Ma shares Olympic weightlifting knowledge

IOWA CITY - Olympic weightlifting escorted Jianping Ma all over the world, and he's brought his knowledge of the sport to Eastern Iowa.

The former Chinese Olympian and national team coach makes his home in Cedar Falls, sharing what he knows with area athletes.

Jianping Ma displayed his instruction during an Olympic weight lifting seminar Saturday at Got Strength Gym.

“I love this area,” said Jianping Ma, an instructor in health, physical education and leisure services at the University of Northern Iowa. “The people are friendly. People are working diligently.”

Jianping Ma moved to the United States eight years ago, coming to Iowa in 2007 after working four years with the United States Olympic Education Center. he also is a staff member of United Sport and Athlete, Inc., of Waterloo, which is a non-profit company devoted to the betterment of youth in communities through elite sports programming and designed to bring high level coaching and athletic opportunities to youth regardless of socio-economic status, according to its website.

Jianping Ma, 49, has been involved with weightlifting for more than 30 years. He started weightlifting when he was 16, competing for 11 years. He was a Chinese national team member, winning three international medals. Jianping Ma was a member of China's first Olympic delegation when he competed in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

He then began coaching, leading national teams in China and Seychelles and the U.S. World University Team.

“This was the second time we have had Jianping come down for a class at our gym and every time we learn a ton,” Got Strength Gym owner and strength and conditioning coach Phillip Johnson said in an e-mail. “He is really great.”

Jianping Ma spent more than two hours instructing a class of about 15 people on the intricacies of weightlifting. He addressed a number of lifts, breaking down and demonstrating each exercise. He connected well with his class, exhibiting a mix of humor and encouragement.

“We believe that using the Olympic lifts is the best way to improve our athletes' sport-specific explosiveness,” Johnson said, “and we bring Jianping Ma down because he is one of the best in the country.”

Athletes benefit from Olympic weightlifting, even if their focus in another arena. The techniques and disciplines in Olympic weightlifting can enhance skills for others sports, including football, baseball, soccer and wrestling to name a few.

“Everyone understands now that weight lifting is a sport that influences all sports,” Ma said. “You get more benefits with strength, coordination and everything.”

Watch as Ma instructs and provides technique advice for a snatch pull lift.

Olympic-style weightlifting is becoming more popular in the area, according Jianping Ma. He said many younger athletes are joining in, and lifters have improved since his last visit.

“Two years ago, the first time I saw them, they were like beginners,” Jianping Ma said. “Their techniques were very poor, but now they're doing great. Perfect.”

Students perform technique drills during the seminar.

He has transitioned between the contrast in cultures, living in Cedar Falls after growing up in a town in China's Anhui Province. he's also seen the contrast in attitudes toward weightlifting.

Jianping Ma said weightlifting in China is more of a professional sport. United States athletes take a different path.

“In the U.S., all the weightlifters come from amateurs,” Jianping Ma said. “They have job, school work and they live different.”

The 2008 Summer Olympics were held in Beijing. The Chinese dominated the weightlifting competitions. The medal haul boosted its popularity with fans.

“They admire this,” Jianping Ma said. “They're proud of this, because the people were successful.”

Similarities do exist. Both countries introduce athletes to weightlifting about the same age.

“People usually start around 12 years old,” Jianping Ma said. “Some kids might start at eight, but most start at 12 to 15. In the U.S., it's the same.”

A relationship has formed between China and the U.S., allowing the two Olympic powers to learn from each other.

“I don't work with (the Chinese national team) anymore but I do have a lot of cooperation,” Jianping Ma said. “There is an international exchange between the U.S. and China. We exchange with each other every year.”

Jianping Ma will be leading a group of athletes to China for a summer camp. They will be exposed to professional lifting in China. Currently, 15 people from across the United States and one from Canada are registered, leaving July 19 and returning August 2.

“This is a great opportunity for the athletes to learn more and get more experience,” said Jianping Ma, noting more openings for the trip are available. “They can see exactly the professional training.”

One of the biggest aspects of weightlifting is technique. Jianping Ma said there is a lot of studying that goes along with the physical exertion.

“That's most important,” Jianping Ma said about proper lifting technique. “You have to have the correct training.

“Make sure perfect comes from perfect. You also have to combine it with recovery.”

Ma leads the group in an exercise for the power clean and jerk drill.

Jianping Ma believes the United States has the ability to contend internationally in the future. More work and strong coaching is needed.

“They have a lot of potential in the U.S.,” Jianping Ma said. “Once they get regular training through weight lifting so they could be a good lifter as well. They could become a very strong team.”