The 2017 Pan American Weightlifting Championships are currently underway in Miami, Florida, and after three days of competition, Team USA is sitting in a solid position after six Americans brought home a total of 12 medals in their respective weight classes.
USA Weightlifting’s Pan American medalists so far are:
Alyssa Ritchey, 48kg: Silver (Snatch), Bronze (Total)
This was Ritchey’s first international competition, and the reigning U.S. National Champion came through with an excellent performance to take home two medals.
Kathleen Winters, 48kg: Bronze (Snatch)
After multiple delays extended Winters’ trip from Montana by nearly 20 hours, the 48kg lifter shook off the travel fatigue and put in a solid 2-for-3 performance to take home snatch bronze.
Caitlin Hogan, 53kg: Bronze (Snatch), Silver (Clean & Jerk), Silver (Total)
Hogan, who has quickly become one of America’s most consistent lifters in big competitions, showed why she’s a force to be reckoned with in the 53kg category. Hogan went a perfect 6-for-6 in her lifts (including an over double-bodyweight clean & jerk) to lock in three medals.
Harrison Maurus, 77kg: Bronze (Clean & Jerk)
The defending Youth World Champion, this event was Maurus’ first representing the United States at the Senior level. The 17 year old lifter delivered with bronze in the clean & jerk.
Angelo Bianco, 77kg: Silver (Clean & Jerk), Silver (Total)
Originally an alternate to the USAW squad, Bianco only learned a few days ago he would officially be lifting in Miami. His come-from-behind 188kg clean & jerk sent the Pan American crowd into an uproar, securing silver in the clean & jerk and total after taking big jumps between all three attempts.
Mattie Rogers, 69kg: Silver (Snatch), Silver (Clean & Jerk), Silver (Total)
Rogers missed her opening snatch — an unfamiliar occurrence, as she was coming off a string of four straight 6-for-6 competitions. But the lifter from Orlando came through in the clutch and made the lifts she needed to secure silver across the board.
This event opens up qualifying for the 2019 Pan American Games set to be held in Lima, Peru. The competition runs through Thursday, July 27th.
Click here to find out how to watch the rest of the competition live, with color commentary presented by BarBend.com!