For the first time in 24 years, the United States won a gold medal in weightlifting on Friday thanks to Chattanooga native Olivia Reeves.
The 21-year-old University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student totaled 262 kilograms, which is almost 578 pounds. Reeves also set an Olympic record with a 117 kilogram snatch, which is just under 258 pounds.
Before Friday, the U.S. had not won a gold medal in weightlifting since the 2000 Olympics in Sidney.
Colombia’s Mari Leivis Sanchez won the silver medal medal and Angie Paola Palacios of Ecuador won bronze.