WEIGHTLIFTING: The powerhouses of the 2014 Australian Youth Olympic Team are ready for the big show in Nanjing.

Weightlifters Aydan McMahon (69kg) and Kiana Elliott (63kg) compete on day 3 (Tuesday) and day 5 (Thursday) respectively at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Itching to get out and lift, their wait to competition day has been long but precise as both athletes shook off the effects of the flight over from Australia.

Eating correctly to make weight; physio sessions, and trips to their competition venue are all part of the lead up to their precious moments on the mat.

“The physios have been really helpful- I couldn’t have really done it all without them,” says McMahon, who is fascinated by sport physiology and biomechanics.

Since learning to lift weights via YouTube videos six months ago, McMahon has been taking photos out of the book- Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett- which the 17-year-old describes as ‘the bible of sports physiology and sports movement’

“It’s about the biomechanics of movement and a lot about the biomechanics of your actual lifestyle, so just by reading that I have been able to release tension in my hips… It’s been really helpful,” the Tumut lifter said.

For Elliott, spending time at the competition venue has been educational and inspiring.

“It’s kind of surreal at the moment. It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’m actually here,” the Abbotsleigh student said.

“The atmosphere is pretty cool- when I watch all the lifters lift, I can’t believe that they’re all my age- I keep thinking that they’re a lot older because they’re that good. It’s really cool to watch them and the venues are really professional and everything so it looks sweet.”

Elliott is aiming to beat her personal bests which are 77kg in the snatch and 89kg in the clean and jerk.

“I would be stoked to break them when I’m here- it’s a pretty awesome place to make PBs. I’d be really stoked to get 78kg/ 90kg. Or even just a one kilo PB total- that would be awesome,” she said.

With one sleep to competition day, McMahon has to stay focused amid the buzz of the Youth Olympic Games. His personal bests are an impressive 102kg in the snatch and 122kg in the clean and jerk.

“It’s gone so quickly because I never expected to be anything other than a NSW state champion,” said McMahon, pinching himself in the Youth Olympic Village.

“There’s so many of us here with the same level of excitement- we’re like ‘yeah let’s go YOGGING! Let’s trade badges!’” he said noting the YOGGER app for connecting athletes and pin-trading.

“Everyone is so nice and willing to talk to you about their journey- how they got here and the challenges they’ve had to overcome. They’re sharing stories and they’re willing to listen- we’re connecting and it’s just mind blowing. Everyone you’re talking to is the best at what they do. I’m too excited!”

His teammate Elliott, who competes on Thursday, is a talented artist as well as a weightlifter. The HSC student has a routine that works, and unsurprisingly, it involves visualisation.

“For me, beforehand is about calming my nerves. I can use my nervous energy in a positive way but I can’t let it overwhelm me,” Elliott said.

“I tend to visualise each lift I’ll do so I’ll visualise each warm-up lift right until I go out onto the platform. I’ve gotten a look at the platform so I can visualise everything- so that’s the mental preparation the night before. In the morning I try and keep myself calm and get excited- the energy definitely helps me lift.”

The Australian weightlifters are part of a team of 89 Australian athletes competing at the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Follow the Team at Olympics.com.au or on social media via @AUSOlympicTeam.

Taya Conomos
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam