OLYMPIC SPORT PREVIEW: U.S. IN NEED OF LIFT WOMEN SHOULD HELP U.S. LIFTING BACK TO THE GOLD.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer Cara Heads-Lane always loved the feeling of walking into the gym and out-lifting all the men in the room. ``They're always kind of in awe. They don't believe a woman can do that,'' said Heads-Lane, a 22-year-old from Costa Mesa Costa Mesa (kŏs`tə mā`sə), city (1990 pop. 96,357), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific south of Santa Ana; inc. 1953. It is a transportation, residential, and light industrial center. . Now, Heads-Lane has a chance to really show off. She earned a spot on the U.S. team in Sydney, where women's weightlifting debuts as an Olympic sport. ``I'm just excited and so thrilled,'' said Heads-Lane, a 165-pounder who holds all American records in her weight class. ``It's just exciting to be part of the team, especially the first one. It's a great honor because before this year, the highest honor for women was the World Weightlifting Championships, which is a non-Olympic event. We're finally equal and can reach the same highs as the men.'' Olympic weightlifting, consisting of the snatch and the clean and jerk, is an individual sport. For the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , Heads-Lane, Cheryl Haworth Cheryl Haworth (born April 18 1983) is an Olympic weightlifter for the United States. Her coaches are Michael Cohen and Henry Myers III. Often called "the strongest woman in the United States," Cheryl Haworth is a competitive weightlifter who emerged in the late 1990s as a , Tara Nott Tara Nott (born May 10 1972 in Del Rio, Texas) was an Olympic weightlifter for the United States and is the only athlete in history to train for three different sports at the United States Olympic Training Center.. Her coaches were Mike Gattone and Bob Morris. and Robin Goad are in the women's competition. Oscar Chaplin and Shane Hamman Shane Hamman (born June 20, 1972 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), is a United States Olympic weightlifter. Early Years Shane Hamman began to play soccer at the age of 6 and would do so until he was 12 years old. are the men's representatives. Heads-Lane earned a spot after winning the silver medal at the 1999 Pan American Games Pan American (Sports) Games Quadrennial sports festival. The games, conceived in 1940 as an event for the nations of the Western Hemisphere, were first held in 1951. . In 1998 she was fourth at the World Championships. She was ranked fourth going into the Olympic Trials before tying the world record in the snatch, which is 102.5 kilograms (225.75 pounds). Heads-Lane started as a gymnast before excelling in basketball and track and field in high school. She finished fifth in the state in the discus as a senior at Newport Harbor High. But she caught the weightlifting bug while training for track and field and soon became so passionate about the sport that she moved to Savannah Savannah, city, United States Savannah, city (1990 pop. 137,560), seat of Chatham co., SE Ga., a port of entry on the Savannah River near its mouth; inc. 1789. , Ga., to train full-time at the USA Weightlifting USA Weightlifting, otherwise known as USAW, is the national governing body overseeing the sport of Olympic weightlifting in the United States. USAW is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), responsible for conducting Olympic weightlifting programs throughout the Center. ``It was kind of a leap of faith moving to Savannah,'' she said. ``I loved California, so it was difficult. But I met my husband in Savannah and a lot of great things happened.'' Coach Michael Cohen Michael Cohen may refer to:
``Cara`s in good shape. I think she's one of the best athletes in the United States,'' he said. ``Obviously it's exciting to be one of the first women competing and to represent the country at the highest level. It's a great honor. She moved to Savannah five years ago to train with the best athletes because she wanted to be successful, and it has paid off.'' Heads-Lane said Olympic weightlifting isn't just about strength, noting she gives equal attention to speed and flexibility. ``Olympic weightlifting is different than power-lifting,'' she said. ``You have to be a lot more flexible.'' WEIGHTLIFTING Competition dates: Sept. 16-23 Events: Men's and women's snatch and clean and jerk. Individuals from about 80 countries are competing, including two men and four women for the U.S. History: Weightlifting first appeared in the 1896 Olympics and has been a part of every Games since, except for 1900, 1908 and 1920. In 1928, the program was standardized to three lifts: the snatch, the clean and jerk and the press. The press was eliminated in 1976 because of judging difficulties. Favorites: Naim Suleymanoglu of Turkey is going for his fourth consecutive gold medal gold medal traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.] See : Prize . Nicknamed ``Pocket Hercules,'' Suleymanoglu regularly lifts three times his body weight. Born in Bulgaria, Suleymanoglu defected in 1986. For the U.S., Cheryl Haworth, a 17-year-old 304-pounder, is considered the strongest woman in the world. She's a three-time national champion. How the U.S. will fare: The U.S. hasn't won an Olympic medal since it boycotted the 1980 Games, and Charles Vinci in 1960 was the last American to win a gold. In Sydney, Haworth is considered America's best hope. CAPTION(S): box Box: WEIGHTLIFTING (See text) |
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