ERIKA YAMASAKI – 48kg & 53kg, U20 lifter

Born: 2nd September, 1987 - Darwin NT
Lives: Upper Mt Gravatt, Brisbane QLD
Club: Cougars Weightlifting Club
Coach:  Lyn Jones.
Occupation: Bartender

Best Lifts: 75kg Snatch, 95kg Clean and Jerk, 168kg Total -   Detailed Statistics

Video Footage:  42.5Kg Snatch, 53.5Kg Clean and Jerk, 57.5Kg Clean and Jerk, 47.5Kg Snatch, 63Kg Clean and Jerk, 70Kg Clean and Jerk, 77.5Kg Clean and Jerk, 62.5Kg Snatch, 70Kg Snatch,  87.5Kg Clean and Jerk

Career Highlights:
- 2006 Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist
- 2005 Commonwealth Games Trials Competitor
- 2005 Commonwealth Championships Bronze Medalist
- 2005 Oceania Silver Medalist
- 2005 Mermet Cup International Gold Medalist
- 2005 Junior World Representative
- 2005 U18, U20 and Open National Champion & Best Lifter
- 2005 Olympic Youth Games Representative & Torch Bearer
- 2004 Youth Commonwealth Games Champion
- 2004 QLD 2000 Overall Winner
- 2004 QWA League Overall Winner
- 2004 World Junior Representative
- 2004 Silver Medalist Junior Oceania Championships
- 2004 National U18, U20 and Open Gold Medalist
- Silver Medalist 2003 Junior Oceania Championships
- 2003 Best Lifter 2003 U16 Championships
- 2002 National U16, U18 and Open silver Medalist
- 2002 QWA League Overall Winner
- 2002 National U20 Gold Medalist
- Currently hold 23 QLD Records
- Currently hold 15 Australian Records

How and Why Did You Start Weightlifting?
Scott Robinson came to my school for a TID testing and I was selected. I did stop but Scott convinced me to have another go, so I did and I loved it.

Best Moment In The Sport?
Winning the bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games and being the first Medallist for Australia!!

Worst Moment In The Sport?
Anytime I have an injury…sets my goals back a bit :(

Person You Most Admire in Weightlifting?
Most of all the people I train with, without their support, training would be boring.

Favourite  Exercise?
Squats and Snatches

Least Favourite Exercise?
Pulls

Favourite Venue To Compete?
On most stages in front of a good crowd, usually makes a good atmosphere

How many hours do you train per week?
10- 15

Brothers/Sisters, How Many?
John Yamasaki - 20yrs old

Single/Married?
Single

Favourite Music?
Many different types, but to sum it up…any music with a good beat and music that has meaning!

Favourite Movie?
The Replacements, Adam Sandler Movies

Favourite Food ?
Ice-cream, Chocolate, Mexican and Chinese.

Favourite Book?
I don't read much but there is this really good psychology book!

Do You Compete In Other Sports?
I used to do Gymnastics and Trampolining

What Do You Do When Not Training To Relax/Favourite Pastime?
Dance and Go out! Anything that is fun:)