Olivia Reeves made it into the weightlifting history books on Friday.

The 21-year-old lifted a record 117 kg in the final of the 71 kg class and added a clean and jerk of 145 kg to secure the gold medal – the USA’s first victory in the event since 2000.

However, the American strength athlete wanted more.

On her final clean and jerk attempt, Reeves attempted 150 kg – another Olympic record – but stumbled and failed the attempt.

With a total score of 262, she surpassed silver medalist Mari Leivis Sanchez of Colombia, who lifted 257 kg, while Angie Paola Palacios Dajomes of Ecuador took the top three places with a performance of 256 kg.

“I’ve heard the national anthem before. I’ve been on the podium before,” she said after tears welled up in her eyes during her medal ceremony. “But this is the Olympics, and being here, being an Olympic champion, hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m not entirely sure, but I’m trying to process it.”

Reeves entered the competition as a crowd favorite and the best-ranked weightlifter in the field. China’s Liao Guifang, the 2023 world champion in the 71 kg class, did not compete in Paris “because there are restrictions on registration with the National Olympic Committee in weightlifting.”

North Korean Song Kuk Hyang, the world number 1, was also missing.

Reeves, who attends the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, entered the competition with extensive fitness experience.

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Her parents own a CrossFit gym and she holds a whopping 15 American records in the youth, junior and senior categories.

However, this was a completely different situation for the Texan.

“Feeling the weight of this competition is different than the others,” she said. “I somehow knew there would be tears, good or bad.”

“I hope this can inspire any young girl who wants to do this. I think being a representative of this sport means a lot and I’m proud to have this role,” Reeves said.

Previously, Hampton Morris had given the men’s team its first medal in weightlifting in 40 years at the Paris Games.

There will be four more weightlifting competitions over the next two days.