The weight

RENO, NEVADA — Ryan Hansen and Ben Chianchiano, representing Intrepid Strength and Conditioning and the Warwick Weightlifting Club, competed last week in Reno, Nevada.

They both recently qualified for the American Open Weightlifting Championships, which took place on Dec. 3-6 in Reno.

Chianchiano qualified for the American Open in the 85kg (187 lbs.) weight class by Snatching 115kg (253 lbs.) and clean and jerking 140kg (308 lbs.).

Hansen, owner of Intrepid Strength and Conditioning, qualified in the 105kg (231 lbs.) weight class, snatching 120kg (262 lbs.) and clean and jerking 163kg (358 lbs.).

An Olympic sportHansen explained that the sport of weightlifting, which is an Olympic sport, consists of the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk.

"You have three attempts to lift the most weight in each lift," he said. "The Snatch goes from the ground to overhead. The Clean is from the ground to the shoulder then jerked from the shoulder to overhead."

The Warwick weightlifting club trains and competes as a team in the sport. The club has weightlifters of all ages.

From 12 to 63Currently the oldest lifter is 63 and the youngest is 12.

Peter VanDewater, a USA Weightlifting Level 2 coach with years of experience, coaches the club.

Intrepid Strength and Conditioning, a 5,000 square foot training facility, at 77 Forester Ave., is the home of CrossFit Warwick, Warwick Weightlifting Club, Intrepid Boot Camp and Powerlifting.

Essential informationAnyone interested in joining the Warwick Weightlifting Club or learning more about the sport should contact Hansen at Ryan@crossfitwarwick.com or call 845-986-7800.

For additional information about other Intrepid Strength and Conditioning programs visit www.crossfitwarwick.com

- Roger Gavan