USA in Weightlifting at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio, lifting the bar.
By USOC // USA Weightlifting // July 18, 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Jeff Wittmer (Florissant, Mo./94kg Weight Class), the lone U.S. weightlifter on the platform today in the Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 2, finished in fifth place in the men’s 94kg weight class in the weightlifting competition at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Wittmer posted a total weight of 355kg, with a snatch of 158kg and a clean and jerk of 197kg. Wittmer just missed jerking 202kg. Wittmer’s total was a personal record by 10kg.
“It felt pretty good,” said Wittmer. “The clean was real easy and I got a little excited on the jerk and I left it out forward in front. I thought I would be able to do it. I was in really good shape for this contest. I was actually surprised I missed that last one. The Pan Am Games was a great experience for me. I’ve never been in any event like this before. It’s been a really good experience for me and hopefully I will be able to grow and learn from it.”
Super-heavyweights Emmy Vargas (Colorado Springs, Colo./75+kg Weight Class and Casey Burgener (Bonsall, Calif./Colorado Springs, Colo./105+kg Weight Class) will wrap up the weightlifting competition at the 2007 Pan American Games for the United States, tomorrow, Wednesday, July 18 at 16:00 and 18:00 respectively.
2007 United States Pan American Games Weightlifting Team Results:
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Men’s 94kg Weight Class
Gold; Yomandry Hernandez Cobras (Cuba); 393kg total (172kg snatch; 221kg clean and jerk-new Pan American Games record)
Silver: Julio Luna (Venezuela); 380kg total (170kg snatch; 210kg clean and jerk)
Bronze; Wilmer Herman Torres (Colombia); 376kg total (166kg snatch; 210kg clean and jerk)
Fifth Place; Jeff Wittmer (Florissant, Mo., USA); 355kg total (158kg snatch; 197kg clean and jerk)
Monday, July 16, 2007
Men’s 77kg Weight Class
Gold; Ivan Cambar (Cuba); 350kg total (156kg snatch; 194kg clean and jerk)
Silver: Jose Ocando (Venezuela); 337kg total (145kg snatch; 192kg clean and jerk)
Bronze; Octavio Mejia (Venezuela); 336kg total (151kg snatch; 185kg clean and jerk)
Fifth Place; Chad Vaughn (Konawa, Okla./Norman, Okla., USA); 332kg total (145kg snatch; 187kg clean and jerk)
Sixth Place; Matt Bruce (Baton Rouge, La., USA); 328kg total (148kg snatch; 180kg clean and jerk)
Women’s 63kg Weight Class
Gold; Leidy Yessenia Solis (Colombia); 224kg total (100kg snatch; 124kg clean and jerk)
Silver: Christine Girard (Canada); 221kg total (94kg snatch; 127kg clean and jerk)
Bronze; Natalie Woolfolk (Arnold, Md./Colorado Springs, Colo., USA); 213kg total (98kg snatch; 115kg clean and jerk)
Men’s 85kg Weight Class
Gold; Jose Oliver Ruiz (Colombia); 363kg total (160kg snatch; 203kg clean and jerk)
Silver: Jadier Valladares (Cuba); 363kg total (161kg snatch; 202kg clean and jerk)
Bronze; Herbis Marquez (Venezuela); 350kg total (155kg snatch; 195kg clean and jerk)
Fourth Place; Kendrick Farris (Shreveport, La., USA); 349kg total (158kg snatch; 191kg clean and jerk)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Women’s 53kg Weight Class
Gold; Yudelquis Contreras (Dominican Republic); 207kg total (95kg snatch; 112kg clean and jerk – both Pan American Games records; Robin Goad of the USA had held the Pan Am Games record in the snatch since 1985)
Silver; Ana Margot Lemos (Colombia); 190kg total (84kg snatch; 106kg clean and jerk)
Bronze; Melanie Roach (Bonney Lake, Wash., USA); 182kg total (74 snatch; 108kg clean and jerk)
Women’s 58kg Weight Class
Gold; Alejandra Escobar (Ecuador); 223kg total (98kg snatch; 125kg clean and jerk)
Silver: Rusmeris Villar (Colombia); 204kg total (90kg snatch; 114kg clean and jerk)
Bronze; Maria Cecilia Floriddia (Argentina); 200kg total (90kg snatch; 110kg clean and jerk)
Sixth Place; Jackie Berube (Colorado Springs, Colo., USA); 191kg total (86kg snatch; 105kg clean and jerk)
Remaining 2007 U.S. Pan American Games Weightlifting Team Schedule:
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Time; Event; Athlete (Hometown); Venue
16:00; Women’s 75+kg Weight Class; Emmy Vargas (Colorado Springs, Colo.),; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 2
18:00; Men’s 105+kg Weight Class; Casey Burgener (Bonsall, Calif./Colorado Springs, Colo.),; Riocentro Convention Center Pavilion 2
For the Pan American Games, the United States Team consists of nine athletes (five men and four women).
2007 United States Pan American Games Team - Weightlifting
Women
Natalie Woolfolk (Arnold, Md./Colorado Springs, Colo.), 63kg Weight Class
Melanie Roach (Bonney Lake, Wash.), 53kg Weight Class
Emmy Vargas (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 75+kg Weight Class
Jackie Berube (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 58kg Weight Class
Men
Kendrick Farris (Shreveport, La.), 85kg Weight Class
Chad Vaughn (Konawa, Okla./Norman, Okla.), 77kg Weight Class
Matt Bruce (Baton Rouge, La.), 77kg Weight Class
Casey Burgener (Bonsall, Calif./Colorado Springs, Colo.), 105+kg Weight Class
Jeff Wittmer (Florissant, Mo.), 94kg Weight Class
Women’s Head Coach: Dennis Snethen (St. Joseph, Mo.)
Women’s Assistant Coach: Bob Morris (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Men’s Head Coach: Roger Nielsen (Arlington Heights, Ill.)
Men’s Assistant Coach: Kyle Pierce (Shreveport, La.)
Team Leader: Frank Eksten (Crown Point, Ind.)
For more information on the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, please visit: http://www.rio2007.org.br
