NY WSO Newsletter: Q2 2026
- jamesamcd
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
Our 2026 second quarter newsletter was emailed to the NY WSO membership on Thursday, July 16th. Because emails through the BARS website are limited to active USA Weightlifting members, the newsletter has also been posted here for those without an active membership.
In this e-mail:
- State Championships
- Volunteers Needed
- State Records
- Weight Class Changes
- USAW Vice Chair
- WSO Committee Changes
- National Championship Recaps
- Scholarship Winners
- NY International
- Stay Connected
We hope you’re having a great summer filled with good food, friends, and family, and of course, plenty of great lifting. We’ve had a busy second quarter and have plenty to share from April, May, and June.
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State Championships
Saturday, September 26th & Sunday, September 27th. The DoubleTree by Hilton Binghamton. We’re just 47 days away from the close of registration for the 2026 NYS Championships, and fewer than 58 spots remain before we reach capacity. A waitlist will open should the meet sell out before Monday, August 21st. If you’re planning to compete, don’t wait to sign up.
Click here for hotel booking information.
Click here to register and read event information.
Volunteers Needed
We are currently looking for volunteers to help at this year’s NYS Championships. An event this size depends on the support of its local community, and we’d love to have you involved. We are seeking help with weigh-ins, marshalling, refereeing, speaking/announcing, loading, and with event set up and breakdown.
Benefits Include:
- Loaders: $20 per session.
- Reimbursement: Available for volunteers working a minimum of 4 sessions. You’ll receive the volunteer room rate of $126 reimbursed back to you post event.
- Full hotel room covered by WSO: Available for volunteers working a minimum of 8 sessions, or an equivalent combination of competition sessions and event setup/breakdown. You’ll be paired with a roommate of the same gender.
Whether you can help for a session or two or the entire weekend, your time and support are greatly appreciated and play an important role in making this event a success. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email james.amcd@yahoo.com.
State Records
We saw 62 state records and record standards broken during the second quarter of the year—25 more than in Q1! The level of lifting across New York continues to rise, and we’re excited to see even more records fall as the 2026 season continues.
A special congratulations goes out to Timothy Luistro, who at this year’s National Championships, set a 97 kg American record snatch for the Masters Men’s 35-39 age group in the 60 kg weight class.
Click here to view current state records.
Weight Class Changes
Beginning August 1, 2026, the new weight classes announced by the International Weightlifting Federation last year will officially take effect.
Senior, Junior, Masters (USAW):
Men: 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 85kg, 95kg, 110kg, +110kg
Women: 49kg, 53kg, 57kg, 61kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, +86kg
Youth:
Men: 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 85kg, 95kg, +95kg
Women: 45kg, 49kg, 53kg, 57kg, 61kg, 69kg, 77kg, +77kg
Following guidance from USA Weightlifting, the NY WSO will continue maintaining state records and record standards for weight classes that remain unchanged. New record standards will be established for all newly created weight classes.
USAW Vice Chair
On April 15, Sara Soto was selected as Vice Chair of the USA Weightlifting Board of Directors.
We’re thrilled to see Sara receive this opportunity and are grateful to have her as a member of our community. She works tirelessly to improve the sport at the local, national, and international levels, and we look forward to seeing all she’ll accomplish in this new role.
Click here to read more.
WSO Committee Changes
On April 28, Joe Rodriguez stepped down from his position as the WSO’s Hudson Valley Regional Representative after more than a decade of dedicated service. Shortly afterward, USA Weightlifting conducted a search that concluded with the appointment of Jemel Kaiser.
We’re incredibly grateful for Joe’s years of service and everything he’s done to strengthen weightlifting in New York. At the same time, we’re excited to welcome Jemel to the committee and look forward to working with him as we continue building an even stronger weightlifting community.
Thank you again, Joe, and welcome aboard, Jemel!
Click here to read Joe’s parting message.
Click here to learn more about Jemel joining the committee.
National Championship Recaps
New York athletes delivered outstanding performances at this year’s National Championship events held throughout April and July. Whether you competed at the Masters, University, Youth, Junior, U25, or Senior National Championships, congratulations on your performances, and thank you for representing our WSO so well.
Click here for April National Championship results.
Click here for July National Championship results.
Scholarship Winners
Congratulations once again to our 2026 Youth and Junior Scholarship recipients! The WSO was proud to support 10 outstanding athletes by covering their entry fees for this year’s National Championships week.
This scholarship program will return next year, with applications opening on January 1, 2027.
Click here to read about this year’s scholarship winners.
NY International
WSO members competed on the international stage in April and May. Qualifying for and competing in international competition is an outstanding accomplishment. Congratulations to Joshua Cruz, Adam Gordon and Alexa Mina!
Joshua Cruz, lifting for Team Puerto Rico, competed in the Torneo Dr. Luigi Memorial 2026 on April 18th. He lifted in the 110 kg category making 5 of 6 lifting attempts. Joshua finished with a 140 kg snatch (matching his PR), a 170 kg clean and jerk, and a 310 kg total PR. A couple weeks later, at the Hudson Valley Regional Open, he improved his snatch to 145 kg and total to 315 kg.
Adam Gordon, lifting for Team Jamaica, competed at the Pan American Championships on April 29th. He lifted in the 94 kg category making 4 of 6 lifting attempts. Adam finished with a 125 kg snatch, a 155 kg clean and jerk, and a 280 kg total – all competition PRs.
Alexa Mina, lifting for Team Lebanon, competed at the Asian Championships on May 15th. She lifted in the 69 kg category making 5 of 6 lifting attempts. Alexa finished with an 87 kg competition snatch PR, a 106 kg clean and jerk, and a 193 kg total.
Congratulations again, Joshua, Adam and Alexa!
Stay Connected
Follow our social media channels to stay in the loop on current events. Tag us in your lifting videos so we can celebrate your lifting success with you!
Facebook:
State & Regional Instagram Pages:
YouTube:Official NY WSO Channel
Thank You,
James McDermott
NY WSO President
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