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London Olympics
It was a great honour to be chosen as Australia's Section Manager and Head Coach for Weightlifting for the Olympics and to actually experience what it was like being at the Olympics and be at the Opening and Closing Ceremony, live in the village and use the training hall, work with the press and AOC, be in the warm-up room and bring athletes to the platform.
Also with a great honour like this also comes great responsibility and I was very conscious to work as hard as I could to do my best for the team and the country.
I was surprisingly busy and I did not feel I really had a chance to have any real downtime until I had been there for 2 weeks.
Damo had not had the best buildup so the hoped for 400+ total was not achievable but his 165, 216 was a great result also Seen placed 7th in the 63's - the best she could have done in her group.
Its really hard to summarise the "What was it like?" question but I suppose the best answer is "A great honour to be part of it and an awesome experience"
The Support Staff
As I head off with Damo to the Olympics this video made me think of all the support from Family, Friends, Partners and Coaches that had helped people develop to their potential in the gym.
I actually found it rather emotional - and that's why I love being a coach !
Watch with sound :)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmgPODFXAQk
AIS Training Camp - Josh Wu
Congratulations to Josh Wu who did 72 Snatch 100 Clean and Jerk at the training camp -
I really admire Josh's character - he has had injury and technique problems and been overtaken by his closest rival James but has worked on these problems and never wavered on his commitment to training and has now moved ahead of all his competitors.
We could all learn a few things from this young man !
News
Its the Program !
The training program is just one part of the equation in making you a better athlete - how's your diet, sleep, recovery routine , stretching, mobility , injury intervention, training attitude, training frequency , attention to technique improvement etc etc - the program is not a quick fix to make you a better athlete its just a part of a picture - make sure you cover all the other areas
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)
With the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) rules covering all athletes and them regularly turning up to the gym
and competitions I am still amazed that people are taking medications without checking they are ok on the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) website - ANYBODY can be tested
Goto http://www.asada.gov.au/ to check out your medications BEFORE you take them its YOUR responsibility
note a Doctor saying its ok is NOT VALID and remember there are different rules for in and out of competition
Also if you use Asthma medication you need to get a TUE
New Members
We have had heaps of new members this month - please make them feel welcome.
Mike Keelan and Amanda
Amanda has a new job in Gatton starting in September and Mike and Amanda are moving to Mike's property there and will be setting up a new club - which if it takes off anything like Cougars will be great for lifting in QLD!
Damo - a big year is getting bigger !
Congratulations to Damo and Sharon who have a baby on the way - due 30th December - hopefully it waits till January :)
There is a fundraiser for Damo next month - see http://www.facebook.com/events/409299242446662/ for details - hopefully everybody can attend to support him.
Ken Chandler
Ken is back after 11 years - wow it only seems like 5 :) Ken held some state records back in the day and was a great member of the club - say Hi if you see him around
Travels
15 year old James Norman and Josh Wu who are number 1 and 2 U17 lifters in the country are away next week on the AWF AIS training camp - they are training hard for a place on the Australian team at the 2012 World Youth Championships in Slovakia
see http://www.wwc2012.com/en/ for more details on the championships
Darcia is away at the moment with WOD tours meeting famous Crossfitters in the States - here she is with the awesome weightlifting coach Mike Burgener
Jessica Coughlan and Rouge Fitness Australia
Jess has just been given sponsorship by Rogue Fitness Australia Team
Jess finished 2nd overall in Australia in the 2012 CrossFit Open, and 26th worldwide. And finished an amazing equal 4th at the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Australia Regional.
National Championships and Olympic Trials
Damon Kelly has again qualified to be Australia's Olympic Games Representative with a 172, 218 qualifying total
Personally the main emotion for me as been one of relief that all the planning and hard work has worked out.
Damo also was the best lifter at the championships.
Ben also won the 77Kg class with a PB snatch for the year of 125Kg
Luke secured a third place in a hard fight with Ben Mulder who always is an impressive competitor
The three masters competitors, Jason, Peter and Rob all got six out six and PB's
Peter gold and best 45 to 49 year male with 112, 128
Jason silver - 60, 100
and Rob bronze with 92, 125
