Next month, 200 of the nation’s top male and female weightlifters will head to the Anderson Cohen Weightlifting Center (ACWC) in Savannah for the inaugural Elite Masters Invitational Tournament, hosted by USA Masters.
Over the course of the four-day tournament, athletes will compete in three to four sessions each day, going head-to-head with others in their age groups, which range from 30 to 90 years old, to determine the best of the best.
The tournament begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, and is free and open to the public. Doors will open daily at 7 a.m. for spectators, with the final session of each day beginning around 4 p.m. The final day of competition is Sunday, July 12.
Billy Cortes, Recreational Supervisor at the facility, encourages residents to come be a part of the action and experience an exciting showcase of talent.
“This event is unique because we're bringing some of the best weightlifters in the country to compete in a facility that was specifically built for the sport,” Cortes said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase how athletics can bring a community together.”
Originally built as a training facility for Olympic weightlifters ahead of the 1996 Atlanta Games, ACWC has a long history in the sport. Cortes hopes the tournament will help reconnect the gym with those roots.
“The goal is to reignite Olympic weightlifting in Savannah,” Cortes said. “ACWC has a prestigious name in weightlifting, and we'd like to invite people back in to use the facility for its original purpose.”
Seating will be limited, but there will be plenty of standing room for spectators, Cortes said. He expects people to come and go throughout the day. The gym will be closed to members during the event and reopen on Monday, July 13, at 7 a.m