“A little wobbly” is how Team USA Olympic lifter Hampton Morris described his unofficial 170-kilogram (374.7-pound) Junior World Record clean & jerk on social media — a modest characterization of a world-class lift from one of America’s strongest young athletes.
On May 17, 2022, Morris, 18, took to Instagram to reveal that he hit the weight in February of 2022 during his preparation for the 2022 USA Weightlifting North American Open (NAO) Series I. The NAO I competition took place in early March as part of the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, where Morris temporarily lifted as a 67-kilogram athlete.
Morris’ knockout training personal record, which he hit while he was still 17, not only exceeds his current competition best but the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Junior record — a record Morris owns as well.
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Morris revealed to BarBend over social media that he put this lift away on Feb. 5, 2022, almost an exact month prior to the NAO I and 12 days before his 18th birthday.
He also mentioned that he has both cleaned and jerked 171 separately in training, but that this was the first instance he was able to lock in a full competition-worthy clean & jerk at the 170-kilogram benchmark.
Hampton Morris’ Weightlifting Career
The NAO I in Columbus was Morris’ first appearance at a heavier body weight of 67 kilos. Morris won that event outright with a 33-kilogram lead in the Total by way of snatching 120 kilograms (264.5 pounds) and jerking 164 kilos (361.5 pounds).
Shortly thereafter, he would travel to Heraklion, Greece to lift at — and win — the 2022 IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships, back in his “home” category of 61-kilograms:
Hampton Morris (61KG) | 2022 IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships
- Snatch: 116 kilograms (255.7 pounds)
- Clean & Jerk: 160 kilograms (352.7 pounds) — Junior World Record
- Total: 276 kilograms (608.4 pounds)
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Morris’ win in Greece added yet another notch to his impeccable competitive resume. Since 2019, Morris has won the last five international competitions he’s attended on behalf of the United States.
A Strong Showing
Things are looking bright for the future of USA Weightlifting on the world stage. Athletes like Hampton — alongside Katie Estep (59KG), Olivia Reeves (71KG), Morgan McCullogh (96KG), and many more — are showing that the Youth and Junior American rosters run deep and are rife with potential.
Morris mentioned that he feels good about taking down the existing Senior World Record clean & jerk, a lift that currently stands at a whopping 174 kilograms, or 383.6 pounds, and is held by two-time (2016, 2020) silver and twice-bronzed (2008, 2012) Olympic medalist Eko Yuki Irawan of Indonesia.
Based on what Morris can do at 17 years old from his home gym, it’s safe to say he’s in striking distance.
Featured Image: @hamptonmorris on Instagram
