Latest news with #weightlifting
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Charlotte Metcalfe Pursues Olympics After Daunting Brain Injury
Charlotte Metcalfe overcame a brain injury that coincided with her silver medal lift at last fall's ... More World Championships. Her ultimate goal is the 2028 Olympics. Charlotte Metcalfe says that when she first got into competitive weightlifting, she was given some advice by her coaches. They told her, "Remove all emotional attachment to pain." 'That tells you everything I think you need to know about the sport,' Metcalfe joked. The 21-year-old English powerlifter took that advice, along with other bits of weightlifting wisdom on everything from nutrition to the intensity and consistency of her workouts last year, as she prepared for the Global Powerlifting Committee (GPC) World Championships in Slovakia. Little did Metcalfe know that she wasn't just powering through pain, but had something else going on in her body. Alongside the usual burn and muscle ache after her daily routine of squats and deadlifts, Metcalfe said she felt unusual symptoms and some fatigue that just didn't feel right. Just a month before Slovakia, Metcalfe hit her head on a barbell at her local gym, initially thinking her injury was nothing to worry about. 'Weightlifting is definitely taxing,' Metcalfe said, over our recent Zoom interview. 'Each lift that you do temporarily increases intracranial pressure.' But Metcalfe said that weightlifting, just like bodybuilding and martial arts, present 'so many risks' that athletes sometimes can become desensitized. The symptoms came at different times after hitting her head, but eventually got worse. Soon enough, the pain became unbearable. Metcalfe explained that while training further, her spatial awareness started to become 'awful.' And despite experiencing recurring headaches and bouts of fatigue, she chose to compete and flew out to the continent anyway. There, on the first weekend of October, Metcalfe went on to win a silver medal at the GPC World Championships. As it turned out, the English powerlifter suffered a brain injury just weeks before that major competition. Unaware of her condition, Metcalfe had suffered a potentially deadly subarachnoid haemorrhage, or bleeding on and around her brain. 'It was a matter of risk, but does the risk outweigh the opportunities?' she said she thought at the time. Now, looking back, she feels that her decision to try to ignore her headache was a misstep. In March 2025, during an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Metcalfe went so far as to call her choice to compete 'a mistake that almost killed me.' The remedy for her brain injury entailed spending an initial 16 hours in a hospital for standard neurological tests. Thereafter, she was sent home to rest, spending the next two weeks in bed before having a follow-up brain scan. Another thing that may have led to her brain injury, she said, is the fact that over the years she had eight prior concussions. She felt that they were definitely a factor. 'Typically, when injured, I adapt,' Metcae added. 'I train around it, shift focus, and keep going. If it's upper, I train lower. But the brain injury stopped everything.' Despite her efforts to continue training and reclaim some normalcy, Metcalfe said that a terrifying episode after a 573-pound leg press forced her to stop. And when she could not lift, Metcalfe explained, 'For the first time, I felt like an athlete without a sport.' At the World Championships, Metcalfe saw a competitor achieve a 100kg deadlift and decided to push herself beyond her normal limits. Drained and in pain, and again feeling a fatigue like she'd never felt before, Metcalfe pulled off a personal best of 112.5 kg and won the silver medal in the 2024 World Championships. Metcalfe poses with her silver medal after the 2024 GPC Weightlifting World Championships in Trnava, ... More Slovakia. Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life. 'I always loved combat sports, mixed martial arts like Muay Thai, and my weightlifting came from that," Metcalfe explained. "But as a sport, weightlifting forces you to be present. It was a very grounded move for me.' Once she began a lifting routine for strength and personal fitness, she quickly moved to powerlifting at the end of 2023. Metcalfe said she took up Olympic-style lifting the following summer, and in the mix soon established an impressive set of personal bests, and others started to take notice. 'One of the guys at my gym asked me if I had ever considered competing. Up to then, I hadn't really thought about it.' Acknowledging the risks she took last fall, Metcalfe said she hopes others will be more cautious and urges young athletes to take head injuries seriously. Now, several months after her second-place finish and dealing with post-concussion syndrome, Metcalfe explained that she's altered her weightlifting and fitness routines, as well as her self-care and nutrition. As a law student, Metcalfe is set to finish law school in 2026 and find gainful employment as a barrister, a role akin to a litigation attorney, as it's called in the U.S. After being 'called to the bar,' Metcalfe plans to start her work immediately. 