[2016 HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS


]


OSCAR CHAPLIN III, DIANA FUHRMAN INDUCTED INTO USAW HALL OF FAME; LAURIE LOPEZ HONORED


By Anna Resman


In the midst of energized sessions at the USA Weightlifting (USAW) National Championships, several important pauses took place during which key members of the USA Weightlifting family were recognized.


First up was two-time Olympian and six-time National Champion Oscar


Chaplin III (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Chaplin is the only U.S. weightlifter in history who has earned a Junior World Championship title. When he repre- sented Team USA in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, he placed twelfth and tenth, respectively. Accompanying Chaplin onstage to accept the award were his parents, Oscar


and Rebecca. The crowd had a good laugh when Rebecca, a retired weightlifter herself, took the trophy from Oscar and enthusiastically raised it overhead. Chaplin’s siblings have also been involved in the sport, and his brother,


Jim Chaplin, was on the Junior World Championships team in 2000 when Chaplin won gold. Chaplin holds a number of American records, including three at the se-


nior level – the snatch (157.5kg) and total for 77kg (342.5kg) category and the snatch (166kg) for 85kg category. He is still very involved today as a coach for Club Blood, Sweat, and Iron in Colorado Springs, Colo., and competes at the masters level. Later in the afternoon, USA Weightlifting’s Director of Programs and Ath-


letic Services, Laurie Lopez (Colorado Springs, Colo.), was caught complete- ly off-guard when she was called on stage. Lopez was recognized for her 19 years of dedicated service to the organization. Spencer Moorman (San Ramon, Calif.) presented Lopez with the award


and reminisced about his first interaction with Lopez over 12 years ago. He was traveling to the Olympic Training center for the first time and became lost in the airport. Lopez’s voice came over the intercom multiple times be- fore Moorman, 13 at the time, realized that he was being called. Soon after, he was connected with Lopez who ensured that he safely made it down to training camp in Colorado Springs. Emphasizing her calm demeanor and unwavering commitment to the


athletes, Moorman affirmed that Lopez truly is the “guardian angel of USA Weightlifting.” She has worn nearly every hat during her time at USA Weight- lifting and continues to help drive the organization forward. The final inductee of the day was Diana Fuhrman (Northridge, Calif.). A


four-time National Champion and member of six World Championships teams, Fuhrman has made a lasting impact on the sport of weightlifting in the United States. Her former coach, Bob Takano (Woodland Hills, Calif.), presented the award. “I never expected the experiment that Takano had with me would turn


into me standing here today,” said Fuhrman. With a 37-year weightlifting career, Fuhrman has seen a lot of changes and growth in the sport over the years. She especially emphasized the advancement of female lifters, as they clearly have a seat at the table today. “I have to thank the crazed men, especially Takano, that challenged me to get up on the platform and do this sport that women just didn’t do back then.”


8 >> USAWEIGHTLIFTING.ORG


DIANA FUHRMAN CELEBRATES AS SHE RECEIVES HER HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AWARD


OSCAR CHAPLIN III, ACCOMPANIED BY PARENTS OSCAR AND REBECCA, ACCEPTS HIS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AWARD


LAURIE LOPEZ RECOGNIZED BY BOARD MEMBER CJ STOCKELL AND USA WEIGHTLIFTING ATHLETE SPENCER MOORMAN (105KG).


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