Bryan Jacob Georgia Strength and Power HoF inductee 2021

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Personal history:
Bryan was born and raised in Florida and began competing in the Florida High School Weightlifting program (bench press and clean & jerk) — ultimately winning two State Championships (1986 & 1987). His first “Olympic style” Weightlifting competition (snatch and clean & jerk) was the Sunshine State Games (1987). 

Bryan then moved to Georgia, enrolling at Georgia Tech, and continued his weightlifting pursuits with Hall-of-Fame coach Ben Green. During his competitive career, Bryan represented Team South, Gayle Hatch Weightlifting Club, and Coffee’s Gym operated by legendary coach, John Coffee.

Bryan earned a Civil Engineering degree from Georgia Tech (1993) and led international environmental programs for The Coca-Cola Company for 21 years. He now advocates for effective solar policy in the Southeast USA with the non-profit Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE). 

Bryan still lives in Georgia with his wife Beth — happily married since 1990. They have three adult children. 

What lead you to your sport:
The Florida High School Weightlifting program led Bryan into the sport. Bryan excelled in Clean & Jerk. In 1987, the top C&J in each weight class earned a week-long trip to Colorado Springs to train at the US Olympic Training Center. The coaches there provided instruction on the “other” Olympic lift — the snatch. That was all the inspiration Bryan needed to set his sights on a potential Olympic team. 
Achievements in your sport:
Bryan’s accomplishments include:
- Nine-time USA National Champion
- American Records in snatch, clean & jerk, and total
- Five World Championship teams (top finish: Budapest 1990, 9th place)
- Silver medals at Pan American Games in Cuba (1991) and Argentina (1995)
- Two-time Olympian: Barcelona (1992, 18th place) and Atlanta (1996, 9th place)
- US Weightlifting Hall of Fame (2008)

State, National and World records:
Throughout his career, Bryan broke 17 American Records including Snatch and Total records in the 60 kg bodyweight class and all three (Snatch, C&J, and Total) in the 59 kg bodyweight class. 

Other accomplishments:
Outside the Weightlifting arena, Bryan participated in the annual United Nations Climate Conference process that led to the Paris Agreement in 2015 (COP21).

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Fri Sep 24 22:00:04 UTC 2021 | Last Updated: Sat Dec 23 02:25:37 UTC 2023