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
While this is technically not a new weight category, the new 90kg class has changed up some of the athletes competing in the +90kg class. With Sarah Robles skipping the event, it will be the Marissa Klingseis show. After an interesting 2015, Klingseis stayed strong and continued to improve on the platform.
Last year’s medalists were:
| Place | Snatch | Clean & Jerk | Total |
| 1 | Marissa Klingseis (108) | Marissa Klingseis (140) | Marissa Klingseis (248) |
| 2 | Alexandria Ludwig (92) | Alexandria Ludwig (120) | Alexandria Ludwig (212) |
| 3 | Vanessa Frost (92) | Vanessa Frost (116) | Vanessa Frost (208) |
Here’s who to look out for this year…
Marissa Klingseis
Marissa Klingseis enters this year’s American Open as the defending champion and is poised to repeat with a successful total. Klingseis’ entry total is 240kg, but it is a very conservative number. At the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, Klingseis went 112-145-257. With the next entry total at 219kg, Klingseis is the hands down favorite.
Shala McMillan
Shala McMillan took 7th at last year’s American Open with a 199kg total. Her entry total is now 219kg based on her performance at the Youth World Championships in October so the 17-year-old lifter has made some remarkable improvements over the past year. If McMillan can match her entry total, she should be set for a spot on the podium.
Emily Malinowski
Emily Malinowski has an entry total of 212kg. At the 2016 Arnold Weightlifting Championship in March, Malinowski finished with a 198kg total. She will need to match her entry total to compete for a medal.
