Topic: Melanie is a WINNER

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Coming off the platform after her last CJ, Melanie's comment was "Good call, Bob [Morris]!"   From that, and her reaction as she locked out that last CJ, I don't get the impression she felt underchallenged or poorly coached.

Jim, just to clarify. I didn't say she was poorly coached. But, the CJ is her better lift and they were more aggressive in the snatch- going for a PR on 3rd. The opening CJ was easy and solid. So, why only go 108? 110 baby! Then you make the call, but I couldn't see not going 114 since it would have been a lifetime PR, All-Time Sr American Record in the CJ, and a significant increase in the All-Time Sr American Record total.

I think it would be very hard for Melanie to be upset after going 6 for 6, busting her lifetime PR and total record so I am not sure that is proof of anything and certainly doesn't change my own opinion, which likely will never change of course.

Cheers

[Chuck Lopez]

going along the lines of this thread, I was under the impression that Wolfolk could c&j 125kg, why did she open so low?

[Dave Chiu]

NW is one of my few most favorite current lifters, but her best in competition was a 118 American record well over a year ago.

[Jim Hooper]

Chris,

Solid analysis.  My comments responded to the claims in the initial post, that Melanie was underchallenged by more than 7 kilos, and that she was "forced to take" attempts far below her capability, all due to the "USAW coaching system [being a] loser."   

Query whether the very same USAW system's selection of Chad Vaughn's jerk attempts also evinces that the "USAW coaching system is a loser?"

Was that "forcing him to take weights that exceeded his capability?"  Or, instead, appropriate "pushing of his personal limits?"   He pushed them all right.  Pushed so hard he laid an egg.  I bet he and his coach wish life had a rewind button.

[John Thrush]

Hello Everyone,

I just got back from Beijing and 'boy are my arms tired!!!"  I know, everybody groan together.

Seriously, for the most part, I had a good trip.  By now, you all know Melanie's results and those of the other women (except for Cheryl, who lifts on Saturday).  I've noticed the controversy about what she might have lifted versus what she did.  I would like to give a little perspective if I could.

Melanie has trained so well over the last three or four weeks that I was expecting a performance almost exactly like she produced.  Since I was NOT allowed in the warmup room, I watched it from a seat - USAW provided - that was as far from the action as I could possibly be.  Those of you that watched it on NBC streaming probably saw more than I did - truthfully, if I hadn't known it was her through the introductions I couldn't have seen it was her.  But my eyes are bad, so others might have found the seat acceptable.

In  training, Melanie had snatched 80 probably 15 times just prior to the Games.  She had also done 80X2 and 81X2 in separate workouts (she almost made a double with 82 losing the second slowly behind) and she had done 83 at home, and 82.5 three separate times in China.  In the C&J, she had done 110 at least three times (once in China) and 112 once.  She had double cleaned 108.  She had Rack Jerked 127.5 at home and 125 in China.  She had also done PR's in the squat of 162.5 Back and 137.5 Front.  The squats were all-time bests but I still think she was a bit stronger when she was younger, but we didn't really ever explore her real maxes then.  But these were very strong, all out efforts.  So, as you can see, she was very fit and prepared.  No physical problems and a really positive and focused mental preparation.  She was ready.

These were the exact instructions that I gave to the coaches.  Assuming the warmups went without any hitches, she should do the following:

Snatch warmups  35X2  35X2  45X2  55X2  65X1  70X1  74X1  77X1   
1st Attempt  79 or 80(I would have picked 80),  2nd Attempt 81 or 82(obviously 82) and 83 or 84 (I say 84)
While I find what was selected to be acceptable, I have to say that had I been in the warmup room - me, the guy who actually coaches her and knows her better than anyone - I would have pushed to start a bit higher where she was clearly ready to go.

The C&J is another matter.  I don't like what was done here.  Here's my recommendation:

C&J warmups   45X2  55X2  65X1  75X1  85X1  95X1  100X1
1st Attempt  105 (minimum, really this is a conservative choice - she could have started as high as 107 in my opinion) but it was an okay decision to start with the 105. 

2nd Attempt  110 (no question about this weight - she can do it almost on demand any day).  According to Dennis Snethen, he wanted to lock in 6th place over the girl from Papua New Guinea, Dika Toua.  He said he also felt she was waiting too long.  Right here is another example of knowing the athlete and her capabilites.  She was fine and she told me she was fine later.  She wanted 110 just like I had instructed her and the coaches.  That was the right weight selection, and would have set her up perfectly for what we wanted for her last attempt.

3rd Attempt  I had spoken with the coaches about two options here.  If she could move up in placing with her third attempt, I felt she could have potentially gone as high as 116 but no more than that.  But if she couldn't move up with her third (which was the case) I wanted her to do 114 to beat the American Record.  She was SO ready to do that weight - it's almost all we talked about for months - the American Record done in the Olympic Games.  Big disappointment for her and for me.  They should have had faith in the best female weightlifter in the U.S., and the should know by now that I have some understanding of how this sport is done and how to prepare my athletes.  But in the end, they made the decisions they felt they had to - I really believe that.  No coach ever wants an athlete to do LESS than they can, so I believe they acted in good faith.

Bottom line, though, is that I should have been in the warmup room.  While I DO, in fact, care very much that I was robbed of the Olympic Coach position, the more important thing for me would have been to be back there with her.  It's very difficult to be unhappy with a 6 for 6 performance for an American record total on the biggest stage of them all. But as petty as it may seem to those reading this, I AM just a bit disappointed that she didn't get to really do that perfect night of lifting.  Who knows what lies ahead and who knows if she will ever again take part in any event of this magitude?  What a lost opportunity.

But now it's history.  I am so proud of what a weightlifter and athlete Melanie has become.  She has done everything I have asked of her without question or argument and she has done it faithfully and superbly.  But even more, I am proud of the fine woman she has become.  She has a great family (Dan and the kids) she has built a successful business, and she has become a very worthy role model in my training center.  Others used to admire her for her lifting but now I think it's more than that.  They see the kind of person she is and how she leads her life, and that is something to admire and to emulate.  I really am so proud of all she's done.

Now, can anyone tell me how I find the next Melanie?  You can bet I will.

John

   

[Taylor Chiu]

Well, it's sure nice to get the coach's perspective.  What a shame it is that Melanie's own coach wasn't permitted to help her at her biggest meet.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Well, I guess the goheave mob can't say Dave and I are anti-Melanie now or they would have to say the same thing about her coach.

 

[David Meltzer]

Coach Thrush,

Have you had a chance to review the video streams of Melanie's lifting? If so, do you have any additional observations?

  -- David Meltzer