Two-time U.S. Olympian Wes Kitts from Knoxville, Tennessee opens the seminar by explaining the fundamentals of Olympic weightlifting to a group of eager young athletes. He emphasizes discipline, posture and mindset as the foundation for the training ahead.
This photo gallery captures the behind-the-scenes at a youth Olympic weightlifting seminar at the Three White Lights Gym in Opa-locka. It was led by Wes Kitts, a two-time U.S. Olympian and three-time Pan American Weightlifting Championship gold medalist.
Young athletes from across South Florida learned what it means to train like professionals. There were moments of intensity, encouragement and transformation in pursuit of progress. They happened one lift at a time.
Kitts demonstrates the clean position by using a barbell to break down each step with precision. This moment shows how world-class technique begins with mastering the basics.A group watches and takes mental notes while another group lifts. Their focus reflects a deep respect for the sport.Kitts makes time for individual coaching where he guides the lifters with certain adjustments. The athletes learn through repetition and detailed feedback during the seminar.Two young women begin barbell drills with assistance and guidance. These reps lay the groundwork for safe and powerful lifts that prove how form beats ego in Olympic lifting.Allison Rebustillo has been lifting for one year and is in the top 10 female junior lifters in the country. She has a background in gymnastics and sets every rep with intense concentration. Every hand placement and foot angle is intentional throughout the process. Rebustillo nails her clean and jerks with full extension overhead that she successfully built on exact repetition. This is the payoff moment where technical mastery and physical strength come together under pressure. Rebustillo receives a congratulatory fist bump after a successful lift. In Olympic weightlifting culture these shared moments of recognition between lifters and coaches are as valuable as any medal when building a sense of community. Coach Paul Behar who has been lifting for seven years and hopes to break a personal record. Accomplishing these goals is a representation of growth and hard work paying off.Behar gets direct feedback and support from Wes on how to improve his lift. This moment reflects the heart of the seminar with elite mentorship and technical guidance.Behar is determined to improve and goes back again taking in all the advice on how to become a better lifter.The training floor is alive with movement coaching, chalking and loading plates. Athletes cheer each other on and create a healthy culture that keeps people in the sport long-term.
Alejandra Fonseca is a junior majoring in digital communications and journalism. After her studies, she wishes to pursue a career in the entertainment field.
Cassandra Martinez is a digital journalism student with a focus on sports. A competitor in Olympic weightlifting at the national level and the lead commentator for the United Grid League, she combines storytelling skills with an athletic background to blend advanced insight with engaging narratives. She hopes to engage a diverse audience that can relate to the average sports media consumer and appeal to the masses on a human-interest level.
