CJ Cummings wasn’t the only Team USA athlete to walk away with a new Youth World Record. Harrison Maurus (77kg) also did his share to get in the record books this past weekend at the 2017 IWF Youth World Championships.
Maurus set a new Youth World Record Clean & Jerk on Saturday after successfully lifting 192kg (423 pounds) to easily win the 77kg weight category. Maurus finished 2nd in the snatch after failing his 2nd and 3rd attempts, but he had no competition in the clean and jerk.
Maurus’ opening clean and jerk attempt, 175kg, was 5kg higher than any other competitor and enough to win his weight category. However, after the successful opening lift, Maurus jumped 9kg to 184kg and again was successful. On his 3rd attempt, Maurus again took a big jump, this time another 8kg to 192kg and an attempt at a Youth World Record.
“Walking up to the platform, I knew it was going to be heavy,” Maurus said. “It was an incredible feeling. It was awesome, it made me hungry for another championship.” With the lift, Maurus set the Youth World, American Youth, Junior and Senior Clean & Jerk records. Maurus finished with a 332kg total besting 2nd place by 20kg.
Maurus’ coach, Kevin Simons said of the record breaking feat, “It was pretty surreal. I have been working with this kid since he was 10 years old. This is the proudest moment in my life in athletics. Harrison has the discipline of a champion. He does all the small stuff to win. He stays on top of his sleep, his diet, his training.” Simons is a two-time CrossFit Games athlete and will be competing in the West Regional the first weekend in June.
