Topic: USA Qualifying Totals for 2010

[Dave Chiu]

Best wishes to all...

but I think that this adjustment will not prove as worthwhile as 20/20 hindsight makes it look now.

I predict that many will be so motivated by the new QTs that there will be more than they can handle by the second yr if not sooner.

Not necessarily a bad thing, but micro-managing based on hindsight (rather than high standards w/ real-time adjustability) is rarely a winner.

People adapt to incentives, and often not as predicted.

[Jalaine Ulsh]

I personally think the totals are too low.  My class's totals are less now than they were when I started competing 5 years ago.  I don't think that's a good indicator.

[Mike Wittmer]

The issue is participation.  It costs money to put on one of these major national championships and if the turn out is not sufficient then just breaking even is difficult.  Also, perhaps due to the economy, some may not be traveling as much further cutting participation.

The depth of various weight classes is always considered.  Generally, there are fewer lifters in the lightest and heaviest classes.  There are few 56 and 62 kilo men and those that are small are not into lifting, and bigger guys are often not quick or athletic enough for our sport.

This is seen internationally as well, as often a 94 (or even an 85) kilo lifter placing 25th would have placed higher in the 105 and/or 105+ classes.

This lack of depth is also seen with the women.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Mike, I have viewed depth as the primary area in which the USAW could improve for a long time, which I view as an issue of talent retention primarily since much/most of our best talent can not sustain their training through the early, middle and late 20s when a drug free lifter must train consistently to achieve their true potential, if not well in to the 30s. So my question is how could the USAW improve on their business model so that they improve talent retention and thus depth, which IMO should focus on that age group where talent is already proven? Of course you know I already dismiss more international competition as even a partial solution which I think we disagree on. I also don't believe changing the qualifying totals around will make a significant difference without a huge mistake in them. But foreign training camps, for instance, I certainly could see as part of a coherent strategy for example....

Thanks very much for your time.

[Erik Blekeberg]

The problem comes to in that our country doesn't really care about Lifting. Its a means to a different end for a lot of people. Some of our best potential talent in the sport is playing football or baseball. Why? It makes people money. I love the idea of an international clinic. I have been looking for ways to study weightlifting in other countries and possibly intern in Turkey, Russia, China, S. Korea etc. I want to learn more about what they are doing and, not to insult the American Coaches but, we don't seem to know how to make great weightlifters and they do. This is a sport a feel so much connection with that I want to try to give something back to it. I've started up a weightlifting club and have 2 athletes recruited for it.

I think greater public interest could help most of all.

[Mike Wittmer]

So my question is how could the USAW improve on their business model so that they improve talent retention and thus depth, which IMO should focus on that age group where talent is already proven? Of course you know I already dismiss more international competition as even a partial solution which I think we disagree on. I also don't believe changing the qualifying totals around will make a significant difference without a huge mistake in them. But foreign training camps, for instance, I certainly could see as part of a coherent strategy for example....

Thanks very much for your time.

Chris, what is the age group you are referring to?

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Chris, what is the age group you are referring to?

"since much/most of our best talent can not sustain their training through the early, middle and late 20s when a drug free lifter must train consistently to achieve their true potential, if not well in to the 30s."

[Mike Wittmer]

Chris, what is the age group you are referring to?

"since much/most of our best talent can not sustain their training through the early, middle and late 20s when a drug free lifter must train consistently to achieve their true potential, if not well in to the 30s."

Unfortunately, Chris, you have hit on one of the two top problems we face in this country.  One, not enough kids are exposed to the sport.  And, second, those that are and stick with it will find it increasingly difficult as they move on with what we could call "a life". 

I can use my own son as an example.  He essentially put his life on the back burner for many years, and while still going to school his focus stayed with weightlifting.  My wife and I supported this decision and him.  He actually did his best in the summer of '07 when it was decided to take no classes and train for the PanAm Games.  Now at 25 he is set to graduate in December and he will be looking to get a job, earn and save some money, and build a resume.  With a heavy school load this past year, regular training has been a challenge.

Casey Burgener is another example.   Casey choose the OTC and that lifestyle, taking longer to get through school and start his career.  Now he is married and family will take precedent.  That's life in the United States. 
These kids have delayed their careers for the chance to compete in our sport on the highest levels.

I don't know if there will ever be enough money in weightlifting to support weightlifters well into their 30s.  A few benevolent sponsors would be nice, but they would be benevolent in the true sense as weightlifting attracts such little attention that it surely would not be a sound business investment.

The PanAm championships in Chicago drew an incredibly small turnout, less than a normal nationals and the US numbers were reduced.  One would think that in a city that size even a few hundred would come just to check it out.  It is not the same elsewhere, at the 2004 junior worlds in Minsk the 94A session was standing room only in a large hockey arena.

I think in the long term we need to expand our numbers as much as possible with young people.  So, what does this sport have to offer?  I'm not talking about guys like us who love it, but someone who has no knowledge at all regarding what it actually is.  That is where international competition comes in.  I know with my son and his lifting friends, when they were teenagers, the international trips were big motivators to stay in lifting and forgo other sports.  Next, we need to get into colleges with scholarship opportunities.  Perhaps from there we can grow to the point where we can do better internationally and attract sponsors that will help support our lifters after the college years.

Mike