Maverick Weightlifting Club from Nelson’s Maverick Elite Performance gym, lead by strength coach/trainer and competitor Cody Abbey, attended the British Columbia Weightlifting Association-sanctioned A&R memorial weightlifting competition in Port Alberni last weekend.
At this event on his third and final attempt Abbey (105 kg weight class) achieved a clean and jerk of 145 kg (320 lbs). This qualifies him as a national level athlete in competitive Olympic weightlifting. His combined total between the two lifts (snatch and clean and jerk) equalled 260 kg (572 lbs). This is the qualifying total that must be achieved to be invited to compete and represent BC at the 2015 Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships.
Kelsey O’Connor also competed for the first time at this event, coached by Abbey. She made all six of her lifts, ending with final lifts of 51 kg (112 lbs.) in the snatch and 67 kg (147 lbs.) in the clean and jerk. Both Abbey and Kelsey were pleased with her results in the 69 kg female category, which exceeded their expectations.
