Young weightlifter finishes first Young weightlifter finishes first (April 20, 2005)

Old Chinese texts tell of it. Ancient Greeks practiced it. Feats of lifting strength have long fascinated society.

Fifteen-year-old Brian Reich of Portola Valley performed a modern day weightlifting feat when he placed first in his weight class and also walked away with the first place overall finish at the 2005 Pacific Weightlifting Association Championships, held in South San Francisco March 12.

Brian won with an impressive 75 kg (165 pounds) "snatch" and a 95 kg (210 pounds) "clean and jerk," said Brian Bettencourt, USA weightlifting coach and fitness director at Pacific THERx in Portola Valley.

In the snatch, the lifter pulls the barbell from the platform in one continuous movement to arms' length overhead.

The "clean and jerk" is a two-movement lift. The lifter pulls (clean) the barbell from the platform and catch it on the chest in one movement. Then lifter stands up and "jerks" the weight overhead to arms' length, using a powerful leg drive and arm press.

Brian's next competition will be at the California state games on July 16 in San Diego. His parents are Sharon and Michael Reich of Portola Valley.

Brian has been training and competing in weightlifting for two years. While balancing the rigors of being an honor student, playing guitar with the advanced Menlo-Atherton Jazz Band, and competing on M-A's track and field team, he trains 10-12 hours per week at the Pacific THERx fitness center in Portola Valley with the Olympic Weightlifting Club, coached by Brian Bettendorf.

"Brian sets a great example for our younger lifters," says coach Bettendorf. "He has the ability to transition from the single-minded internal focus required for lifting to an encouraging role model that has earned him the respect of his peers."

The Olympic Weightlifting Club trains at Pacific THERx at the same time as the Youth Conditioning Program, which introduces kids 9-18 to weightlifting and other exercise in a non-competitive manner, said Mr. Bettencourt.

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