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Paris Olympics: Hampton Morris wins first U.S. men’s weightlifting medal in 40 years

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Paris Olympics: Hampton Morris wins first U.S. men’s weightlifting medal in 40 years

Hampton Morris celebrates on the podium after the men’s 61kg weightlifting event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris, on August 7, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

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Weightlifter Hampton Morris made history on Wednesday, becoming the first American man to win an Olympic weightlifting medal since 1984. Morris won bronze after hoisting a combined weight of 298 kilograms, while China’s Li Fabin took gold with 310 kg, and Thailand’s Theerapong Silachai took silver with 303kg.

The 20-year-old, 135-pound Morris trains mostly out of his garage at his home, and it’s been a quick rise through the ranks for him, setting 10 world records in the youth, junior and senior age divisions.

“It’s amazing that I’m able to leave that kind of mark in the sport,” Morris said. “I’m just in disbelief.”

Mario Martinez (silver) and Guy Carlton (bronze) last medaled for the United States at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and with the Games heading back to L.A. in 2028, Morris clearly has his mind set on keeping his trend going back on home soil.

“Now all I can hope for is that I can do even better in L.A. in four years,” he said.

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