The growth and maturation of Hassle Free BBC's very young weightlifting team continued with a successful run at the 2009 American Open. Nearly 200 weightlifters, including members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team and 2009 Senior World Team, competed this last weekend at the American Open in Mobile, Ala.
Sacramento High School Senior Sae Vang, a member of the 2009 Youth World Team and fresh off a Gold medal at the Quebec Junior Championships in November, took Gold again with an impressive 191 total and 5/6 performance. Sae was the youngest Gold medal winner at this years's prestigious event.
Also helping lead the Hassle Free BBC men's team to a 3rd place overall finish were Ian Wilson, Keylin Mackey and Kyle Saelee. 15-year old Ian Wilson (seen below), the youngest male lifter in the event, had maybe the most impressive results of his short career. Lifting in the 105kg weight class, Ian went 5/6 with a 137 snatch, 166 C/J for a 303 total and 5th place finish. Keylin Mackey, traveling from Colorado Springs where he trains at the Olympic Training Center, lifted in the 85kg class, went 5/6 for a 265 total and 6th place finish. Kyle Saelee, nurturing a bad back, turned in a gutsy performance with a 99 in the snatch, 125 in the C/J, for a 224 total. Kyle was the youngest lifter in the 77kg class and finishedin 16th place.
The Hassle Free Women's team was led by Kari Shimimura. Kari continues to improve and had one of her best meets, with a 7th place finish in the very competitive 63kg weight class. Kari snatched 67 and an 83 in the C/J for an outstanding 150 total. The youngest lifter in the 63kg class was our own Fahm Saephan. Fahm lifting in her first National Open event, had 2 PR's with 57 snatch, 71 C/J and a 128 total. Fahm finished in 15th place. Jackie Mah also made the trip this year, coming off a shoulder injury, finished in 9th place in the 75kg weight class with a 147 total.
Congratulations to all the Hassle Free Lifters and Coach Paul Doherty for another great performance!
See the attached for all the results:
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