To want an Emily Campbell appreciation thread?

[Badgertadger]

Emily Campbell is the first woman weightlifter from the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team to win an Olympic medal. She's a 27 year old from Nottingham who doesn't get funding, and first picked up a kettle bell 5 years ago and she got a silver medal at the Olympics. (She's also offering hope and athletic potentiality to all women who can't fit into a size 10).

Am I being unreasonable to just want a thread that shines a wee bit of light on her wonderful achievement and leaves the rest of the noise in the shade for a minute? I don't want her achievements to be eclipsed by the actions or inactions of others.

Who agrees we should have an Emily Campbell appreciation thread?

Great achievement but I find female weightlifting absolutely appalling. It looks SO unhealthy! Those poor young women are crippling themselves

A fantastic achievement by Emily and what an inspiration. Her medal was hard earned and well deserved. Go Emily!! 💪🏻

@XelaM

Great achievement but I find female weightlifting absolutely appalling. It looks SO unhealthy! Those poor young women are crippling themselves

Weightlifting is about biomechanics. Think of it as manual handling x1000.

With the right biomechanical movement and technique you'd suprise yourself how much you can lift! I did and now throughly enjoy my hobby of Olympic weightlifting

A correct lift uses the power zone and weight is then distributed through the skeletal frame, and it's the larger muscles of the legs/core that take the strain. The belts are there to support the lumbar the weakest point and keep the spine and lumbar in alignment.

They do suffer knee, shoulder and injuries though like any sport, things go wrong. And yes some injuries are catastrophic I agree with you.

Many retired weightlifters I know male and female however seem to be in ok shape compared to ex gymnasts I know. But that's a small pool of comparison I suppose 😂

It still looks SO painful on the knees especially as they so overweight. Today I noticed the Australian weightlifter not using a belt. First time I have ever seen this. Is this normal?

Wow congratulations to her! Amazing that she’s only been doing it for five years and won a silver medal. I didn’t see her as the only thing we watch is the gymnastics for my dd who loves it, but she sounds a fab role model.

@XelaM

It still looks SO painful on the knees especially as they so overweight. Today I noticed the Australian weightlifter not using a belt. First time I have ever seen this. Is this normal?

Yeah if the weightlifter is happy not to use one, no pull or tension in the lower back they won't use one. Everyone's different.

The heavier the weight though, you will find they use them to stabilise their core and back.

Their weight I can't and won't comment on. If you can snatch 120+ kg over your head you are an athlete regardless of your outward physical appearance.

Lots of the knee bracing is for stability of the knee in the lift also. So you don't want to wobble your knee with 130kg over your head so the strapping helps stabilise the knee joint.

But again injuries, general wear and tare. I mean for these athletes they will be training daily and heavy weights. So they are bound to wear their joints down.

Well done to Emily and all the medal winners
mobile.twitter.com/artofhunger75/status/1422592460438519809

Huge congrats to Emily and her dignified silence in response to that question!

I enjoyed the simple "No thank you" response, I imagine there is little more they are allowed to say on the matter.

I have been watching the sheer joyous reactions from the female winners (have just not seen much of the men's this Olympics) and I'm finding it very inspirational. Sadly the Olympics is not inclusive for everyone and I'm never going to win a gold but I'm enjoying watching women like Emily as role models for our daughters.

She is awesome so joyful. I can’t imagine lifting anything that heavy. I think the sportswear manufacturers who withdraw their offer of sponsorship once they realised her clothes size have missed a trick as it amazing to see an Olympic athlete who looks like you. I think she will inspire so many young girls. I might even take up weightlifting as I have had practice with two toddlers.

So many of the amazing athletes (who especially women) have made it to Tokyo with no funding I hope they do get funding now.

I’ve never thought about lifting weights before… just neglected them in the gym! But daft really. I couldn’t lift b heavy weights my knees are too problematic.

I’m guessing it really improves your upper body strength which is what a lot of women -like me!! - lack!

I'm 55 and have been lifting weights for 2 years. (no sports background) Started olympic lifting with a virtual coach last year. It's fantastic. Also let's remember how good it is for our bone strength as we age. My core is strong now and posture improved massively. I would 100% recommend for anyone