Mary Theisen-Lappen

Having never lifted competitively before 2018, Mary Theisen‑Lappen’s transformation into one of America’s strongest female lifters reads like a modern-day Cinderella story. A standout in track & field—with multiple All-American honors and conference championships under her belt—Mary’s transition to weightlifting revealed a new arena for her athletic gifts.

In March 2022, she announced her arrival on the world stage by setting a new American clean & jerk record of 163 kg, adding fuel to her competitive fire. That same year at the Arnold Sports Festival, she officially claimed the record and took overall gold with a 278 kg total, outlifting two-time Olympic medalist Sarah Robles.

Her momentum continued into 2023. At the Pan American Games in Santiago, Mary earned gold in the +81 kg class, snatching up the continental title. Months later, she captured silver at the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh and followed that with gold at the IWF Grand Prix II in Doha, hammering out a 283 kg total to top the field.

In February 2025, she eclipsed her previous best by lifting 164 kg in the clean & jerk on the Rogue Strength Stage at the Arnold Classic, pushing the American record even higher.

Mary’s breakthrough continued at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured a 5th place finish in the inaugural +81 kg event with a 274 kg total, marking a historic performance as one of the top U.S. women on an Olympic platform.

Most recently, the 2025 U.S. National Championships saw her crowned +87 kg national champion with a 258 kg total—the latest title in a stellar competitive run.