David Mercer (weightlifter)

David Mercer ( born April 16, 1961 in Salford ) is a former English weightlifter.

Sporting career

Mercer launched internationally for the first time at the World Championships in Moscow in 1983. In the Middle heavyweight to 90 kg, it was 330.0 kg ( 142.5 / 187.5 kg ) realized in a duel that finished 14th place. The winner Blagoj Blagoev achieved with 417.5 kg 87.5 kg more.

With this performance, a podium finish at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles seemed unlikely, but an increase Mercers on 352.5 kg ( 157.5 / 195.0 kg ) and the Olympic boycott of the Eastern States enabled him to win the bronze medal. Without the lift of the Soviet Union and Bulgaria, above all Jurik Vardanyan, Victor Solodow and Blagoev, the field was so weak that Mercer's power was sufficient in order to place behind Nicu Vlad with 397.5 kg and Petre Dumitru 360.0 kg. Since the Olympics at the same time represented the World Championships this year, Mercer also won world championship bronze in single combat, and in the snatch.

Such success did not succeed in Mercer during his career. 1985 and 1987 he took part in the World Championships, but could with 330.0 kg ( 145.0 / 185.0 kg ) and 355.0 kg ( 160.0 / 195.0 kg ) only place in midfield. His last international match played Mercer in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, where he ( 157.5 / 200.0 kg ) finished sixth with 357.5 kg. The winner was Anatoli Chrapaty with 412.5 kg.

Personal best

• Tear: 160.0 kg in class up to 90 kg in 1987 at the World Championships in Ostrava
• Launched: 200.0 kg in the 90 kg class at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul
• Duel: 357.5 kg ( 157.5 / 200.0 kg ) in the class up to 90 kg at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul