Topic: Update from Malaysia, Day 3

[Mark Cannella]

Folks,
It is about 4pm, Malaysian time and we have already had our first training session today with one more scheduled later.

A few more lifters will be picked up and that leaves us just one more to go, aside from a few very interested parents.

The training session was quite interesting as we trained with the KAZ team in a makeshift gym.  The training and competition hall are just getting completed and while the meet director is looking to the heavens for a bit of help, he was able to put together this small makeshift gym complete with weight sets and racks for the athletes to train with for an hour or so.

Most trained and Jared hit a nice 130 and 170. The Barnes Bros. hit some nice powers also and quite frankly were too fast for my eyes to figure out what was on the bar:)

Everyone enjoyed the unusual temporary gym to get their first workout in for the competition and probably the only one disappointed was the bus driver who spidered his entire back window by backing into a tree despite the rear window camera.

We sent pictures to USAW today, quite a few actually, so hopefully, they will show up soon on the Web site.  The food is outstanding and buffet style. Some enjoy this more than others.

Meanwhile, two more athletes and one more staff member will arrive today with only one more athlete outstanding.

Again, the weather is hot and balmy and I expect it not to change much during the entire time.  More teams are arriving as they are not affected by the time change like we are in the US.

The three coaches are all looking forward to working with the athletes in the upcoming days and I would say that this group is prepared for the challenge.

Mark Cannella
Team Leader, Junior Worlds.