'I'll be 24 for (the 2028 Olympics in) L.A. Typically, weightlifters can be in their prime into their late twenties and thirties. I'll plan to be doing full-time law, and full-time weightlifting,' Metcalfe said, 'for the next five to eight years.' And yet, Metcalfe has another big goal on the horizon: making Great Britain's 2028 Olympic team. She said that to prepare for the Olympic trials, she will shift her focus from powerlifting, which emphasizes maximal strength in the squats and deadlifts, to Olympic-style weightlifting, which focuses on explosive power, speed, and technical skill, primarily through two main lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Along the way, Metcalfe plans to vie for a spot in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which take place next year, from July 23 to August 2, 2026. Fellow Team GB powerlifter, Roza De Oliveira, who competed alongside Metcalfe at last fall's World Championships, thinks his teammate has what it takes to compete at the highest level. De Oliveira says Metcalfe possesses the right skillset for the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, and describes her in the following way: 'Truly believes in her own capabilities and will never second-guess herself in the process. Always consistent in her character. Filled with confidence.' 'It's not just the discipline or integrity,' De Oliveira concludes, 'but (her) refusing to compromise on who she is, no matter how hard it gets.'
Japan Times
14 hours ago
- Japan Times
Former manager of Nihon University weightlifting club arrested over fraud
Tokyo police arrested a former manager of Nihon University's weightlifting club on Tuesday for allegedly defrauding the club's scholarship students of money, including by claiming the funds would go towards tuition fees. Kenji Nanba, 63, was arrested on suspicion of swindling four scholarship students out of a total of ¥2.05 million in December 2022 by saying that the money included facility costs, from which they were actually exempt. Police believe that Nanba has collected a total of about ¥38 million from 48 students over 10 years by telling similar lies. He is believed to have used swindled money to buy business suits and bags and to cover the cost of painting his luxury BMW car. According to the university, Nanba began such scams around 20 years ago or earlier, receiving a total of ¥53.2 million. The university detected the fraud during an investigation into a separate scandal, and it has fully compensated 58 parents of former club members whom it confirmed as victims. Following his arrest, the university said in a statement that it deeply apologizes to society and will continue to fully cooperate with investigative authorities. Nanba became the club's manager in April 2000. After the fraud came to light, the university dismissed him in July 2024 and consulted with police. Established in 1965, the university's weightlifting club has won the national intercollegiate championships 23 times and produced many Olympic athletes.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Weightlifting: 'We've made some big strides in cleaning it up'
Man Asaad of Syria competes in the 102kg category of the Men's Weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: Simon Stacpoole / After many years of being under a cloud of suspicion weightlifting's governing body believes it's in a better place, and young Kiwi lifters are hoping to benefit from it in the next few years. For decades the sport internationally was plagued by a doping culture. More than 30 weightlifters who competed at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic games were subsequently disqualified and stripped of their medals. There was also corruption within the world governing body. An investigation by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren released in 2020 said failed doping tests were covered up by the International Weightlifting Federation and that almost $20 million in finances were unaccounted for. Weightlifting New Zealand president Simon Kent, who has just returned from an IWF Congress, believes the sport is now in a far better place. Weightlifting wasn't initially on the LA2028 Olympic programme because of the concerns the IOC had with governance and doping. However last year it was confirmed it would remain on the programme. "A lot of good work has been done in the last four years to clean things up," Kent told RNZ. "There's a real desire now to try and take the sport forward. "We've made some really big strides in cleaning the thing up from a governance and doping standpoint so the next step is to be really innovative and showcase that this is a sport that is exciting to watch." No Olympics would have meant a huge funding cut for weightlifting in New Zealand. David Liti of New Zealand lifts during