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Gwen Chamberlin

@gschamberlin

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Masters Weightlifter 🏋️‍♀️
USAW L2 Coach
IWF Cat2 Referee
USAW IL WSO President
USAW Masters Coucil

Adopted by @schnitz_and_morris_the_cats

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From our first Mid Ams back in 2017 to the latest this past weekend, @jimmcginnes @summit.barbell has always been in my corner. He’s been there as a coach, mentor and friend. Thanks is such an inadequate word. Happy Coaches Day! by @gschamberlin

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11 days ago

Much of my contribution to Illinois weightlifting happens behind the scenes, often in ways people may not even realize. I’m happy to do it because this sport has given me so much personal satisfaction, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to support it at the club, state, and national levels. My hope is that others can discover the same joy in weightlifting—even if, let’s be honest, tue sport comes with plenty of frustration too 😊

Working with @jimmcginnes and @mgattone64 over the past few weeks on the 2026 Mid-American Championship was such a rewarding partnership. Thank you both for your collaboration, dedication, and support—you truly rock!

This past weekend was a wonderful reminder of why all this work is so worthwhile.

I loved seeing first-time youth lifters have so much fun competing, catching up with old friends I hadn’t seen in a while, and watching athletes return to the platform after an injury and crush it. I was grateful to meet new community members who noticed something that needed to be done and simply stepped in to help. Watching everyone come together to tear down the venue in record time was like seeing a wave of superheroes swoop in and get it done. And hearing the whole gym cheer for an athlete who was struggling was truly special. The list of meaningful moments goes on and on.

Thank you for trusting me to do this work and for letting me share in your joy and passion for the sport. I’m truly grateful to be part of this community. I hope I see everyone at our next local event!

@summit.barbell
@forzaweightlifting
@illinois_weightlifting
@usa_weightlifting by @gschamberlin

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12 days ago

And just like that, the 2026 Mid American Championships are in the books.

First, thank you to every lifter and coach who trusted Forza and Summit to host this meet. We never take for granted the responsibility of providing the platform for all the work you’ve put in.

To our volunteers — especially our loaders — thank you. Session after session, you kept things moving and made sure every base was covered.

Thank you to everyone who stayed after the last barbell dropped to help tear everything down. And a special thank you to Jon and Emma @stsweightlifting , who followed us back to storage and helped Gwen and me unload the WSO competition platform and equipment after a very long weekend. You saved us.

To every friend, family member, teammate and spectator who showed up, made noise and supported our lifters — thank you.

More than anything, this weekend reminded me just how special the Chicagoland weightlifting community is.

Different clubs. Different coaches. Different athletes. We compete against each other, but when something needs to get done, everyone pitches in. Someone loads a bar. Someone moves a table. Someone stays late to tear down. Someone cheers just as loudly for an athlete from another club as they do for their own.

That’s a community.

Getting to collaborate with @mgattone64 on this championship was second to none. And I can’t say enough about @gschamberlin, who does an incredible amount behind the scenes to make a weekend like this possible.

You finish a meet like this absolutely exhausted. Then you see the smiles on the faces of the athletes walking off the platform — after a PR, a medal, a 6-for-6 day, or simply having the courage to compete — and you’re reminded why you do it.

It’s worth it.

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of this community.

Thank you, Chicagoland weightlifting. 🏋️❤️ by @gschamberlin

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13 days ago

Ready for 51st annual Mid American Weightlifting Championships @illinois_weightlifting @summit.barbell @gschamberlin @forzaweightlifting taken in CrossFit Freedom by @gschamberlin

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15 days ago

Last week I did another thing - competition #60. It was one of those rare ones where I just knew going in I was going to make all my lifts. ( OK, the prospect of a 6-6 cowboy hat helped).

✅ 6-6
🥇🥇🥇Snatch / CJ / Total
🏋️‍♀️Snatch National Record
✅ One step closer to a USAW Masters Triple Crown

Thanks to @summit.barbell @jimmcginnes for all his friendship and support.

Special thanks to @michaelichoi for being my event coach. You are awesome!

And can't forget @noctismedia_ for the amazing pics. Your pics tell a great story. taken in Fort Worth Convention Center by @gschamberlin

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a month ago

Be part of the longest continually running Weightlfting Competition in the country. 51 meets and counting …

Don’t forget to register for 2026 MidAms before registration closes Sunday 9/20.

Can’t compete ? All local sporting events cannot happen without volunteers. Sign up for a session ( or 2) and get the best seat in the house to watch the action. Some positions require a valiD USAW Refferee certifications but other positions simpy require a willingness to learn.

Links to register or volunteer in bio. taken in CrossFit Freedom by @gschamberlin

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a month ago

This, Sydney, is women’s sports. And we have been doing them for a long time. by @gschamberlin

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a month ago

Records for the new weight classes are out and there are many that are zero or a standard. Want to see what you can do?

Mid American Championships are 4weeks away. Register now before it fills up and participate in the longest continuously running meet in the country !

Registration link in bio. taken in CrossFit Freedom by @gschamberlin

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a month ago

Had a great weekend. Lifted some weights, coached and saw old friends. Lifting at low key local meets helps me remember why I love the grassroots of this sport.

As always, thanks @summit.barbell for the support and always having my back.

Thanks @sayrepark.wlc for a fun event! taken in SayrePark WeightliftingClub by @gschamberlin

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3 months ago

Last training session done. Time to have some fun tomorrow.

I don’t often lift in local meets so it’s a treat to be able to lift in Chicago. Located in @chicagoparks Rutherford Sayre Park the @sayrepark.wlc is one of the oldest weightlifting clubs in the country.

Come watch us lift. My sessions begins at 8:15am tomorrow morning.

@summit.barbell @illinois_weightlifting by @gschamberlin

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3 months ago

Pretty happy I finally jerked 60 again. First time in over 2y. Now all I need to do is clean it 🤪

@summit.barbell by @gschamberlin

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4 months ago

Family by @gschamberlin

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4 months ago