The 2016 USAW American Open Series will take a look at two weight categories every weekday through Wednesday, December 7, the day before the start of the American Open.
Take a look at the previews already posted:
Women’s 48 | 53 | 58 | 63 | 69 | 75 | 90 | +90
Men’s 56 | 62 | 69 | 77 | 85 | 94 | 105 | +105
The final session and (heaviest) lift of the American Open will be the Men’s +105kg A Session. Similar to the Women’s +90kg category, the Men’s heavyweight category is Caine Wilkes and everyone else. Wilkes has had the +105kg on lockdown in the United States. His 404kg total at the 2016 National Championships was 48kg better than TJ Greenstone in 2nd place. If Wilkes totals, Wilkes will win.
Last year’s medalists were:
| Place | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
| 1 | Christopher Chaney (157) | Michael Kreatsoulas (195) | Michael Kreatsoulas (351) |
| 2 | Jason Starks (157) | Jason Starks (190) | Jason Starks (347) |
| 3 | Michael Kreatsoulas (156) | Daniel Koppenhaver (182) | Christopher Chaney (334) |
Here’s who to look out for this year…
Caine Wilkes
Nicknamed the Dragon, Caine Wilkes is easy the favorite to walk away with another championship. Wilkes is a 4-time National Champion who totaled 404kg at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. Wilkes won’t be pushed this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how high he pushes himself.
Michael Kreatsoulas
Michael Kreatsoulas is the defending American Open champion, but with Wilkes in the field, that is likely to end this year. However, Kreatsoulas has the ability to take silver in a tougher field this year. Kreatsoulas will need to improve above his 351kg total from last year to hold back Ethan Harak, Jason Starks and Ryan Sennett.
Ethan Harak
Ethan Harak is making the jump to the +105kg weight class. Harak totaled 346kg as a 105kg lifter at the National Championships. Harak made a 195kg clean and jerk look easy on Instagram recently, which is a lift he missed at National Championships. The added weight of not having to cut to 105kg should give Harak the opportunity to move above 350kg this weekend.
