Early Career
Wesley Brian Kitts was born on May 22, 1990, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and has become one of the most accomplished American weightlifters of his generation. Before focusing on weightlifting, he played college football as a running back at Austin Peay State University, but later transitioned fully to Olympic lifting, where his career rapidly took off.
Competing internationally since the mid‑2010s, Kitts built a reputation as a strong and consistent competitor in the now‑defunct 105 kg class and later in the 109 kg and 102 kg divisions following category changes by the International Weightlifting Federation.
Breakthrough and Achievements
Kitts is a two‑time Olympian, having represented the United States at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, finishing in eighth place on both occasions. He holds multiple American records: at 109 kg he has the top snatch (177 kg), clean & jerk (223 kg) and total (399 kg), and at 102 kg he also holds national bests (177 kg snatch, 388 kg total).
On the Pan American stage he was extremely successful as well, winning three Pan American Championships titles (2018, 2019, 2023) and taking gold at the 2019 Pan American Games - accomplishments that place him among the most decorated U.S. lifters of recent years.
Achievements
| Competition | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games Tokyo | 2020 | 8th place |
| Olympic Games Paris | 2024 | 8th place |
| Pan American Games – Gold | 2019 | champion |
| Pan American Championships – Titles | 2018, 2019, 2023 | three titles |
| American Records – Snatch/Clean & Jerk/Total | – | top marks |
Path to Enhanced Games
After signaling his retirement from traditional weightlifting, Wesley Kitts made headlines in October 2025 by signing up for the inaugural Enhanced Games, set for Las Vegas in May 2026. The Enhanced Games format allows medically supervised performance enhancement, a departure from standard federation rules.
His decision marks a notable shift, given his long reputation as a clean competitor in federation events, and reflects a willingness to explore alternative competitive terrain.
What to Expect in Las Vegas
Kitts arrives in Las Vegas as one of the most experienced lifters in the Enhanced Games field. His record‑setting snatch, clean & jerk, and total performances - backed by Olympic experience and continental titles - give him a strong competitive foundation.
In an environment where medically supervised support is permitted, his potential could evolve in unpredictable ways, and he is likely to be a key figure in the weightlifting program, drawing attention from fans and commentators alike.