Sarah Robles has accepted an invitation to the Olympic Test Event in London!

48 athletes from around the world will be representing their countries in a special Olympic Weightlifting event starting on the 7th of December.  Sarah was invited by the IWF to compete… but USA Weightlifting doesn’t have the budget to fund this event so Sarah and her coach, Joe Micela, are raising funds for this event.

California Weightlifting is pleased to announce intent to match fund raising efforts up to $500 for Sarah’s and Joe’s trip.  They are well on their way but this last bit of funds will allow them to complete the trip and eat something other than protein bars squirreled away in their luggage.

Please click the donate button to help Sarah represent the USA without worrying about meals and travel!

For more info on the test event: http://weightlifting.teamusa.org/news/2011/08/24/olympic-test-event-announcement/44321

Check out Sarah’s profile: http://weightlifting.teamusa.org/athletes/sarah-robles

Sarah, back row middle at the World Champs

15 year old Gabriel Medina, a new lifter from Myles Ahead in Rohnert Park, CA, was the recipient of a $400 grant to attend the 2011 National School Age Championships in Georgia earlier this year.   He competed in the 62kg Under 15 class and won a bronze medal with a total of 150kg.

Gabe has been lifting for less than a year and qualified for the national competition at a local competition.  He was “bribed” by his dad to try weightlifting as preparation for baseball and recovery from a football ankle break.  As it turns out, his interest in weightlifting grew;  ”it became like a passion!”.     Gabe has continued weightlifting in spite of no longer being bribed to lift… he trains 4-5 days a week with Freddie Myles.

California Weightlifting is proud to sup

Gabe... Sets up for a big clean

port the passion of weightlifting especially when we can get athletes on the national and international stage.

Watch out for Gabe as he grows to dominate youth weightlifting.