Haworth’s disappointing finish leaves U.S. without weightlifting medal

Published 10:11 am Saturday, August 16, 2008

BEIJING — Cheryl Haworth finished a disappointing sixth in the women’s super heavyweight division Saturday, leaving the U.S. without weightlifting medals for the second Olympics in a row.

Haworth, 25, had the bronze within reach after lifting 115 kilogram (253.5 pounds) in the snatch, but couldn’t keep up with the top-ranked lifters in the clean and jerk.

She took 144 kg (317.5 pounds) in her second attempt but couldn’t go any higher, finishing with a total of 259 kg (571 pounds).

That was 6 kg (13.2 pounds) more than she lifted at the Olympic trials, but Haworth said she had done even better in training.

“I’m a little bitter that I lifted 10 kg (22.1 pounds) heavier before the competition,” said Haworth, who won a bronze medal in Sydney 2000.

Three-time world champion Jang Mi-ran of South Korea dominated the competition, setting three world records to win the gold medal with a total of 326 kg (718.7 pounds).

“She is incredible,” Haworth said. “I am a big girl but that’s a lot of weight.”

The native of Savannah, Ga., was the last U.S. weightlifter to compete in Beijing.

Melanie Roach also placed sixth, in the women’s 53-kg division, while Kendrick Farris was No. 8 in the men’s 85-kg category.

Carissa Gump, Natalie Woolfolk and Chad Vaughn didn’t make the top 10 in their categories.

The U.S. team had hoped to win at least one medal.