like it will roll out of the lifter’s fingers.
- Smooth Finish: Inch dumbbells feature a cast-iron finish without knurling.
Progression of Heavy Inch Bells
In addition to standard 78 kg replicas heavier Inch replicas have also been created to push the limits of grip and will be tracked on this website.
- 78 kg: The standard Inch benchmark.
- 83 kg: Hodgson-Krutli (HK) replica created in Australia.
- 85 kg: Holle Dumbbell
- 95 kg: Stand or Submit (SoS) Circus Bell.
- 104 kg: Holle Dumbbell.
Australian Inch Dumbbell Honour Roll
The following Australian athletes have lifted a 78.3 kg Thomas Inch Dumbbell replica or heavier Inch replica to full lockout. Historical feat entries are community-verified based on public video records, in-person contest demonstrations, or meet archive documentation:
| Athlete | Bells Lifted | Video / Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce White | First Thomas Inch Dumbbell Replica | Bruce White’s Inch Dumbbell Story |
| Joseph Hodgson | 78kg Holle, 78kg Sorinex, 83kg HK, 104kg Holle, SoS 95kg Circus Bell | 83kg HK Lift • SoS 95kg Circus Bell • Wallace Challenge Bells • The Grip Show Interview |
| Ben Cossey | 78kg Holle, 83kg HK | 78kg Holle Lift Video • 83kg HK Lift Reel |
| Luke Reynolds | 78kg Holle, 83kg HK | 78kg & 83kg HK Lift Reel |
| William Fuggle | 78kg Holle, 83kg HK | 78kg Holle Lift Video • 83kg HK Lift Reel |
| Isaac Pitt | 78kg Holle, 83kg HK | 78kg Holle Lift Reel |
| Glen Krutli | 78kg Holle, 83kg HK | Documented lift |
| Henry Mullett | 78kg Holle | Documented lift |
| Tom Denmeade | 78kg Holle | Documented lift |
| Lachlan Simms | 78kg Holle | Documented lift |
| Mathew Chessum | 78kg Holle | Documented lift |
| Christopher Meredith | 78kg Holle | Documented lift |
What is the blob
In 1992, legendary strength pioneer Richard Sorin sawed the head off a broken vintage York 45.4 kg (100 lb) round-headed dumbbell, christening the severed half “The Blob”. Weighed at approximately 22.7 kg (50 lb), it revolutionised block-weight training and became the international gold standard for wide pinch grip strength.
The Challenge of the Blob
Unlike a flat pinch block, the Blob features steeply sloping, rounded, convex cast-iron faces. To lift it by the slick top and sloping sides requires immense open-hand thumb clamp pressure. There is no lip, ridge, or corner to catch; the weight must be hoisted purely by the frictional opposing pressure of the thumb against the opposing four fingers.
Blob Variations lifted in Australia
Australian 22.7 kg+ (50 lb+) Blob Lifters Honour Roll
The following Australian athletes have successfully lifted a 22.7 kg / 50 lb (or heavier) Blob to lockout. Lifts marked “Documented lift” are community-verified from in-person meet attempts or archive footage on file:
| Athlete | Blobs Lifted | Proof / Footage |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Hodgson | 24kg Holle, 30kg Holle, Original Fatman, Legacy 120, Hodgson Blob, Blobzilla | Documented lifts |
| William Fuggle | 24kg Holle, Original Fatman | 24kg Holle Lift • Fatman Blob Lift |
| Ben Cossey | 24kg Holle, Original Fatman | Documented lifts |
| Luke Reynolds | Original Fatman | Luke Reynolds Fatman Lift Reel |
| Isaac Pitt | KWN 50, Original Fatman | Isaac Pitt KWN 50 Shorts |
| Henry Mullett | 24kg Holle, 30kg Holle | Documented lifts |
| Glen Krutli | Hodgson Blob, 24kg Holle | Documented lifts |
Captains of Crush Grippers
Australian Certified CoC #3 Closers
| Year | Athlete | Gripper | Official Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jermiah Merciconah | Captains of Crush No. 3 | Watch Certification Video • IronMind Certification Roster |
| 2008 | Sam Scott | Captains of Crush No. 3 | IronMind Certification Roster |
| 2003 | Jeff Tan | Captains of Crush No. 3 | IronMind Certification Roster |
| 2003 | Justin Byrnes | Captains of Crush No. 3 | IronMind Certification Roster |
Crushed-to-Dust! Challenge
Introduced by IronMind in 2012, the Crushed-to-Dust! Challenge tests a lifter’s all-around grip competence across three fundamentally different mechanical stress vectors. All three feats must be successfully executed within a strict 3-minute time limit:
- Crushing Grip: Close a Captains of Crush No. 2 gripper (88.5 kg / ~195 lb).
- Revolving Thick Bar: Deadlift 90 kg (198 lb) on the IronMind Rolling Thunder handle.
- Hub Pinch: Deadlift 20 kg (44 lb) on the IronMind Hub by pinching the smooth, circular hub.
Australian Athletes
| Year | Athlete | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Will Fuggle | IronMind Certification Roster • Watch Video |
| 2025 | Isaac Pitt | IronMind Certification Roster • Watch Video |
Submitting a Feat
Have you completed an iconic grip feat or certified on an official implement? Grip Australia maintains this register as a permanent record of Australian strength history.
Verification Guidelines for Submission
- Continuous, Unedited Video: Video must capture the attempt from initial setup to completion without cuts or camera shifts.
- Implement Inspection: Show the implement clearly, including manufacturer markings, weight stamps, or scale verification where relevant.
- Proper Lockout: Clear full-body lockout with knees locked, hips extended, and shoulders back.
- Controlled Descent: The implement must be returned to the floor under control (no dropping).
To submit your verified lift or official certification for inclusion in the Australian Honour Roll:
- 📝 Submit Online: Open a Record / Feat Verification Submission on GitHub with your attempt details and video link.
- 💬 Direct Message: Contact Grip Australia via Instagram DM at @pinch_bypinch or visit our Get Involved / Contact Page.