Everyone keeps saying that the Olympics should be about the sheer joy of the athletic competition. Some of the competitors can make you believe it:
“I love my body,” said Mangold, patting her belly with both hands. “I think it’s perfect. I’ll always be a big girl.” By big, Mangold means 5 feet 8 inches, 350 pounds, a super heavyweight in the world of Olympic weightlifting…
In a sport that typically rewards older, more experienced lifters, her Olympic debut comes 3½ years after she entered the world of Olympic weightlifting, and four years ahead of schedule. With athleticism and explosive strength developed playing the offensive line in high school football, Mangold has become something of a weightlifting prodigy, a medal contender while still mastering the technique.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to be in the Olympics,” said Mangold. “I wanted to be in for gymnastics, but my body seemed to disagree with that. Then, I decided to go into weightlifting. It was probably only a year and a half ago when I thought I could actually do this. Everyone thought I was going to 2016. I was the underdog that came through. Now, I’ve got to show that I deserve going to 2012.”…“Weightlifting is so amazing because it’s like a 400-pound golf swing,” she said. “It’s so technical. It looks effortless when you do it right. When you do it wrong, it looks like it’s really, really heavy. When you get a good lift, the bar is literally weightless off your body. Then, you don’t feel it until it hits over your head again. You get that lift maybe one in 100 times. But if you get that lift, you’re chasing that lift for the rest of your life.”…
“What I got out of high school football was like 40 brothers,” said Holley. “They would tease me and we would all tease each other at football practice. But God forbid anyone outside our football team do something and they’d be right there to stop them. That’s what was great. That’s what made me so confident and happy. I didn’t have the normal high school experience that most large women have, that makes them insecure or unhappy. I had lots of friends.”…
Unfortunately, she didn’t medal, but she can’t be called a loser:
LONDON — Holley Mangold posed for photographs with fans on the concourse of ExCel Centre, a splint on her right wrist having replaced the massive ice bag she wore after her Olympic weightlifting finals. She smiled, gave a thumbs-up and warmly greeted everyone, trying to ignore the injurious pain that haunted her on every lift…
Mangold, a U.S. hope in the Olympic women’s 75kg-plus weightlifting competition, finished 10th overall with a total score of 240; her teammate, Sarah Robles, was seventh (265). Mangold was successful on only two of her six attempts in the snatch and clean and jerk, hitting a 105kg (231.5 lbs) and a 135kg (297.6 lbs) respectively.
Two days before leaving for London, Mangold, 22, tore a tendon in her right wrist, and believes she tore it again during the competition. “But I’m having surgery, so I can tear it as much as I want,” she said with a smile.
Add that wrist injury to the injuries in her other wrist — a tear, a bruised bone, and “some sort of pocket of fluid” — as well as a shoulder injury and a knee injury, and Mangold was legitimately concerned she may not complete a lift at the London Olympics…
“It’s difficult dealing with pain. But you want to compete. Nothing short of death keeps you from doing it,” said her brother Nick Mangold, the New York Jets center who flew eight hours to London on Saturday night to watch his little sister’s Olympic debut.
“But it’s the athlete in us that understands there’s going to be pain involved. She could have easily ducked out. But she stuck through it.”
Here’s to cheering for you again in 2016, Holley!
And I hope Holley Mangold gets to speak for Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative, right along side Gabby Douglas. Young girls of all shapes and competencies need a role model, and it sounds like Holley can communicate the joy of moving and striving just for the sake of that joy.
Joel
Even though her brother is a Jet… I think Holley Mangold is awesome.
Corner Stone
I’m a little confused. I’m not a small man physically, at 6’2″ and 210.
Shadow's Mom
I do hope she is asked to promote Let’s Move. My one issue with the campaign has been the focus on ‘obesity.’ More important is healthy eating and regular exercise. Holley Mangold is clear evidence that for some people a healthy body is also a large body.
donnah
Holley is from our town. There’s a local restaurant that opened early so her family, friends and supporters could see her compete on their big screen TV. She and her pro football-playing brother went to Alter High School, and at first he wasn’t going to see her in London, but he ended up getting away from training camp to go.
It’s a shame she was suffering from injuries that kept her from achieving a high score. But she’s young and determined, so I expect to see her back in competition when she’s physically able.
Litlebritdifrnt
I sat in my jammies and watched Andy Murray take the gold this morning. It was glorious. While he couldn’t win Wimbledon during the Jubilee Year he got the gold. My mum said you could hear the whole nation cheering today.
cmorenc
Dang, more power to Holley Mangold! That’s one strong-willed woman, and it sounds as if she’s a hoot to be around when she’s in a playful mood.
danah gaz (fka gaz)
Great story.
“a tear, a bruised bone, and “some sort of pocket of fluid” — as well as a shoulder injury and a knee injury, and Mangold was legitimately concerned she may not complete a lift at the London Olympics”
That would lay the toughest person out. She strikes me as an amazing athlete.
