EMMY VARGAS – Barbarian Barbell

USA Weightlifting National Coach

Emmy began weightlifting under the tutelage of Bob Takano in 1996 to help improve her performance in track & field where she was a scholarship athlete. She quickly developed a love for the sport and began competing. Within a short period of time she became one of the top female weightlifters in the United States and earned a spot as a Resident Athlete at the Olympic Training Center. Emmy had the opportunity to learn from several coaches at the Olympic Training Center and Northern Michigan University including Lyn Jones, Bob “No Mercy” Morris, Lisa Brien, & Ma Jianping. Her approach to coaching and programming can be considered a hybrid of these coaching philosophies.

Emmy competed at the national and international level for eleven years and served on the USA Weightlifting Board of Directors as the United States Olympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council Representative for 8 years (2008-2016). Since her retirement as an athlete in 2008, Emmy’s coaching career includes leading dozens of athletes to national competitions and 6 to international competitions.

Best Competition Lifts (90kg+): 107kg Snatch, 142kg Clean & Jerk, 249kg Total

Competition Highlights

3X Olympic Team Trials Participant
Pan Am Games Silver Medalist
World Championship Team Member
2X University World Championships Silver Medalist
Pan Am Championships Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist
U.S. National Championships Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist
American Open Championships Multiple Gold, Silver & Bronze Medalist

Coaching Highlights

2023 American Open Finals M109kg+ 40-44 Bronze Snatch, C&J, and Total
2023 American Open Finals W76kg 40-44 Silver Snatch, Gold C&J, Silver Total
2023 American Open Finals M73kg 40-44 Silver Snatch, C&J, and Total
2023 American Open Finals M67kg Silver Total
2023 American Open Series II M109kg+ Bronze Snatch, C&J, and Total
2023 American Open Series II W87kg+ Bronze C&J
2023 American Open Series II M102kg 35-39 Silver Snatch, Bronze C&J and Total
2023 American Open Series II M81kg 35-39 Bronze C&J
2023 American Open Series II M81kg 16-17 Silver Snatch, Bronze C&J and Total
2023 American Open Series II M67kg Bronze Snatch, Silver C&J Total
2023 Masters Nationals Champion M109kg 40-44 Silver Snatch, Gold C&J and Total
2023 American Open Series I, Silver Snatch, Gold C&J, Silver Total M73kg 40-44
2022 Masters World Champion W81kg 55-59 World Record C&J
2022 American Open Finals Champion M109kg 40-44
2022 American Open Finals, Silver Snatch/C&J/Total W76kg 40-44
2022 Under 25 Nationals Gold C&J, Silver Snatch/Total W49kg
2022 Masters Nationals M96kg 35-39 Bronze Snatch, Silver C&J and Total
2022 Masters National Champion M109kg 40-44 American Record C&J and Total
2022 Masters National Champion W81kg 55-59 American Record C&J and Total
2022 Masters National Champion M40 102kg
2021 American Masters Overall Best Lifters Men’s and Women’s 40-44
2021 American Masters Champion W40 71kg American Record C&J
2021 American Masters Champion M40 109kg
2021 University Nationals Bronze Snatch, Silver C&J/Total M67kg
2021 Masters World Champion W81kg 40-44
2020 University World Team W87kg
2020 University National Champ, Gold Snatch/C&J/Total W81kg
2020 University National Champ, Gold Snatch/C&J/Total M67kg
2020 Masters Pan Ams Silver Snatch/C&J/Total W76kg 40-44
2019 American Open Finals Bronze Snatch/Total, Silver C&J W81kg
2019 San Diego International Open Bronze Total W81kg
2019 Masters World Cup Champion W81kg 35-39
2019 Masters World Champion M102kg 40-44
2019 Masters Worlds Bronze W76kg 35-39
2019 American Open Series 2 Champion W87kg
2019 Senior Nationals Bronze Snatch W87kg
2019 University National Champ, Gold Snatch/C&J/Total W87kg
2019 Under 25 National Champ, Gold Snatch/C&J/Total W87kg
2019 University Nationals Silver C&J, Bronze Snatch/Total M67kg
2019 Masters National Champ American Record C&J & Total, Gold Snatch/C&J/Total M102kg 40-44
2019 Masters Nationals Silver C&J, Bronze Total W76kg 35-39
2019 Masters Nationals Bronze C&J/Total W71kg 40-44
2018 AO Series 3 Gold Total M102kg 35-39
2018 AO Series 2 Bronze C&J W87kg
2018 AO Series 2 Gold Total W75kg 35-39
2018 University National Champ W90kg
2018 Junior Nationals Silver Snatch/C&J/Total W90kg
2017 Masters National Champ M105kg 35-39
2017 Masters Nationals Bronze Total W75kg 35-39
2015 American Open Silver Snatch W69kg
2009 Senior Nationals Bronze Total W58kg
2009 Collegiate Nationals Silver Total W75kg+
2009 Youth National Champion & Best Lifter
2009 Masters World Champions, 60-64 & 65-69