The Pan American Games are an Olympic-style event that consists of multiple sports. However, as opposed to the Olympics, the Pan American Games only host the nations of North and South American continents. Four years passed since the last edition, so the Pan American Games began on October 21st, 2023, in Chile. One of the first sports to take place was Weightlifting, which witnessed a particularly dominating display from one USA athlete. To no surprise, that athlete was Olivia Reeves, who once again broke multiple records and won the 81-kilogram weight class.
Olivia Reeves’ Full Performance
- Snatch: 114 kilograms (251.3 pounds) — (Junior Pan American Games Record, Senior American Record, PR)
- Clean and Jerk: 144 kilograms (317.4 pounds) — (Junior Pan American Games Record, Senior American Record, PR)
- Total: 258 kilograms (568.7 pounds) — (Junior Pan American Games Record, Senior American Record, PR)
2023 Pan American Games U81KG Weightlifting Podium
- Olivia Reeves (USA) — 258 kilograms (568.7 pounds)
- Yudelina Mejía (DOM) — 244 kilograms (537.9 pounds)
- Laura Amaro (BRA) — 242 kilograms (533.5 pounds)
Watch Olivia’s Snatch and C&J on slides four and five below:
Related: Weightlifter Olivia Reeves (71KG) Clean & Jerks 138-kg (304.2-lb) For a New American Record
Olivia Reeves was absolutely stoked by her performance at the 2023 Pan American Games, which is understandable considering that it was her greatest day yet. She has outperformed her old personal records from both training and competitions, meaning her hard work has manifested in the way she desired. Olivia also gave a short interview to ‘USA Weightlifting’, who shared it on Instagram.
“144 is a two kilo PR in clean and jerk. I have never touched that weight or anything more, in training or in competition. So that is an all-around best day of my career right there,” stated Reeves.
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Olivia Reeves also competed at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh just a month ago. So, this quick turnaround was hard to expect. Olivia found tremendous success there as well, having set two Junior World Records which earned her a bronze medal.
It is important to point out that Olivia Reeves is still only 20 years old and that she has had an amazing career as a Junior. However, she is now breaking through in the Senior division. Olivia most often takes part in the 71-kilogram weight class, in which she also wants to secure her qualification for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
So, Olivia Reeves’ jump to the 81-kilogram weight class at the 2023 Pan American Games was not expected by anyone. However, it also proved that she would find a lot of success if she were to permanently jump up to this category in the future.
Related: 20-yo Garik Karapetyan (102KG) Lands Massive 183-kg (403.4-lb) Snatch Junior World Record
Olivia Reeves is undoubtedly one of the USA’s greatest weightlifting figures already, and she has barely even exceeded her teenage years. So, judging from what she has done so far, Olivia could top the Senior World Rankings in the future. She has already conquered the American continents, meaning only the trophies from World Championships and Olympic Games are missing from her cabinet.
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