The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) published the final entry list for the 2017 IWF World Championships beginning later this month. With 377 athletes entered, which athletes from Team USA have the best shot at standing on the podium?
On the men’s side, CJ Cummings has the 5th highest entry total (322kg) in the 69kg weight class. Jeongsik Won (KOR) tops the list with a 340kg total. Between Won and Cummings are three athletes all with a 330kg entry total. Cummings will need to improve on his 322kg total, which he hit at the 2017 IWF Youth National Championship in April, and get some help for those ranked above him. Cummings is scheduled to lift Friday night, December 1.
Angelo Bianco is the next highest ranked American in his weight category. Bianco has the 11st highest entry total in the 77kg weight category. But at 333kg, Bianco will is more than 20kg behind the top lifters in the group.
Team USA’s women’s field has several athletes within striking distance of a spot on the podium. Mattie Rogers (69kg), Jenny Arthur (75kg) and Sarah Robles (+90kg) all are in the top 6 entry totals in their respective weight categories.
Rogers has the 6th best entry total in her weight category, but is just 6kg shy of 2nd and 3rd highest entry total of 245kg. Rogers is scheduled to lift Saturday afternoon, December 2.
Jenny Arthur is also the 6th ranked lifter in her weight category. Arthur is just 3kg behind the 3rd highest entry total. The schedule has Arthur lifting Sunday evening, December 3.
The best chance at an American medal comes from Sarah Robles. Robles won the bronze medal at last year’s Olympic Games in the +90kg weight category and is in contention for another medal at Worlds. Robles’ 275kg entry total is 10kg behind the highest total in the weight category. Robles will need to pass on of the lifters ahead of her, one of which is Laurel Hubbard, the transgender athlete from New Zealand.
