Lee James

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Lee Roy James (born October 31, 1953 in Gulfport , Miss. , USA ) is a retired American weightlifter . He won a silver medal in the middle heavyweight division at the 1976 Olympics .

Career

Lee James began weightlifting as a teenager and after initial successes in the national area, he joined the York BBC , where he was trained by Karl Faeth. In the national team, in which he was accepted in 1974, Dick Smith was his coach.

When he first started at the US Seniors Championship in 1974, he finished in a light heavyweight duel with 300 kg (135-165) in 4th place behind Tom Hirtz, 307.5 kg, Sam Bigler, and 302.5 kg Russell Knipp , 302.5 kg. In the same year he started at the Pan American Championship and finished there with 300 kg behind the Cuban Lopez, who achieved 302.5 kg, the 2nd place. He was also used at the 1974 World Cup in Manila , where he finished 8th with 305 kg (137.5–167.5).

In 1975 Lee James scored 312.5 kg (142.5-170) in the US championship in the light heavyweight division, coming in second behind Peter Rawluk, who also achieved 312.5 kg, but was slightly lighter than him . At the Pan American Games in Mexico City in 1975 he was able to return the favor to the Cuban Lopez and won the championship with 315 kg. Lopez reached 312.5 kg. He was also used again at the World Championships, which took place in Moscow , but had to recognize there with his performance of 307.5 kg (137.5-170) that he is still far from the actual world elite. World champion was Walery Schary from the USSR , who scored 357.5 kg in a duel.

Lee James switched to the middle heavyweight division after this world championship and was able to record a great leap in performance in this weight class. He was 1976 American champion with 355 kg (160-195) in a duel, defeating Phil Grippaldi , who came to 345 kg, clear. At the Olympic Games in Montreal he was able to increase to 362.5 kg (165–197.5) in a duel and thus surprisingly won behind the outstanding David Rigert from the USSR, 382.5 kg (170–212.5), but before Atanas Schopow from Bulgaria , 360 kg (155–200) the Olympic silver medal .

After these Olympics, Lee James injured his right knee and was unable to start in 1977. In 1978, however, he made a comeback when he was again American middle-heavyweight champion with 355 kg (160-195). He achieved the same performance shortly afterwards at the Friendship Tournament in Moscow , where with this result he finished 2nd behind Adam Saidulajew , USSR, 275 kg.

Shortly afterwards he had knee problems again, which turned out to be so severe that he had to end his weightlifting career, which was actually just beginning, at the age of 25.

International success

year space competition Weight class
1974 1. North American Championship Slightly difficult with 285 kg, before Stark, USA , 282.5 kg u. St.Jean, Canada , 280 kg
1974 2. Pan American Championship Slightly difficult with 300 kg, behind Lopez, Cuba , 302.5 kg, in front of Justiniani, Panama, 285 kg
1974 8th. World Cup in Manila Slightly difficult with 305 kg (137.5–167.5), winner: Trendafil Stojtschew , Bulgaria , 350 kg, ahead of Leif Jensen , Norway , 350 kg
1975 1. Pan American Games in Mexico City Slightly difficult with 315 kg (140-175), before Lopez, 312.5 kg a. Justiniani, 295 kg
1975 13. World Cup in Moscow Slightly difficult with 307.5 kg (137.5–170), winner: Walery Schary , USSR , 357.5 kg ahead of Trendafil Stojtschew, 357.5 kg
1975 3. Pre-Olympic Games in Montreal Medium difficulty with 330 kg (150-180), behind David Rigert , USSR, 377.5 kg u. Jakovou, Greece, 340 kg
1976 silver OS in Montreal Medium difficulty with 362.5 kg (165–197.5), behind David Rigert , 382.5 kg, in front of Atanas Schopow , Bulgaria, 360 kg
1978 2. Friendship tournament in Moscow Medium difficulty at 355 kg (160–195) behind Adam Saidulajew , USSR, 375 kg

World Cup individual medals

  • Silver medal: 1976 / tear / medium difficulty
  • Bronze medal: 1976 / pushing / medium difficulty

American championships

year space Weight class Result
1974 4th Slightly difficult with 300 kg (135-165), behind Tom Hirtz, 307.5 kg, Sam Bigler, 302.5 kg u. Russell Knipp , 302.5 kg
1975 2. Slightly difficult with 312.5 kg (142.5–170), behind Peter Rawluk, 312.5 kg
1976 1. Medium difficulty with 355 kg (160–195), before Phil Grippaldi , 345 kg
1978 1. Medium difficulty with 355 kg (160-195), ahead of Paul Salisbury, 332.5 kg

Explanations

  • all competitions in single combat, consisting of snatch and push,
  • OS = Olympic Games,
  • WM = World Championship,
  • Lightweight, at that time up to 82.5 kg body weight,
  • Medium-heavy weight, then up to 90 kg body weight

swell

  • Trade journal athletics,
  • Website "www.sports-reference.com",
  • Website "www.lifttilyadie.com",
  • Website "www.chidlovski.net"

Web links

personal data
SURNAME James, Lee
ALTERNATIVE NAMES James, Lee Roy
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American weightlifter
DATE OF BIRTH October 31, 1953
PLACE OF BIRTH Gulfport