Topic: Ian celebrates Independence Day with PR snatch (Youth record)

[Rachel Crass]

Snatches just finished up.

Ian, the only 1994 birthday in the entire 94 kg class, didn't disappoint in Malaysia while peeps are watchin' fireworks and celebrating American Independence back in the States.

His first with 140 looked a little hesitant. Technically sound but it lacked his normal speed. Jitters, maybe? (Yes, Team Leader just confirmed after talking to him in the back.)

Well, whatever it was, he made the necessary changes and smoked 140 on his second.

His third, a PR with 146, drifted off to his left side a bit in the hole, but the kid just muscled it back into place. Talk about phenomenal core and upper body strength!

He's 2nd in his session after the snatches. Looking forward to the CJs!!!!

[Rachel Crass]

I wonder how these judges sleep at night.

His first jerk (173 kg) was one of the best in the session, but he was called for a press out. No one in the crowd saw one, and my own heart aches on Ian's behalf.

From my vantage point, it looks like he might have missed his 2-minute clock because they called the next lifter, but I'll let the Team Leader have the final word on that after the session's over. Nevertheless, he made his second after hardly getting a chance to sit down, but this one was, admittedly, a little soft--not any softer than other 3 white lights we've seen here though.

He jumped to 174 on his 3rd to allow another lifter to go between his attempts. He sat in the hole a bit, but muscled out of it and made the jerk. Fatigue had clearly set in, and it wasn't as sharp as his first, which drew 3 red lights, but 2 of the judges finally found their good sense and clicked their white lights. The center ref remained firm on the red.

Walking off the platform with shoulders slumped, Ian's well-warranted frustration undoubtedly makes many of us yearn for more-standardized press-out protocols.

His 320 is still very impressive for a 17 year-old. I expect to see him on the medal stand soon.

Rachel

Ps. Kurlovich had a front-row seat in the crowd to watch it all go down, and that's a dude who knows how it feels to get robbed. Just goes to show that it happens to even the best of them, and no one is immune to bad calls.

[Koing]

Thats too bad :(

The Reffing always causes issues.

Koing

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Walking off the platform with shoulders slumped, Ian's well-warranted frustration undoubtedly makes many of us yearn for more-standardized press-out protocols.

That is impossible. The only solution is to abolish the absurd press-out rule.

[ViKtoricus]

Walking off the platform with shoulders slumped, Ian's well-warranted frustration undoubtedly makes many of us yearn for more-standardized press-out protocols.

That is impossible. The only solution is to abolish the absurd press-out rule.

I actually agree with this!

For me, as long as you manage to get the damn weight up, it should count.

The only problem I see with that is it will tend to shift the sport's main focus, which is something that I don't want to happen. I want the jerk to look fast and snappy, NOT sloppy.