the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, 2024. Photo: Andrew Skinner/ The second piece of good news came not long after with the announcement that the sport would also be a part of the reduced programme for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Last month New Zealand recorded it's best ever result in a world championships securing five medals at the IWF Junior and Youth World Championships in Peru. Seven athletes took part, six females and one male and Kent believes some of those could put their hands up for Commonwealth Games selection. Olivia Selemaia claimed silver breaking New Zealand and Oceania senior/junior records in the 71kg class. A lifter has to compete in two of four assigned competitions over the next ten months to be eligible and lift a total weight that ranks them in the top eight in the Commonwealth to get to Glasgow. Former Commonwealth Games gold and silver medalist David Liti, along with Selemia shouldn't have any problems achieving that, but Kent is optimistic that at least another four can make the team. He said Glasgow was another great opportunity for them. Weightlifting ticked many of the boxes that made it easy to fit into a reduced games programme. It is indoors, it is strong in the Commonwealth, the host nations do well in it and every session is completed in less than two hours. "We're really stoked that we're one of the ten sports," Kent said. "We're on the programme and we're seeing it as a real opportunity." "It is unfortunate that hockey, rugby sevens and the likes are not there, but this is a chance for weightlifting to really showcase what we're about. "It's only been David (Liti) that has been on the podium at recent Comm Games but a lot of work has gone into developing our juniors so that hopefully we can turn up in Glasgow with a few others." Liti will compete at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau later this month.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hoda Kotb shows off her weightlifting skills at 60
Hoda Kotb showed off her strength when she posted a video of herself doing weightlifting at the gym. The 60-year-old star used heavy weights as she squatted in one clip she posted on Instagram, as well pushing a weight sled and using a medicine ball. The former Today Show host showed off her fit figure in the clips, which she posted as a slideshow with the caption: 'Let's start this day! Happy Tuesday XO.' Her trainer Brian Harrington shared the clips plus additional ones where she worked out her arms and chest onto his Instagram page. 'It has been such a pleasure to be a part of @hodakotb fitness and wellness journey,' he wrote. '5:30 am is never too early when you bring the energy and excitement that she brings each morning. Go check out the new health and wellness app that she launched @joy101.' Hoda left her role as Today show co-host in January 2025, after 17 years in the role and 25 years at NBC. Last October, Hoda revealed that her decision to leave the Today Show came after she reflected on how she wanted to spend her 60s. The mother of two explained her two daughters were the main reason she chose to leave her position because she wanted to spend more time with them. The anchor said that she struggled with wanting to be with her kids and wanting to be excellent at her job, but found it hard to juggle both, per People. Hoda is mom to two daughters, Haley Joy, seven, and Hope Catherine, four - both of whom she adopted. 'There's this guilt you carry because you can't be 100% at work and 100% at home. Something has to give if you want excellence.' 'If you're going to be excellent at work, something has to give at home.' Hoda continued: 'And if you want to be excellent at home, I mean excellent, and do all the things, something has to give at work. It can't be equal.' 'I knew I wanted this decade to be different. I looked at my time like a pie. I was like, this is how much time I get, and now what am I going to do with it and how am I going to carve it up?' Hoda said. Adding: 'And I wanted it to be filled with more of them.' She appeared on the Today Show again last week to launch her new brand Joy 101, which is an app that is customizable based on what the consumer wants - there is guided meditations, courses to grow your joy, retreats, JoyFest and more.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Palau ready to host Pacific Mini Games