I’m glad to see an inspirational story like this today. Considering some of the other things going on today, it’s nice to have something like this to read about.
lamh35
I’m watching Puss in Boots until NBC finally shows the Men’s 100M and Women’s 400M. I already know the winners, but I don’t have FLASH at work so I was unable to see the events live, so I’m gonna have to once again rely on NBC…UGH!
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@lamh35: Expat Shield is your friend. The BBC coverage is wonderful.
lamh35
any one following this @SikhActivist on twitter? He seems to be giving up to the minute live tweets about the shooting.
sb
I saw her lift–she’s got a lot of potential.
Suffern ACE
Finnish Accordian Wrestling was not everything it was hyped to be.
pseudonymous in nc
Yep. She won’t get on NBC, though.
Fluke bucket
Man her body is gonna hurt like hell constantly in a much shorter time span than she can possibly imagine
Be kinder to yourself sister
Nutella
Let’s all tweet that excellent suggestion to @MichelleObama
Mayken
@Shadow’s Mom: Yes! This!
sb
@pseudonymous in nc: FWIW, they showed her every lift, did a package on her, interviewed her brother… they gave a lot of time to her.
Allen
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: I must agree with the comment about expat shield. Awesome. BBC coverage, more awesome.
sb
@Shadow’s Mom: Maybe she’ll bring the t-shirt that she wore in the NBC profile of her: “Running Sucks”
I lol’d at that one.
She’s young, talented, clearly driven… wouldn’t be surprised at all if she makes some noise four years from now.
Pen
@Fluke bucket: Which is why, as inspirational as she may be, I can’t condone her behavior. Yes she’s a great lifter but she’s destroying her body for sport. That’s not the type of behavior I want to encourage my son (or daughter, if I have one) to emulate.
burnspbesq
Include the Wombat. Abby took a whole bunch of undeserved shit when she first came into the side, for the crime of not being Mia. She’s been a great role model for big girls, not-classically-hot girls, gay girls … the men’s national side could use someone with her toughness in front of goal.
SectarianSofa
“Weightlifting is so amazing because it’s like a 400-pound golf swing”
I don’t do weightlifting, or golf, but I love that description.
She’s a good one — I hope she achieves great success in the future.
pat
I have to think that the muscles can be strengthened to a point that the tendons can never match. I agree with a previous poster that she is going to pay for this later in life. And when we say a 350(?) pound woman is healthy just because she can lift what, (I don’t remember the numbers), I can not agree.
But if that is what she wants to do:
GO HOLLEY!
pseudonymous in nc
@sb:
Credit where due. I’m glad they could fit it in between beach volleyball and another Michael Phelps interview.
Corner Stone
@pseudonymous in nc:
Mmmm…
Brian R.
Nice work with the James Bond retrospective, NBC. Really capturing the essence of the Olympics tonight.
And holy shit, what a coincidence — a trailer for the new Bond movie ran right after it. Wow. What are the odds?
lamh35
Ugh, so they gonna show the same damn semis they already showed just like they did yesterday Fuck you NBC!
Interrobang
@pat: You do realise that a goodly chunk of that 350 pounds is muscle, right, and that muscle is way heavier than fat, right? I’m a 5’6″, 185 lb female weightlifter (even though yes, I have a physical disability, I do it anyway) and, while I’m not anywhere near that strong, I do only have less than 35% body fat (ideal for a woman is 25-28%). Even still, I’m big, busty, and very round…and I can crank some pretty serious weight for my size. (I can lift 125 pounds just with my grip/forearms.)
Aside from some chronic conditions, I’m also very healthy — vital statistics good, no cholestrol problems, et cetera. There’s no reason to think she isn’t exactly the same way, particularly if she eats well and does other exercise besides lifting.
Funnily enough, lifting weights and exercising helps with my chronic pain. In particular, lifting is better stretching for my spastic muscles than normal stretching could ever be. She’s young enough that her injuries aren’t too worrysome yet, but she should get out of competition by her late 20s or so.
pseudonymous in nc
@Brian R.:
NBC is doing a very good job of serving its customers. Who are very much not the same as its viewers.
Shadows mom
@Interrobang: I understand your point, but offer a correction. Muscle is not heavier than fat, it is more dense. That is, a pound of muscle takes less area than a pound of fat.
It is a common misconception that a fat person is, by definition, unhealthy. Some people are large by genetics. Note that holley said ‘her body did not cooperate.’ rather than shaming them for being large, we should encourage everyone to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly,and accept themselves.
geg6
@Pen:
Jeebus fucking Christ. WTF is wrong with being an athlete? I have many old injuries from my younger days of competing in swimming, diving and gymnastics which, now that I’m in my fifties, I feel quite acutely on certain days. But I wouldn’t trade the benefits I received by being an athlete for not having arthritis in my neck, knees and feet. I learned many things through athletics that I would not have learned otherwise. And just so you don’t misunderstand me, I also competed in academic games, the chess club, debate and mock court. Taking your body to the limit is just as much a joy and challenge as taking my mind to the limit with the added benefit of providing me wiu the tools to live a healthy and active life. I control my arthritis better through exercise than through any medical interventions I’ve tried. Discouraging your children from participating in sports does them no favors and may actually do them a disservice, IMHO.
