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So we had a few ‘firsts’ this weekend with a few of us SPARKers…3 of our athletes competed in their first Official Olympic Weightlifting Meet and I coached at my first Olympic Weightlifting meet. And I think for all of there (from SPARK) it was our actual first time ever being at a real lifting competition.
I can tell you that my head was spinning as it definately has more ‘coaching’ associated with it than you would think. I am definately not used to being the one in the room that doesn’t have a sniff what is going on - I was very humbled.Â
I want to publicly thank Larry, Sebastian and James and anyone else I annoyed asking a gazillion questions for all your help because I needed it. I want to thank Tala, Chris and Graham for entering and trusting me enough to get them through it. I was very inspired and can’t wait until the next one! I am also excited to one day compete myself.
I also want to thank all of those that came out and supported their friends: Jenny, Sliv, Kam and Tim. Tim took all the pics by the way which I have uploaded to our Facebook Page HERE in the Hokkaido Cup Folder. Take a look, make some comments and for cryin out loud if you haven’t “liked” the page yet click on the damn button!
These three did AWESOME! They came away with a Gold and 2 Bronze. Who would have thought that some of the things we do actually have some practical application? Weird.
On a side note…Ladies, if you have been dating someone for a while and he just won’t pop the question there is now a solution! Compete in an Olympic Weightlifting Competition together. I’m not kidding! Just ask Chris and Tala. The day after this meet they got engaged. Another SPARKmance that has been created start to finish…but is really only the beginning. Congrats guys!
Post Thoughts to Comments.
January 31st, 2011 at 9:40 pm
It was an awesome experience! Even just watching you guys compete was exciting. I love how quiet the room gets for the lifters as they prep.
And the top prize for the weekend does go to Chris and Tala. Congrats you two. Truly an “uplifting” weekend!
(ehh…how was that pun Jonny?)
January 31st, 2011 at 9:58 pm
It’s so great when you have supporters come out to cheer you on. It gives you such a boost to know they are there! It was such a great time, thanks guys! And Kim thanks for your great coaching! Even though you didn’t know what you were doing, you faked it really well! And yes, it has finally happened, I’m definitely convinced the competition prompted the proposal;)
January 31st, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Great job guys
Nice to hear more Spark success stories.
Congrats to Tala & Chris. If felt just like yesterday I would still see you guys ‘flirting’ outside the gym after I had cleaned and closed. Best wishes.
@ Sliv- Nice!
January 31st, 2011 at 10:33 pm
This weekend was definitely a lot of fun. It wouldn’t have been the same without Chris and Tala competing with me, or without the support of Tim, Sliv, Kam, and of course Jenny (who, by the way, turned 25 on Saturday. So make you comment on how old she is!) And without Kim there to help us out along the way we probably would have been screwed.
It was a lot of fun to compete in something again and I can’t wait for the next one. Hopefully we can get a few more Sparkers lifting.
January 31st, 2011 at 11:31 pm
I just want to thank everyone that came out to watch on Saturday. Timmay for all the sweet pictures and videos. Kim for the coaching. It was a lot of fun. I can’t wait for the next competition.
And if you think Tala makes a funny face when she is lifting, you should have seen it when I popped the question, lol. It was priceless
January 31st, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Graham, Tala, and Chris, AWESOME job this weekend!!! It was an awesome experience to be a part of (well, the watching side of it). Next time, if I stop injuring myself I WILL be competing for sure!
And congrats too my big brudder Chris! and tala! Who knew kim that your gym would be filled with so much love? lol
Graham, you are just that I will always be older than you. This just means that since I am older I will always be the wise one
January 31st, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Oh and Chris, I thought you told me you were going to wear your helmet cam so everyone could see Tala frick out?
February 1st, 2011 at 10:06 am
What a great time it was watching you 3 compete and do so well! The weights you guys were lifting were huge! Hilights for me were watching Tala snatch her first 2 weights above her head with ease and then staring @ the judges to see when she could put it down. Now, most people would just drop the weight…not our Tala! She just slowly lowered it back to the ground like it was NOTHING! Next had to have been Chris and his incredible 225lb Clean and Jerk! You made it look easy buddy…. And then there was Graham…he had the most perfect form out of the entire competition…great lifts dude! Next time I will be there for sure and hopefully can keep up with you guys
February 2nd, 2011 at 12:51 am
Congrats to Chris and Tala - lovin’ all the SPARKmance in the air.
Way to go to all three of you at the Oly meet - I’d definitely like to be there next time too! Tim - great job on vids and pictures.