For the Reporter

Auburn’s Harrison Maurus set a youth world and six American records at the International Weightlifting Federation World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, Calif., last Saturday.

Maurus, 17, captured bronze medals in the snatch lift and total category, ending the Team USA men’s 20-year-long medal drought at the world championships.

Maurus completed four of his five attempted lifts in the men’s 77-kilogram (169.75-pound) weight category.

In the snatch, Maurus went 2 for 3, lifting 330.69 pounds then 341.71 pounds. He missed his final attempt at 350.53 pounds. In the clean and jerk, Maurus made both of his attempts. He first lifted 412.76 pounds then 425.49 pounds, setting a youth world record. Maurus broke his own mark of 423.28 pounds, which he set while winning the 2017 Youth World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand on April 8.

“It’s not only cool to get the medals, but to get into the history books,” Maurus said. “It gives other athletes something to strive for.”

Maurus is affiliated with Alpha Strength and Conditioning, a USA Weightlifting-sanctioned club.

“This was an amazing session,” said Kevin Simons, Maurus’ hometown coach. “This is surreal. I started working with Harrison when he was 10 years old, a little boy. Now one of he’s one of the greatest American weightlifters of his generation.”

“The weightlifting gods were smiling on us,” said USA Weightlifting National Team Coach Mike Gattone. “We needed 1 kilogram for the world record, and one for a medal. It worked perfectly.”

Maurus’ combined total of 767.27 pounds broke youth, junior and senior American records. A leg cramp prevented his third clean and jerk attempt.