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
Women’s 58kg
Women’s 63kg
Men’s 56kg
Men’s 62kg
Men’s 69kg
The Men’s 77kg A Session is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, at 4:30pm EST. This weight category will have an international flair as the top three lifters by entry total are non-American born athletes. Maurus Harrison is a Youth lifter and placed 3rd at last year’s American Open.
Last year’s medalists were:
| Place | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
| 1 | James Tatum (150) | Angelo Bianco (176) | Angelo Bianco (323) |
| 2 | Angelo Bianco (147) | Harrison Maurus (171) | James Tatum (318) |
| 3 | Mason Groehler (134) | James Tatum (168) | Harrison Maurus (303) |
Here’s who to look out for this year…
Yadier Nunez (Quesada)
Yadier Nunez is a 23-year-old Cuban-born weightlifter. Nunez competed for Cuba as an 85kg lifter in the 2015 Pan American Championships and took 2nd place. Nunez has since moved to San Antonio, Texas, to train out of 210 Weightlifting Club and is currently working on becoming a U.S. citizen. In October, Nunez totaled 342kg at the MIA Classic.
Yony Andica (Alexander)
Yony Alexander Andica is a Colombian weightlifter. Andica competed at the 2015 IWF World Championships in Houston, TX, and finished with a 335kg total. Putting up a similar total at the American Open will put Andica in prime position to win the 77kg weight category.
Harrison Maurus
Harrison Maurus has the highest entry total among U.S.-born athletes. Maurus, only 16 years old, is only two months removed from winning three silver medals at the IWF Youth World Championships. The strong international performance also came with three Youth American Records. Maurus totaled 321kg at that event and poised to earn a medal at the American Open against a strong international field.
Bastian Lopez Farias
Bastian Lopez Farias hails from Chile. The 21-year-old lifter lifted 310kg at the 2015 IWF World Championships and followed that up with a 311kg total at the 2016 Pan American Championships. While Farias’ total won’t likely be enough for the gold or silver, but he should be fighting Harrison Maurus for the bronze.
