The 2016 IWF Youth Championships kick off in just a couple days in Penang, Malaysia, and Team USA has a large contingent headed to this high-level event on October 20-25. Here is a look at the men's team competing at this year's Youth Worlds:
Joining women's lifter Emily Hearn as one of the youngest Team USA members, Griffith will start off the men's competition. The 2016 youth national champion in the 14-15 age group, he also holds the clean-and-jerk American record for the -44kg class in the age group.
An American record holder in all three categories for the -50kg class in the 14-15 age group, Costal Empire Weightlifting Club member Roberson will take the stage with Griffith.
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An international phenom and Youth World record holder, Cummings sits at the top of the start list with a 25kg lead over the next best lifter in his class. Looking to bring home more international hardware and records, Cummings will be the dominant force in this competition.
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Joining Cummings in the -69 class, Cohen will be looking to improve his international reputation on an already impressive competition resume.
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Another wunderkind, Maurus has made waves recently in the senior circuit in the U.S. as a -77kg lifter. He is looking to bring back hardware as well, sitting fourth in the current start list.
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Loch is competing with Harrison in the 77kg class, the 2016 youth champion and Garage Strength Team member will be lifting in a highly competitive weight class.
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The 2016 national champion in the 16-17 age group, Washington is competing in a closely matched -85 kg class, where one slip-up from his competitors can skyrocket his ranking.
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Right behind Washington on the start list, Koontz will be in the -85kg class and 1kg behind his teammate. Anything can happen to push both these lifters up the ranking list.
Bribiesca is the 2016 national champion for the -105kg American category. Bribiesca is in the condensed International Youth Category of the 94+ weightclass to bring the competition to the end,.
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Our final lifter and another 2016 youth national champion, Tan will also be competing in the condensed International Youth Category, facing fierce competition with Bribiesca.
Logan Griffith -56
Joining women's lifter Emily Hearn as one of the youngest Team USA members, Griffith will start off the men's competition. The 2016 youth national champion in the 14-15 age group, he also holds the clean-and-jerk American record for the -44kg class in the age group.
Terry Roberson -56
An American record holder in all three categories for the -50kg class in the 14-15 age group, Costal Empire Weightlifting Club member Roberson will take the stage with Griffith.
CJ Cummings -69
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An international phenom and Youth World record holder, Cummings sits at the top of the start list with a 25kg lead over the next best lifter in his class. Looking to bring home more international hardware and records, Cummings will be the dominant force in this competition.
William Cohen -69
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Joining Cummings in the -69 class, Cohen will be looking to improve his international reputation on an already impressive competition resume.
Harrison Maurus -77
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Another wunderkind, Maurus has made waves recently in the senior circuit in the U.S. as a -77kg lifter. He is looking to bring back hardware as well, sitting fourth in the current start list.
Dale Loch -77
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Loch is competing with Harrison in the 77kg class, the 2016 youth champion and Garage Strength Team member will be lifting in a highly competitive weight class.
Jaden Washington -85
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The 2016 national champion in the 16-17 age group, Washington is competing in a closely matched -85 kg class, where one slip-up from his competitors can skyrocket his ranking.
Kolton Koontz -85
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Right behind Washington on the start list, Koontz will be in the -85kg class and 1kg behind his teammate. Anything can happen to push both these lifters up the ranking list.
Marcos Bribiesca +94
Bribiesca is the 2016 national champion for the -105kg American category. Bribiesca is in the condensed International Youth Category of the 94+ weightclass to bring the competition to the end,.
Heaverth Tan +94
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Our final lifter and another 2016 youth national champion, Tan will also be competing in the condensed International Youth Category, facing fierce competition with Bribiesca.