Team Palau's Jezzlee Baiei competes at the Honiara Games in Solomon Islands. Weightlifting will be one of 12 sports at the Palau Mini Games next month. Photo: ONOC / Kirk Corrie Palau is ready to host the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. That's the assurance from Dr Patrick Tellei, chairman of the Games Organising Committee. He has promised athletes, officials and fans "an exciting [the] and best game", starting off when the moment they arrive in the capital Koror. "We are excited, and we're doing the best we can to make sure we host the Games to the best of our abilities, with what we have," Dr Tellei told RNZ Pacific. With a month to go before the Games' official opening on 29 June, Palau is now rolling out what they hope will ensure the Games - the second they are hosting - rolls right from start to finish. Twenty-four countries are going to be represented at the event, where athletes will compete in 12 sports, majority of them played in Micronesia, which means some of the more popular sports in the Melanesian and Polynesian regions have been excluded. But Dr Tellei said that should not be a problem. Backed by government and the stakeholder federations, the organising committee have worked around the clock to ensure that all facilities earmarked for use during the Games are ready in time. Dr Tellei said having those infrastructure in place and the economic benefits hosting the Games will give the country, are going to be massive for Palau. "I think it's very important for us and we're happy that 20 years later, we are now having an opportunity to host it again," he said. "Coming on the heels of Covid-19 and Palau being tourism dependent economy, I think anytime there is enough number of visitors, such as athletes coming to the Games and supporters, it will bring in more people. "The whole nation is excited. From the economic standpoint, although these athletes are staying in the villages, and they're on a very limited per diems, I'm sure there will be others who will go out of their way to check what's available in and around what Palau has to offer." He said the focus has also been on ensuring that the support services for athletes and officials are well in place. "We're hoping that people will enjoy their stay and they will be well accommodated, they will be fed well, they'll be well transported to and from venies," he said. "I think they expect to see a country that's ready. There's a sense of excitement all around the country." Palau last hosted Mini Games in 2005. They have hosted the Micronesian Games in the past but Dr Tellei believes the standard of competition that will be seen at the Mini Games will be tougher than what the Micronesian athletes have tasted in the past. "We know that the Pacific Games is way above the Micronesian Games," he said. "It's a different level of sport, and we're very excited because it bring a new level of competition. Our country and our people will be able to witness the level of competition. "We're excited to be the host, and hopefully we'll win a medal or two in this event also." To that point he said it would be tough on Team Palau as hosts to claim medals, with expected tugh competition coming from all pariticipating countries. "The last time we hosted the Games in Palau, we were very fortunate, because that's the first time we medalled," he said. "Looking at this year, I'm looking at some home advantage, but we know the big powerhouses in the previous Games will always be powerhouses. "We have Tahiti, New Caledonia, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Cook Island, the big countries. "But we will be competitive in baseball and I have high hopes in our beach volleyball, our tri-athletes, women softball, which are pretty much Micronesian sports. "I guess between Guam, CNMI, Palau, FSM and the RMI will be fighting hard for that." He was also excited about Palau's weightlifting and wrestling teams, who have won medals for the country in the past. Dr Tellei said all facilitieas for the Games are ready for use. That is something the committee has focused on, with strict deadlines to adhere to. The facilties also includes the Games Village, where athletes will be accommodated. "All our all our facilities are ready," he said. Building new facilities and renovating existing ones have been on the go since day one. Keeping the preparatory work within budget has also been a focus for the committee. The Palau National Government fiscal 2025 budget appropriated $1.2 million to the committee to cover the cost of hosting, with an additional $200,000 included in a supplemental budget. Dr Tellei said despite some costs going up they have magaed to work within their budget allocation. Community support has also been a major part of the preparation, with $100,000 as community donation to the cause. Keeping with international sports regulations, the Palau Games will be tobacco, alcohol and drug free. Dr Tellei is hoping all teams participating at the Games will taker note of that and be ready to abide by the rules of engagement. "Because Palau is a very health conscious community, smoking in public places are prohibited," he said. "Vaping is prohibited and we will declare the Games drug, alcohol and tobacco free competition. "That's not to say that people who really need to smoke or have alcohol use it can't but you need to be away from the public facilities, that includes the villages and the sports venues." Dr Tellei said they are excited to welcome the first arrivals in the third week of June, confident that when the competition proper does get off, the Pacific will be celebrating Palau and what it has to offer.
