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The Nation's Strongest Elite
Athletes Return To NYC NEW YORK, N.Y. (April 2, 2002) The nation's strongest men and women will return to New York City for the first time in 50 years for the USA Weightlifting Championships, April 26-28, 2002, 10AM - 7PM daily, at the Manhattan Center, 34th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave.). The event is being hosted by NYC2012, the committee leading New York's bid to become the United States Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic Games. Among the 150 competitors expected to be on hand are 2000 U.S. Olympic Gold Medallist Tara Nott (48kg), and Cheryl Haworth ("America's strongest woman"), 2000 Olympic Bronze Medallist (75+kg) and 2001 Junior World Champion. At 5-1 and only 105 pounds, Nott frequently lifts more than twice her body weight. The 19 year-old Haworth is a four-time national champion who holds every U.S. record in her weight-class and shows her athletic versatility by running the 40-yard dash in 5.5. seconds and has a 30-inch vertical leap. "Weightlifting was one of the most popular events at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and the U.S. women are the rising stars," said NYC2012 Managing Director of Sports Wendy Hilliard. Men expected to represent the U.S. include 2000 Olympian and 2000 Junior World Champion Oscar Chaplin III and "America's strongest man," Shane Hamman, who has lifted more than 500 pounds and squatted in excess of 1,000 pounds. "It's a real privilege to hold our national championships in the world's sports capitol - New York City," said Dennis Snethen, President of USA Weightlifting. "The roots of our sport are deeply embedded in New York City and after 50 years, our return is long overdue." Several Olympic weightlifting legends have called New York City home, including heavyweight John Henry Davis, arguably the greatest lifter of all-time, and featherweight Issac Berger, once "the strongest man in the world." In 1958, weightlifting became part of New York City's Cold War history as the then Soviet Union finished up its first American weightlifting tour - a three-city tournament - at Madison Square Garden. Several NY area athletes also are expected to compete. They include: Flemington, New Jersey, native Danica Rue, who won fourth place at the Junior World Championships (63 kg) and is the defending U.S. National Champion; Flemington, New Jersey, resident Matt Rue, Junior National Champion, and Ed Herger, a member of the 2001 U.S. Junior World Championship squad who resides in Floral Park, New York. Tickets to the historic event are $10 for a
one-day pass and $25 for an all-events pass. Tickets can be purchased at the
door or in advance by sending a check or money order to: NYC2012-2002
Weightlifting Nationals Tickets, 140 Broadway, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10005. |
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