Laurel Hubbard has won two medals at the IWF World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, California.
Competing in the women’s +90kg category, Hubbard finished with a 275kg total, placing her second overall in a tough competition. She also took the silver medal in the snatch with a 124kg lift.
Her stand-out performance was complemented by 21 year old lifter David Liti, who finished a commendable fourth place in the men’s 105kg+ B session. We are yet to know David’s overall placing as the A session commences this evening.
New Zealand Weightlifting High Performance Director Simon Kent extended his congratulations to Hubbard for her medals.
“We are delighted that Laurel has taken silver in both the snatch and total at the 2017 IWF World Senior Weightlifting Championships. She is a dedicated athlete and her hard work has paid off,” said Kent.
“She made two of her three attempts at the snatch, finishing on 124kg and securing her a silver medal, behind Sarah Robles from USA who took gold with 126kg.”
Laurel lifted 151kg in the clean and jerk category placing her fourth. With a 275kg total this secured her the silver medal in the women’s 90kg+ total competition. Sarah Robles again took the gold medal with a 284kg total.
“Laurel’s focus now turns to recovering over the Christmas period and then building up towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games in April,” said Kent.
Meanwhile in the men’s B division David Liti made 2/3 snatches, with a strong 166kg second attempt, which is a 1kg personal best.
Liti then went on to make 2/3 clean and jerks, finishing with 222kgs, which is a 7kg personal best.
“David is a very exciting young athlete who is starting to show his potential. He managed the high-pressure environment of the World Championships well and has a bright future in front of him,” Kent said.
“For David to execute these numbers at his first World Championships is a testament to his hard work and focus. David’s 388kg total placed him fourth in the Men’s 105kg+ B session. We will know his overall placing after the A session athletes have competed this evening.”
Hubbard and Liti have recently been selected to the New Zealand Team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, as two of the 12 weightlifters currently named.
Simon Kent, OWNZ High Performance Director, will be available for phone interviews between 2.00 – 3.00pm today on +64 21422083
Please contact Emma Pilkington, OWNZ General Manager, outside of the times above on +64 273039434
