Jul 072010

The 2010 USAW National School Age Championships are over – thanks for your support! Donations to defray the meet expenses are appreciated.

Buy Official Meet T-shirts, Hoodies and Gear at our CafePress site (including youth and large sizes).

There was a lot of interest in the Large Meet Posters featuring the logo, so we’ve arranged to print them on demand for you. The posters are 42 x 50 inches printed on heavy semi-gloss poster paper, for just $40 (2 for $55) shipping included. Contact us at info@californiaweightlifting.org to order your posters. You can mail us a check or use PayPal on our CWF website.

Watch archived video of the meet on our Justin.tv channels.

Official results are posted on the USAW site.

Apr 202010

Here is the official website of the USAW National School Age Championships:  http://usawschoolagenationals.com/

Check the site for hotel and travel information, links to the official registration, schedule and other news.

We also have a Facebook fan page where you can introduce yourself to other athletes, coaches and volunteers.

Jan 242010

We’re pleased to announce we won the bid to host the School Age Nationals 2010 (just ahead of the 2010 Youth Olympics) — more details coming soon!

Oct 202009

Our second Bad Girl Open was held on October 18, 2009 at FIT Barbell Club, a USA Weightlifting registered club in Los Altos, CA.

This Women’s-Only meet was an unsanctioned event with the goal of introducing new lifters to our favorite sport.  50 women and one (very young) girl signed up for the meet including 19 who had never  competed in an Olympic weightlifting event.

Our goal was to create an environment where new enthusiasts could experience competition with a welcoming audience and friendly competitors.  Reducing the intimidation factor… lowering the barrier to entry…we believed this would encourage newcomers to take up the sport and go on to particiapte in USAW competitions.

The 50 competitors ranged in age from 7 to 50-ish.  Many learned the basic lifts in CrossFit facilities around the San Francisco Bay area, though a couple came from Oregon and a few of the “regulars” from as far away as Sacramento.

We’re pleased that we had an average of about 75 people in the audience all day… with standing room only for two of the sessions (50 chairs full plus about 50 standing!)  In addition, at most times, we had more than 60 people watching on the live webcast (with a peak of about 78.)

Jade Anaya (7 years old, 26Kg class) won first place with lifts of 15 and 20kgs for a total of 35kgs.   Amiee Anaya won the 69kg class (like daughter, like mother!) with Kara Yessie winning the 75kg class.  Full results are available on www.badgirlopen.com .

It was interesting that the Cross Fit ladies were very excited about this competition.  They were looking for a place to learn how to compete without being intimidated.  Also, several mentioned that their clubs were looking for the same opportunities for the Crossfit Men.  This is an opportunity for growth of our sport.  A low barrier to entry allows people to try competition, and whether or not the grown-ups compete for the long term, they have learned of a place where they can bring their kids that is safe, welcoming and motivating.

Jun 302009

Thanks to our members and supporters for making the trip to Thailand possible for our youth athletes, and to Georgia for our schoolage athletes.