As amateur and professional weightlifters converge on Sin City for the inaugural meet of the American Weightlifting Federation, Floelite staff are ready to bring viewers LIVE coverage of the two-day event, which takes place Jan. 16-17 at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Here are five reasons to skip work Friday, and maybe your workout Saturday, to tune in.

 

5. The Grand Open marks the official launch of the newly formed American Weightlifting Federation.

 

Founded by weightlifter Jon North, the AWF is a nonprofit organization aimed at growing the sport of weightlifting by fostering a community through membership and competitions for lifters of all skill levels.

 

“We’re making history here,” North said. “This will be the very first function we do. This is the birth of the AWF.”

 

4. The competition features record holders and first-time competitors.

 

According to North, more than 50 percent of the starting lineup are competition newbies, but familiar faces will step onto the platform. 

 

Olympic hopeful and 2013 American Open bronze medalist Suzy Sanchez will compete in the women’s senior 48-kilogram weight class and up-and-coming weightlifting prodigy Angelo Bianco will compete in the men’s 85-kg weight class.

 

“I’m excited to see everybody lift,” North said. “It’s not just about the heavy swingers. I don’t care if you are lifting for the first time in a competition or setting a new American record, I’m going to be just as jacked up.”

 

3. North and Patrick Mendes face off in the men’s 105+ kilogram class.

Two-time national champion Pat Mendes will compete for the men’s heavyweight class, going head-to-head against North.

 

“I can’t wait to see athletes like Pat Mendes get beat by athletes like myself,” North said, laughing. “I’m extremely excited to see him lift.”

 

The rivalry between North and Mendes has been well documented, the latest showdown taking place in November at Average Broz’s Gym in Las Vegas.

 

“I’ve traveled the world trying to hunt down people that will push me,” North said in the video. “Pat Mendes is a better weightlifter than me, that’s why I’m training with him.”

 

2. Vegas.

 

The high-octane Grand Open takes place in the heart of the Las Vegas strip at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

 

“Snowboarders, skiers, they fly across the world to find these big, elaborate mountains to ski down and so that’s what we’re doing,” North said. “We’re traveling the world looking for great gyms and atmospheres to feed off of to lift big weight. That’s why we’re in Vegas. That’s why we’re doing the first AWF meet at Vegas.”

 

1. Weightlifting is the KING of all sports.

 

For North, there is no sport that tops weightlifting.

 

“It’s the greatest sport in the world,” he said. “It’s a sport that more people need to know more about.”

 

That, he said, is his mission -- to bring more weightlifting opportunities to amateur athletes while funding top athletes so they can dedicate their time to the sport.

 

“I want CrossFit prize money. I want weightlifters who can make money doing this. I want it to be big,” he said. “We’re not trying to change the wheel, we’re just trying to make it ten times better.”

Watch North and Mendes throwdown head-to-head LIVE on FloElite.com, January 16-18.

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