Corner Stone
@eegeg6: What an unmitigated douchebag you are.
NotMax
22? Could well still be on her parents’ insurance. She’s gonna need the ACA’s guarantee of coverage for pre-existing conditions when she gets her own health insurance policy.
And I disagree with saying she “can’t be called a loser.” She succumbed to the pressure of the moment to override both evidence and sense to knowingly make an unwise decision which will physically adversely affect her for many decades. If she truly “loved” her body she would treat it with more deference and respect.
geg6
@Corner Stone:
LOL! You have the balls to say that to me? You of all people? GTFO.
You were probably the last one picked for any team. Based on general douchiness, if nothing else.
Corner Stone
@eegeg6: Beyond all the general imaginary douchiness you post here, you’re saying it’s somehow a plus to cause major damage to your body in your 20’s? That makes your life more fulfilling later when you’re dealing with arthritis, etc later?
You’re a tiny little person with a big imagination. Nothing you say here is true.
Comrade Scrutinizer
@Corner Stone:
Do you practice being a shithead, or is it a natural gift?
Corner Stone
@Comrade Scrutinizer: Like any supreme talent, I am preternaturally gifted AND I work my tiny little balls off to perfect my gifts.
You can’t achieve the level I am at by just resting on your laurels. You gotta push the envelope every day.
gwangung
@Corner Stone: With the same amount of self-inflicted harm, I see.
Sigh.
burnspbesq
@Corner Stone:
Which you do.
WaterGirl
Anne Laurie, do you know that wonkie has found a home for the black & white kitty and is trying to contact you?
burnspbesq
@Pen:
And yet, you’ll more than likely join the tens of millions of Americans who spend every Sunday from September to February watching large young men turn their brains to mush.
Pen
@burnspbesq: And you presume this why, exactly? I played football in HS, boxed in college, and lifted weights the whole time. I work a physically demanding management job and feel about 15 years older than I should for my age. I never pursued either sport professionally or in any semi-pro settings so I got out before the cumulative injuries got too bad. I know guys who didn’t, and I can’t watch either sport without grimacing.
People are more than free to pursue whatever value they derive from sports, but my son will be taught the physiological costs of any sport he pursues before he’s allowed to participate. Does that make me too strict? Possibly, but given that I’ve already lived that life it’s my duty as a parent to ensure my son’s safety, or at least awareness, of cumulative injuries I know come par for the course.
BUt, as I said, Mangold’s doing what she loves and she’s damn good at it. She deserves every bit of praise she’s getting. That still doesn’t change the fact that when I read about someone her age stating things like “but I’m having surgery, so I can tear it as much as I want” I can’t help but shake my head. We place too much value on sports, and no 22 year old should have the injuries she does.
R-Jud
I know this thread is way dead, but it irks me that Mangold is getting all the press while Sarah Robles is the superior lifter and an inspiring hard-luck story:
The Strongest Woman In America Lives In Poverty.
Cassidy
@R-Jud: They showcased her on the nightly news last night. Hell, the report is coming out that Gabby Douglas’s mother has filed for bankruptcy. That’s the real toll of these sports.
I’m with Pen on teaching kids the physical costs in that I’ll only allow my kids to play certain sports. Football is out. Soccer is out. Lacrosse is out. And as much as I love them, the only combat sport I’ll let my kids compete in is JJ/ BJJ. No wrestling, no boxing, no kickboxing.
That aside, the bigger issue is how goddamn expensive it is to keep kids active and healthy. I’ve spent almost 5K this summer sending my kids to the Y for summer camp. Not only was it the cheapest option, but it was the only one with guaranteed physical activity for a majority of the day. It’s ridiculous how much of a drain it is just to keep children engaged and physically active.
R-Jud
@Cassidy:
This is what’s freaking me out as my daughter approaches school age. Right now there’s a ton of free or cheap stuff she can do, but once she passes age five, everything becomes significantly more expensive.
Donald
“he only combat sport I’ll let my kids compete in is JJ/ BJJ. No wrestling, no boxing, no kickboxing.”
I understand the problems with boxing and kickboxing (brain damage), but what goes wrong with wrestling and why is it worse than jujitsu? Just asking out of honest ignorance–I don’t have any wrestling background or emotional stake in the answer.
Paul in KY
She’s a tough lady, but I do think she could probably get in a little better shape aerobically & it would probably help her weightlifting.