Angela Hopper

Cheryl Haworth | Weightlifting Champion

The weight of a becoming an international athlete as a teenager never fazed the Olympian, who won a bronze at in Sydney in 2000 and placed sixth in Athens in 2004. Her explosive combination of strength and speed has taken her from Finland to Thailand and even the Arctic Circle, though she counts Central America as her favorite place to compete.

“The equipment’s not the best, but there’s a commitment to the sport there that’s unsurpassed. Plus, I like really good food!”

Also a SCAD grad and gifted artist, Cheryl remains an ardent ambassador for her sport on her travels and at home.

“Whether you’re young or old, there are huge benefits to lifting weights.” The woman Wikipedia calls “the strongest woman in the U.S.” trains at Performance Initiatives in Garden City and recently garnered her 11^th national title.

We wish her the best at the Olympic trials May 17!

~Jessica Leigh Lebos