Eugene Weightlifters Return From Barcelona With Gold Medals

OregonWeightlifting.com

Three Eugene weightlifters have come back from a global competition, with gold.

Melissa Doherty, Holly Arrow, and Mary Colasanto took top honors in their weight and age categories at the World Masters Weightlifting Championships in Barcelona.

On a recent “Think Out Loud” segment, Doherty said her gold medal win is still sinking in.

Melissa Doherty at KLCC.
Credit Brian Bull / KLCC

“I went there with no expectations, you never know who’s going to show up and how intense the competition is going to be," says Doherty.

"You never know how you’re going to lift on that day. I think I realized probably before my last lift, based on how the next closest competitor had done, but it’s a process.  It takes a while to get used to the idea.”

At 56, Doherty says she’ll continue with competitive weightlifting.  She’s also co-owner of Eastside Barbell in Springfield, and works as an ER doctor.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

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Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.