On Saturday, weight lifting at the Cheryl Haworth Classic was more than a sporting competition.
It was a chance for athletes, both young and old, to shed their differences in the spirit of the challenging sport.
"We have such a wide variety of people here," said Kerri "Coach"
Goodrich, of Performance Initiatives, which staged the event at its
training facility at 2021 Tennessee Ave. "We've got kids from regular
homes. Then, some are adopted, or some are still in foster homes. Being
here really breaks down those differences, and they support each other."
Watch video from the Cheryl Haworth Classic .
The event took place in honor of Savannah's 2000 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time Olympian Cheryl Haworth, and it gave people as young as 6 years old a chance to make their mark on national statistics, Goodrich said.
Andrew Jakubsen, 9, broke his personal best record - 24 kilograms for the snatch and 35 kilograms for the clean and jerk, she said.
Andrew said he developed an interest in the sport after watching his brother, Tayler, lift weights for football practice. He said weight lifting gave him invaluable confidence.
"It also helps me believe in myself," Andrew said after he and the other young lifters were awarded medals of their own by Haworth.
Goodrich said her facility is faith-based and strives to instill values - and she has the results to prove it. For example, last year, one of her pupils was struggling in school. Now, he is getting As and Bs, she said.
After a brief demonstration of her strength and autographing a bevy of Olympic pictures, Haworth sat down to judge some of the young lifters.
She said like Jakubsen, she felt weight lifting gave her purpose in life and set goals that led to her success.
"Anyone can lift weights. It's not the sort of sport where you need specialized equipment," Haworth said.
"That empowers anyone to do it."
Rejuvenated Haworth committed to weightlifting ... for now
