Katherine Nye can’t be stopped. And on Thursday, at the Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Nye made a strong case for being one of the best weightlifters in the country.
Here’s what she did: After going six-for-six in the -71kg weight class she was named the 2019 Pan American Champion and brought home three gold medals. And if that title wasn’t already big enough, Nye also broke a record in every single lift she performed, so every opener, second, and third attempt broke at least one record.
Here’s a summary of the records she took home on her third attempts and total. In the snatch, Nye successfully finished with 110kg, which was a new Junior and Senior Pan American and Junior and Senior American record, and for the clean and jerk Nye finished with 135kg for new Junior Pan American and American Records. These lifts earned Nye a 245kg total for new Junior and Senior Pan American records and Junior and Senior American records.
Have yourself a day, Nye.
When asked about her 110 kg snatch, Nye told USA Weightlifting, “I did it a while ago but only once. We went in knowing I’d have the opportunity to make it and I felt pretty confident about it. I’ve been pulling well and haven’t missed anything under 108kg in months.”
Nye actually can’t be stopped, and this isn’t new to anyone in the weightlifting world. Last year, BarBend covered Nye’s performance at the 2018 USAW Junior National Championship in the -63kg weight class. She went on to win the 2018 USAW Junior National Championship in the -63kg weight class and then three months later swept the 2018 USAW National Championships in the -69 kg weight class.
After her six record breaking lifts on Thursday, her case only continues to get stronger for being one of the best weightlifters in the country.
In the -71kg weight class Nye was battling it out with USA teammate Mattie Rogers for the win. Rogers somehow managed to still earn silver with food poisoning.
Food poisoning (or something) picked the perfect time to show up during clean and jerks. Pyrros held my hair while I puked between attempts and I can honestly say I gave every ounce of effort I had. If there’s anything I know how to do, it’s fucking fight. https://t.co/iBIzr0HYsG
— Mattie Rogers (@mattie_rogers) April 26, 2019
Rogers hit 103 kg and 106 kg in the snatch, but fell short when attempting 108kg on her third attempt. She made her opening clean and jerk attempt of 132kg, but was unable to successfully complete her second and third.
USA’s Jourdan Delacruz was another name who put on an absolute show on Thursday. Delacruz who competed in the -55kg weight class took home bronze in the snatch, gold in the clean & jerk, and gold in total.
#ICYMI: #TeamUSA's Jourdan Delacruz won 🥉in snatch, going 87kg, 90 kg (miss), 91kg. In clean & jerk, Jourdan took home 🥇 lifting 110kg, 113kg then 116kg. Her 207kg total earned her 🥇 and the Pan American Champion title >> https://t.co/4HreaiziTV pic.twitter.com/5OsfUgacic
— USA Weightlifting (@USWeightlifting) April 25, 2019
Team USA overall had a powerful showing on Thursday claiming 11 medals and with six athletes making it to the platform. The Americans now have 26 medals, and there are still a couple days left of competition.
The Pan Am Championship runs from April 21-28 and if you want to watch live check out USA Weightlifting’s live broadcast!
Feature image via @usa_weightlifting.
