Owensboro’s Davis, teammates find success in Youth Pan-American Championships

August 31, 2021 | 12:09 am

Updated August 30, 2021 | 11:19 pm

Photo by Gage Johnson

Owensboro’s Timothy Davis recently represented Team USA in Monterey, Mexico, sweeping gold at the 2021 Youth Pan-American Championships in Olympic weightlifting.

Davis was thrilled to be able to participate, as the young athlete made the team last year but wasn’t able to compete amidst the pandemic.

“I’d made teams before,” Davis said. “I made the Pan-Am Youth World Team last year, but since COVID was happening I didn’t get to go. So this was the first time I was actually able to travel for an international meet this big. It was encouraging finally getting to go and compete and get that experience and get a good meet in before I go to youth worlds in October.”

Davis maintained a high level of intensity cycle after cycle in order to be best prepared for competing in Mexico.

“I had nationals before and I was just training through that,” Davis said. “So for probably 12 weeks I was just training every day and taking the weekends off and then doing a new cycle the next six weeks.”

All of his hard work paid off, as he broke a personal and Pan-American record while grabbing gold in multiple categories.

Davies earned gold in snatch, clean and jerk, and total — while also breaking the Pan-American record in snatch by seven kilograms.

“It was great,” Davis said. “I love weightlifting and the atmosphere was great. Everything felt good that day. I’m happy [with how it went]. All my competitors did good too and getting to stand on top of the podium with the American flag was a great feeling.”

His teammates also did well, as Team USA became the first team to have every single member earn a medal — totaling 43 medals overall.

Fellow teammates Kyle Martin, Jr. and Katherine Estep also broke Youth Pan-American records.

Along with success and new techniques, Davis said one of the most important things he took away from the event was teamwork.

“I mostly learned how much teamwork can help,” Davis said. “The entire team down there, we all became good friends and lifted the morale. Everyone did amazing and we competed well.”

Davis has gotten right back to training and now has his sights set on the World Championships that will take place in Saudi Arabia in October.

August 31, 2021 | 12:09 am

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