Local Athlete Claims National Olympic Weightlifting Title

La Quinta High student Anthony Vong took the crown on Sunday in the boys 16-17-year-old division, 77 Kilogram weight class in the 2011 National School Age Weightlifting Championships last weekend in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

“I went into the competition ranked number one in my weight class, so it gave me confidence that I could win,” said Vong.

Vong is a member of  “Team Yard” of The Yard Authentic Strength and Barbell in Palm Desert, which participated in the competition.

The three-day meet began on Friday, June 24, and had well over 300 competitors from across the country. Weight classes were divided by age, as well as by gender.

Lifters were judged on the completion of two lifts performed in Olympic Weightlifting called The Snatch, and The Clean and Jerk.

Three chances are given to complete each lift, or the lifter can add more weight (measured in kilograms) to the lift for a higher score. The weight of the combined best lifts produce a score, and are then ranked according to weight class.

As the team's leader, Vong's best lifts were 95 kg in The Snatch, and 121 kg in The Clean and Jerk.

“When I made the final jerk (121 kg), and everyone started cheering, I realized that I secured first place because everyone else had no more attempts left ,” the 17 year old said.

His first place position contributed a lot of points to The Yard's total points as a team, leading them to take home third place in the overall team rankings.

On Friday morning, The Yard’s youngest lifter, 12-year-old student, Anthony Mantanona, was the first Yard member on the platform, competing in the boys 13 and under division, 50 kg weight class.

His best lifts were 42 kg in The Snatch, and 58 kg in The Clean and Jerk, and came in at third place.

Later that day, 15-year-old student Jonny Renker took the platform, and placed fourth in the boys 15-16-year-old division, 52 kg class.

“I came to Nationals to have fun and to perform as well as I could, and I was excited that I lifted as well as I did. I had the 3rd best snatch and the fourth best clean and jerk. That is a major accomplishment for me,” Renker said.

Renker’s best lifts were 60 kg in The Snatch, and 75 kg in The Clean and Jerk.

Since they did not have any members of their team competing during Saturday’s meets, the team had time to have a quick work out, relax and watch other lifters compete, do some sight-seeing in Georgia, and socialize with others kids on the other teams, Renker said.

“The most memorable moments were spent meeting new lifters, and getting constructive lifting tips from them,” said Renker, “as well as spending time with our awesome coach, being together as a team in the warm up rooms, and hearing the cheers of family and friends.”

"If it wasn't for coach Nick Frasca organizing and putting this trip together we really wouldn't been able to do it. He donated a lot of his time and personal money to make this happen," said Team Captain and partial-owner of The Yard, 23-year-old Anthony Pomponio.

Pomponio is set to compete in the 2011 National Weightlifting Championships next month in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On Sunday, the remaining members of Team Yard competed. The last day was show time, as the older boys were set to compete and lift some explosive numbers. There were two platforms set up on this day, as there were more competitors in these divisions and weight classes.

Coleman, 17, placed sixth in the boys 16-17-year-old division, 69 kg weight class. His best lifts were 70 kg in The Snatch, and 90 kg in The Clean and Jerk.

The last Team Yard member up on the platform was 15-year-old Max Adams, who was bumped up to the boys 16-17-year old division due his birthday coming up soon. Adams placed fourth, with his best lift was 75 kg in The Snatch, and 95 kg in The Clean and Jerk.

“When Team Yard won third place, it was the most exciting moment ever. To think that a team of five guys is the third strongest team in the nation is amazing. All other teams had like, 15 to 20 guys!” Coleman said.

As this event wraps competition season up for 20 year olds and younger in the United States, Vong hopes to compete in the 2012 National Junior Weightlifting Championships scheduled to take place in February.

 A title won at this event will grant Vong a bid to compete at the Junior World Championship that will be held in Slovakia next summer.

"It's never too late to get involved in this sport, I began training only nine months ago," said Vong.

If you would like to join Team Yard, or enroll into developmental weightlifting classes at The Yard, email Anthony Pomponio at arpomponio@gmail.com.