Tom Sullivan, 30 years old
Education:
2008 BS Criminal Justice from Sacred Heart University
2010 MA Criminal Justice, Sacred Heart
2015 John Jay College of Criminal Justice Certificate in Advanced Terrorism Studies
Athletic career:
2004-2008 Division I wrestler at Sacred Heart University (149lbs/157lbs)
Multiple time New England and Connecticut State Champion at 85kg and 94kg
2015 94kg American Open Championship competitor
2016 94 kg National Qualifier
2015-2016 USAW Level I and II certified
Professional career:
2011-2015 Norwalk, Connecticut Police Officer
2015-present Cranston, Rhode Island Police Officer
How I joined the great sport of Olympic Weightlifting:
In the spring of 2008 at Sacred Heart University I had wrapped up my wrestling season and I was training in the weight room. I was anticipating to continue wrestling in 2009 as part of my red shirt senior year. However, I was introduced to Gary Valentine who recognized that I may have potential in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. I knew of the lifts, but never the correct movements in their entirety. Gary Valentine took me from a good lifter to a great weightlifter. After lifting with Gary for just a month I immediately noticed the difference in my strength capabilities. I went back into the wrestling room and was easily handling teammates with less physical exertion.
Since then I made a decision to never look back and have since devoted myself to the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. If it was not for that day that I met Gary…I may have never become this passionate about the sport.
My best lifts were in August 2015:
Connecticut Championships: Blue Streak
Bodyweight 89.9kg
Snatch: 135kg
Clean and Jerk: 167kg
