In the largest amateur weightlifting meet in Malaysia, 80 athletes converged from all over the country, to participate in the second edition of The Vanguard Weightlifting’s Lift Off at District 13, Selangor.
Over two days of competition, around 120 people came to watch athletes lift their best in the Snatch and Clean & Jerk event – judged by Mercedes Dickerson (IWF Masters Category athlete) and Marianne Saarhelo (Finnish National weightlifter). The event was also covered by Kari Kinnunen, a former weightlifter himself, and prolific photographer who travels the world documenting the best international weightlifters at event such as the Olympic Games, World Weightlifting Championships, and European Championships.
Not only was the event attended by prominent members of the CrossFit and weightlifting community, Lift Off 2016 itself was a spectacle to behold. The star male athletes showed their might lifting more than their own body weight.
Benjamin Sum (Pushmore) weighs 84.6kg and lifted 105kg in the Snatch while Brandon Lee (Pushmore) weighs 73.4kg and lifted 121kg in the Clean & Jerk. For the females, Maslina Ismail representing CrossFit Vidatha weighs 74.8kg and held the heaviest lifts at 70kg for the Snatch and 75kg for the Clean & Jerk.
The event was contested according to weight categories and podium finishers won a medal to commemorate their achievements. An additional prize was awarded to the best Sinclair Total winner who lifted the highest total relative to their bodyweight. Amira Ayob (-52kg) won the award for the females, while Brandon Lee (-77kg) clinched the award for the male athletes.
Lift Off 2016 succeeded in bringing the amateur weightlifting – a niche in the fitness industry and as a sport to the public eye.
“The goal for The Vanguard Weightlifting has always been to cultivate the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. Thus, Lift Off will come back in 2017, stronger and better – just like its athletes,” says Benjamin Goh, founder of The Vanguard Weightlifting.
Together with venue sponsor District 13, the event was held along premium vendors including Zealfit Malaysia (equipment), Standard Issue Gears (accessories), GOClean (food), Precise Rehab (Physio), The Kettlebowl (health snacks) and Hitechplates USA (equipment).
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