2-time Olympian Wes Kitts Leaves Shoes on Platform in Colombia, Signaling Retirement

CALI, Colombia – Wes Kitts left his shoes on the platform at his seventh Pan American Championships, marking the end of an incredible weightlifting career. The bar was loaded to his American snatch record of 177 kg when Kitts took the platform and unlaced his shoes. 

Kitts has represented the United States at 19 international competitions over his 12-year career. He finished top-ten at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and represented the United States at five IWF World Championships. He won the 2019 Pan American Games and added three Pan American Championships titles (2018, 2019, 2023). Kitts has earned 12 Pan American Championships medals over his career, tied for the fourth-most of any American since 2008. He is also a three-time National Champion (2016, 2020, 2022). 

Kitts will retire with five American records to his name. He set the 102 kg snatch (177 kg) and total (388 kg) records at the 2023 Grand Prix I in Havana, Cuba. He set the 109 kg American snatch record (177 kg) at Tokyo 2020, and the clean & jerk (223 kg) and total (399 kg) records at the 2019 Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala. 

On what went into the decision to retire today…

“Truthfully, I was ready to go. I wasn't really done, but I didn't really get a choice this time. I have to do what's right for me and my family and that means weightlifting is over for now.”

On what comes to the top of his mind when he thinks about his weightlifting memories… 

“It was a good run. I had a blast at these things for sure. Like I said, I’d really love to keep the train rolling. Winning golds at Pan Ams is something I love. I love competing. So hey, it's over, but it is what it is.”