79 Pan American Games, 3 Silvers, Pan Am Games Record

SUMMARY RESUME

TomHirtz

Competitive

‘72 Olympic Team, Munich, alternate

’79 Pan American Games, 3 silvers, Pan Am Games Record

’74, ’79, National Champion, 82.5kg

American Record, snatch 155.5kg

16 time Nationals Competitor

4 Olympic Trials

Administrative

1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles, Training Hall Mgr.

1984-1990USA Weightlifting Board of Directors

1984- 1990USOC Athletes Advisory Council

1989Drug Test Task Force, Colorado Springs, CO

1990Goodwill Games Competition Director

1987- Present President, Oregon Local Weightlifting Committee

1992- PresentPresident, Heavy Athletics Weightlifting Club

2001- PresentExecutive Director, Heavy Athletics

Coach

1965-69United States Air Force, Physical Conditioning Specialist

Olympic FestivalsAsst. Coach, Head Coach

1987 World Cup, SeoulHead Coach

1987 ManuelSuarez, CubaHead Coach

USA Weightlifting Club Coach Certification Course, Instructor

’85-’86 University of OregonAssistant Strength & Conditioning Coach

Programs initiated: PatrickHenryHigh School, San Diego

GrossmontCollege, El Cajon

VeniceHigh School, Los Angeles

Springfield High School, Oregon

LaneCountyJuvenile JusticeCenter

Published Coaching Articles 15 to date, list available

Current USA Weightlifting Coaching Certification,… Advanced Level Coach

Education

BA, San DiegoStateUniversity, 1977, Physical Education

What is Olympic style weightlifting?

A good question for someone new to weightlifting......
Weightlifting, is the only sport weightlifting related contested in the Olympic Games. Hence why it is commonly referred to as "Olympic-style Weightlifting".
Competition
In Weightlifting there are different weight classes. For men the weight classes are (to figure out the weight class limit in lbs. 1kg = 2.2 lbs.)
56kg, 62kg, 69kg, 77kg, 85kg, 94kg, 105kg, and 105+ super heavy weights
For Women 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 75kg, and 75+
Weightlifting meets are comprised of two different lifts. For each lift a lifter is given 3 attempts.
The first portion of competition is the Snatch which uses a wide grip and is a one part lift. The snatch is noted to be the more technical of the two lifts and when performed correctly is one of the most powerful movements in all of sport.
The second portion of competition involves the Clean and Jerk which uses a shoulder width grip and is a two part lift. First the lifter cleans the bar to their chest and then in a controlled violent motion jerks the weight above their head.
After each lift a lifter must wait for a down signal from the center referee signaling a good lift.
The lifters best snatch lift and best clean and jerk lift are combined to give a lifter their overall score. For example if a lifter snatches 100kg and clean and Jerks 125kg their total will be 225kg.
Training
In order to obtain optimal results most Olympic-style weightlifters follow some kind of a lifting program which has been developed by a certified weightlifting coach. Programs can range from a simple three day a week program to multiple daily workouts and intricate loading and unloading cycles.
If you are new to Olympic-style weightlifting it is of utmost importance to find a certified coach who can properly teach you the lifts and devise an appropriate weightlifting program. Like any kind of weightlifting injury can occur if the lifts are done incorrectly.