Savannah News Press, 22 June 1975

FELTON WINS FIRST CALIFORNIA LIFT

Forrest Felton, the United States' number one alternate to the World Junior Weightlifting Championships in France next month, won the U.S. Seniors championship in his 114-pound weight division Friday night, beating the man who will represent the U.S. in France.

Felton lifted 363 pounds, to whip Charles Marez, who is the lifter scheduled to represent the U.S. After the Culver City, California, division competition was completed, it was learned that the committee is reviewing the representative situation after Felton beat out Marez.

Savannah already has two lifters and coach, who will leave for York, Pennsylvania, to begin training, Thursday, going to France. They are Michael Cohen, 148-pound group, and Dennis Kessler, 123-pounder. Howard Cohen is the coach.

Felton is the first Georgian to win a championship in the seniors' national championship in the seniors' national competition since Paul Anderson accomplished the feat 21 years ago, in 1954.

The meet continues through Sunday, with the heavier classes competing.

If Felton gets on the team, by some chance, Savannah would have 33 percent of the total U.S. team, a claim which no other city, or gym, could make.

All the lifters, Michael, Dennis, Forrest, and Coach Howard, do their thing for Howard's gym, owned and operated by Cohen on east Victory Drive.