American Weightlifter Hampton Morris (61KG) Makes History: First World Record Clean & Jerk (176KG) in Over 50 Years

American weightlifter Hampton Morris made history on Apr. 2, 2024, during the 2024 IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand. Morris, 20, put the United States back into the Senior world record books for the first time in over 50 years when he clean & jerked 176 kilograms, or 388 pounds.

This historic achievement comes at the tail end of a long and grueling qualification period for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Cup, which runs from Mar. 31 to Apr. 11, is the final qualifying event ahead of this summer’s Olympics — and Morris just punched his ticket.

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Despite an unprecedented performance during the clean & jerks, Morris placed second overall in the 61-kilogram category at the Cup. Here’s a breakdown of his lifts on the day:

Hampton Morris 2024 IWF World Cup

Snatch: 124, 127, 130x

Clean & Jerk: 169x, 172, 176 | Junior World Record, World Record

Total: 303

The gold medal in this category went to Chinese athlete and 2020 Olympic Champion Li Fabin. Fabin also advanced his own world record in the snatch by a single kilogram when he lifted 146 on his third attempt.

Credit: Brian Oliver

Morris Makes History

Since his debut on the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) platform in 2018 as a Youth athlete, Morris has quickly risen up as the States’ next great American talent. He’s claimed and advanced the Junior world record clean & jerks several times over.

Here’s a breakdown of his trajectory in the Total as a 61-kilogram athlete in the IWF since his debut:

2019 Pan American Youth Championships: 243

2020 Pan American Junior Championships: 267

2021 Youth World Championships: 276

2022 Pan American Championships: 279

2023 IWF Grand Prix I: 290

2023 IWF Grand Prix II: 292

2024 IWF World Cup: 303

Prior to Morris, the last American to hold a Senior-level world record in the sport of weightlifting was Bob Bednarski in 1969.

Credit: Jessie Johnson / @barbellstories

With a lifetime best performance in Phuket under his belt, Morris advanced to the number-two position in the world in the 61-kilogram category (behind Fabin). When the Olympic torch is lit in Paris this August, you can bet that Morris will march straight toward the podium.