200LB Squats at 7 Years Old: How 3X Olympic Champion Pyrros Dimas Was Chosen for Weightlifting
For many athletes, the journey to the Olympic podium begins decades before the opening ceremonies. In some cases, countries will spend millions to scout, select, and develop future medalists. Others are found by happenstance, as was the case for Greek weightlifter Pyrros Dimas. By Olympic pedigree, Dimas is widely regarded as the most accomplished Olympic […]
Stronger Than China? Alexey Churkin (73KG) Snatches 170KG Unofficial World Record
Many of the strongest weightlifters in the world are gathered in Paris, France, for the 2024 Olympics — but not Kazakh weightlifter Alexey Churkin. Yet Churkin, 20, may just be one of the strongest 73-kilogram weightlifters on the planet. On Saturday, Jul. 27, 2024, Churkin posted a video to his personal Instagram account of what […]
11-Year-Old Weightlifter Rory van Ulft Zercher Squats 120 Kilograms (264 Pounds) in Training
Pre-teen sensation Aurora “Rory” van Ulft has captivated the strength world. At 11 years old, van Ulft took to her Instagram page on July 17, 2024, to showcase her latest achievement: a 120-kilogram (264-pound) Zercher squat — that’s more than three times her body weight. Known for her incredible strength, such as squatting three times her body weight, the […]
For Some Olympic Athletes, Getting a Medal Through TSA Is the Hardest Part
Ever since she won a medal at the 2020 Olympics, Kate Vibert has been embroiled in a beef with the Transportation Security Administration. “[The medal] almost always gets flagged when I’m going through airport security,” Vibert tells BarBend, chuffed at the chance to vent about it. “It shows up as a large, dark circle on […]
“I’m Carrying a Legacy”: Meet 2024 Olympian Mary Theisen-Lappen
Mary Theisen-Lappen has big shoes to fill. The 33-year-old got a late start in competitive Olympic lifting, and yet in less than five years’ time has climbed just about as high as anyone can go — she joins four other American weightlifters en route to the 2024 Olympics, which run from Jul. 26 to Aug. […]
How To Watch Weightlifting at the 2024 Olympics
Hold on to your butts — the 2024 Olympics are right around the corner. This summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, begin on Jul. 26 and run through Aug. 11. This year’s weightlifting events, though, don’t kick off until Aug. 7. If you’re a Parisian, this article probably isn’t for you. But if you’re trying […]
These Are the Olympic Records in Weightlifting…for Now
The summer Olympic Games have been held just about every four years since the inaugural event in 1896 in Athens, Greece. The Games are about international cooperation, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. They’re also an opportunity for the best weightlifters in the world to throw some really, really heavy barbells overhead. That’s why we’ve compiled this list […]
Report: 2016 Olympian Mohamed Ehab May Lose Bronze Medal After Failing Doping Test
Reanalysis of samples from the 2016 Rio Olympic Games resulted in the provisional suspension of two weightlifters from the former Men’s 77-kilogram division: Mohamed Ehab of Egypt and Alexandru Spac of Moldova, who finished third and fifth, respectively. On Jul. 17, 2024, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said they were provisionally suspended until the resolution […]
“He Can Be Top Five”: Meet 2024 Olympian Wes Kitts
“This is the best weightlifting team that the United States has sent to the Olympics in modern times,” said senior international coach Wil Fleming on Reddit in June. Not only is he correct — Team USA is going to be a powerhouse at the 2024 Olympics — but that strength is buoyed in large part […]
2020 Olympian Predicts 2024 Olympics Weightlifting Results
Speculation abounds. As of the date of this article’s publication, the 2024 Olympics are a mere 11 days away. After three full years since weightlifters took to the stage in Tokyo, fans are eager to see new records set, medals won, and history made. Which begs the question — who the heck is going to […]