CHFP Athletes End Virtual International Competition Season with Medals

Following the IWF Rogue International Challenge at the Arnold Sports Festival in March, international competitions were cancelled or rescheduled to the Fall and Winter months. For the rescheduled events most if not all were held virtually creating a flurry of online international competitions occurring from October to December.

On October 4, Junior athlete Avery Owens participated in the first of four international events held virtually that CHFP athletes were selected as members of Team USA- the Ibero‐American Championships and Colombia Cup Online Competition. Although Avery [81 kg] was in the midst of a high-volume phase in her training, she took advantage of the opportunity to lift (virtually) with her peers in the Americas and the Caribbean. Avery lifted very well with best lifts of 85 kg in the snatch and 112 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 197 kg to earn Bronze in the Colombia Cup. Scoreboard: x83-83-85/105-109-112/197.

Natalie Andrews received an invitation to be a member of the Team USA squad to compete in the Online IWF Youth World Cup Lima 2020. Hosted by the International Weightlifting Federation and the Peruvian Weightlifting Federation, the competition took place on November 11-18. The US fielded a full team of 16 athletes, 8 men and 8 women with Natalie is scheduled to lift on November 16. Competing in her first international competition, Natalie was lifting on somewhat tired legs as she prepared for the National Youth Championships just three weeks later. Natalie combined a clutch 3rd attempt snatch at 78kg with a competition PR clean and jerk at 98kg. Results: Snatch 78 kg (8th); Clean and Jerk 98 kg (8th); Total 176 kg (7th).

Avery Owens returned to virtual international competition on November 27 with the IWF Online Junior Pan American Championships hosted by the Pan American Weightlifting Federation and the Colombian Weightlifting Federation. Avery produced medal-winning performance combining a best snatch at 83kg with a Bronze medal-winning clean and jerk at 111kg. Results: Snatch 83 kg (4th); Clean and Jerk 111 kg (3th); Total 194 kg (4th).

On December 16, Bella Rivera made a stunning international competition debut at the IWF Online Youth Pan American Championships hosted by the Pan American Weightlifting Federation and the Colombian Weightlifting Federation. As a follow up to her Gold medal-winning, PR performance at Youth Nationals one week prior, 15 years old Bella competed up an age group (Under 17) at the Pan Am Championships. Bella was successful on 5 of 6 attempts, combining a PR snatch at 78kg with a 100kg clean and jerk for a new personal best total of 178 and a Silver medal sweep in the 71 kg/U17 category.

Scoreboard: 70-74-78*/×92-95-100/178*