Olivia Reeves sets world record en route to U.S.’s first weightlifting gold in 24 years

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Olivia Reeves hoisted herself into the weightlifting history books on Friday.

The 21-year-old snatched a record-setting 117kg during the 71kg final, adding a 145kg clean-and-jerk, securing her the gold medal — the U.S.’s first win in the event since 2000.

However, the American strongwoman wanted more.

In her final clean-and-jerk attempt, Reeves attempted 150kg – another Olympic record – but stumbled and failed the lift.

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Her total score of 262 bested silver-medalist Mari Leivis Sanchez of Colombia, who lifted 257kg, while Ecuador’s Angie Paola Palacios Dajomes rounded out the top three with a 256kg performance.

“I’ve heard the national anthem before. I’ve been on the podium before,” she said after getting teary-eyed during her medal ceremony. “But this is the Olympics, and to be here, be the Olympic champion hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m not quite sure, but I’m trying to process it.”

Reeves entered the competition a fan-favorite and the highest-ranked lifter in the field with China’s Liao Guifang, the 2023 world champion at 71 kg, not competing in Paris “because of restrictions on National Olympic Committee entries in weightlifting.”

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North Korea’s Song Kuk Hyang, the world No. 1, was also absent.

Reeves, who attends the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, entered the competition with extensive fitness experience.

Her parents own a CrossFit gym and she holds a whopping 15 American records across the youth, junior and senior categories.

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Still, this was a different situation entirely for the Texan.

“Feeling the weight of this competition is different than the others,” she said. “I kind of knew there were going to be tears, good or bad.”

“I hope that this can inspire any young girl who wants to do this. I think to be a representative in this sport means a lot, and I’m proud to have that role,” Reeves said.

Earlier in the Paris Games, Hampton Morris provided the men’s side its first weightlifting medal in 40 years.

Four weightlifting events remain over the next two days.

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