American weightlifter

Melanie Roach (née Kosoff; born December 15, 1974 in The Dalles, Oregon) is an Olympic weightlifter for the United States. She lives in Bonney Lake, Washington where she owns Roach Gymnastics, Inc.

During high school, Melanie participated in gymnastics, but dislocated her shoulder. After reconstructive surgery, she slowly became interested in weightlifting. She started training in 1994 once meeting coach John Thrush at Calpian Weightlifting Club. By 1998 she was number one in the US, and set the world record, since bested, for the women's clean & jerk by lifting more than twice her weight, 113:kg/250:lbs. She is 5'2" and 117:lbs.

Three weeks before the US Olympic Trials in 2000, she herniated a disc in her back, and became an alternate. She then focused on starting a family with husband Dan Roach, who is currently serving his fourth term as a Republican in the Washington House of Representatives from the 31st District. Dan is the son of Pam Roach, who is serving her fifth term as a Washington State Senator. She then started training again in 2005, made it past the Olympic Trials, and into the 2008 Summer Olympics. There, she lifted 83:kg in the snatch, a new personal record, 110:kg in the clean & jerk, and a total of 193:kg, a new personal and American record. She placed 6th out of 9.

Roach is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Weightlifting achievements

• Gold Medalist in US Nationals (1998-2000, 2003, 2006-2008)
• Participant in World Weightlifting Championships (1998)
• 13th Place in World Weightlifting Championships (1999)
• 12th Place in World Weightlifting Championships (2006)
• 12th Place in World Weightlifting Championships (2007)
• Bronze Medalist in Pan Am Championships (2006)
• Bronze Medalist in Pan Am Games (2007)
• 6th Place in Olympic Games (2008)

References

External links

• Melanieroach.com
• M. Roach snatching 78 kg (172 lb)
• M. Roach after snatching 78 kg (172 lb)
• Melanie Roach at Weightlifting Exchange