Fuhrman Sets Records in Triplicate : Weightlifting: After setting three national marks, Simi Valley woman looks ahead to World Championships.

By JOHN ORTEGA

July 21, 1991 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Diana Fuhrman of Simi Valley knows what a powerful tool the mind can be in performing well in weightlifting.

But after setting three national records (one in the snatch, one in the clean and jerk and one in the combined total) at the U. S. Olympic Festival at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday night, Fuhrman said that she might have put too much thought into her final effort of the competition, when she attempted to lift 115 kilograms (253 1/2 pounds) in the clean and jerk.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Diana Fuhrman was performing before 20 friends and family members Saturday and none of them left the competition disappointed. C11

“I’m disappointed I didn’t get the 115,” Fuhrman said. “I really wanted it. But I was thinking so much on that lift that I kind of got ahead of myself. I was thinking about the jerk before I had even made the clean. I tried to rush it. Physically, I fell apart.”

Fuhrman’s victory for the North team was her third Festival title in a row in the 67.5 kilogram (148 3/4 pounds) weight class.

The 1981 graduate of Van Nuys High broke her own national records with lifts of 203 3/4 pounds in the snatch, 243 1/2 pounds in the clean and jerk, and a combined total of 440 3/4 pounds.

Because Fuhrman’s record in the snatch came on her fourth attempt--each competitor is allowed only three attempts in each lift during the competition, except when attempting a record--it could not be counted toward her total. Her second-round lift of 199 1/2--and first national record of the night--was used for that purpose.

“I was definitely aiming for records today,” Fuhrman said. “But I wasn’t real sharp.”

Fuhrman, 28, lifted 187 1/4 and 199 1/2 pounds on her first two attempts in the snatch, then failed in her initial effort at 203 3/4.

Her second attempt was not perfect either--she stumbled forward slightly--but she was able to right herself and complete the lift rather easily.

“This was a big meet for me,” Fuhrman said. “I’m looking ahead to the World Championships and I figured if I could make these big lifts here, I could improve that much more when I go over there.”

The World Championships will be held in Donaueschingen, Germany, Sept. 27-Oct. 6, and Fuhrman hopes to improve upon her overall finishes of fourth, fourth and fifth in the past three years.

“I’ve got my heart set on winning the World Championships,” she said. “I’m tired of these third and fourth-place finishes.”