"Where the fun never ends!"

Melanie Roach


Background on Mrs. Melanie Kosoff Roach

 Melanie was introduced to gymnastics when she was twelve years old. A relative latecomer to the sport, Melanie excelled quickly and competed in club as a level 8. When the cost became too prohibitive, Melanie moved from Dallas, OR, to Auburn, WA, where she was able to compete in the public school system. A standout at Auburn High School, Melanie’s career took a turn for the worse when she dislocated her elbow her junior year. She went on to compete her senior year with varied success, and eventually had reconstructive surgery to repair her damaged elbow.

Not long after graduation, Melanie was approached by a friend who competed in Olympic Style Weightlifting. Her friend encouraged her to give it a try. At first, Melanie wasn’t interested, but after a while she decided to give it try.

Melanie met Coach John Thrush of the Calpian Weightlifting Club in Sumner, WA, and began training in 1994. After just three months, Melanie qualified for the American Open Championships. She placed third in her first National event. She stepped away from the sport for a while but in 1996, she committed herself to a consistent workout schedule. After two quick years, Melanie claimed the number one ranking over all weight classes, and seemed to be a virtual lock for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.

Injury struck at the worst possible time. Three weeks before the Olympic Team Trials, Melanie injured her back while working out. She withdrew from the competition and watched her teammates compete. Melanie was named to the 2000 Olympic Team Squad, but did not travel to Sydney, Australia.

After much thought and prayer, Melanie decided to unofficially retire from weightlifting and focus on her family and business. Since 2000, Melanie and her husband, Dan, have been quite busy. They have three children, a successful gymnastics business, and Dan is also serving his third term as a Washington State Representative.

One morning in the spring of 2005, Melanie woke her husband and told him that she wanted to return to weightlifting and try to make the Olympics in 2008! After making a few adjustments with schedules and life, Melanie began training again.

In spring of 2006, Melanie qualified for the US National Team, making her comeback feel real. Shortly thereafter, she won bronze at the Pan American Championships in Guatemala. In August, she won her 6th National title and qualified for the World Team.

Melanie cherishes every moment of her comeback. She feels lucky to have the opportunity to make one last run at the Olympics, and she plans on making the most of every opportunity.

• Melanie's Weightlifting Accomplishments

• 2008 Olympics, Beijing, China

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