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 48kg
Women’s 53kg
Men’s 56kg
On Friday, December 9, at 4:00pm EST, the 62kg Session A athletes will take the platform. Derrick Johnson is back and is ready to reclaim his top spot from defending American Open champion Sean Hutchinson.
Last year’s medalists were:
| Place | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
| 1 | Sean Hutchinson (116) | Sean Hutchinson (135) | Sean Hutchinson (251) |
| 2 | John Stang (107) | John Stang (130) | John Stang (237) |
| 3 | Tri Phu (106) | Kenny Wilkins (130) | Kenny Wilkins (232) |
Here’s who to look out for this year…
Derrick Johnson
Derrick Johnson had been used to standing on top of the podium, but three failed clean and jerks at the 2016 USAW National Championships ended that. Johnson proclaimed on social media that he did not rest following the trials and got right back into the gym. He is ready to take back his crown of the 62kg weight category.
Syrgak Abdyramanov
Syrgak Abdyramanov hails from Kyrgyzstan and competed at the 2015 IWF World Championships in Houston, Texas. Abdyramanov finished with a 265kg total after missing two clean and jerk attempts to bring his total to 272kg. This total will put his on par with what we can expect from Johnson. Look for these two to go back for the gold.
Sean Hutchinson
Sean Hutchinson enters the 2016 American Open as the defending champion of the 62kg weight category. However, he will need to improve upon his total from last year to stay at the top. Hutchinson totaled 251kg last year, but he has yet to beat Johnson when both have totaled. Look for Hutchinson to compete for the bronze with John Stang.
