Today marks the final day of registration for the USA Weightlifting American Open 3 Series, which is taking place September 13th-16th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Typically, that’s big news within itself, but this AO 3 Series registration period is slightly different and larger than previous weightlifting lifting meets, both literally and figuratively.
Why’s that? Well, for starters, this American Open 3 competition is going to make weightlifting history in respects to athlete attendance.
Kevin Farley USA Weightlifting’s Social Media & Website Coordinator told us, “We’re all anxiously awaiting how many people will register for the 2018 USA Weightlifting Nike American Open Series 3 powered by Rogue Fitness, but we believe it will be the largest Olympic weightlifting event (by participation) in the history of the sport. Currently registrations are at 1582 with 2 and a half hours until registration closes.”
That’s right, there’s over 1,500 athletes registered as of right now, which is absolutely crazy. There will be five platforms running for the competition. So why is the AO 3 Series so grandiose compared to previous competitions?
First, it could be that some athletes are still in hopes of qualifying for the American Open Finals in November. Second and most likely, this meet serves as the first USA Weightlifting national level event that will use the new weightlifting weight classes, which is historic within its own right.
For context on the magnitude of this event’s attendance, Farley added, “The 2016 World Masters Championships was the largest with just over 1,000 athletes. Our largest event was the 2018 American Open Series 1 at the Arnold with 968 registered athletes, slightly edging out the 2015 American Open in Reno, Nevada.”
To add to the awesomeness of this news and historic event, those in attendance will walk away with more than experience on the platform. Everyone competing will be part of a potential Weightlifting Guinness World Record, and there will be top notch officials assisting the meet.
Farley told us, “We have applied for a Guinness World Record for largest Olympic Weightlifting Competition ever held. We’re thrilled that so many people are into our sport, and we can’t wait to host everyone at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino September 13-16. It should be a great meet, four days packed with weightlifting.
We have technical officials coming in from around the Pan American region to assist in officiating what should be a historic meet – new weight categories, new American records, and a whole lot of athletes.”
For now, we’ll be patiently waiting for the final number of athletes in attendance, along with news on the stature of the Guinness World Record!
Feature image from @usa_weightlifting Instagram page.
Editor’s Note: BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting. The two organizations maintain editorial independence unless otherwise specified on partner content.
