Archive from 2012

5th International Tournament Vladan Mihajlovic Memorial

The 5th International Tournament held in the dear memory of Vladan Mihajlovic, legendary International and European official (Yougoslavia/Serbia) was held beginning of October in Belgrade, Serbia. 30 lifters from 6 countries took part in the Tournament organised by the Serbian Weightlifting Federation, under the capable leadership of Milan Mihajlovic, SSDT President. The competition was supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Serbia. The IWF was represented by Mrs. Eva Moska who also awarded the Team Trophies to Bulgaria, who ended up first, Serbia and Turkey. Prof. Dr. Milan V. MIHAJLOVIC said: “We are very grateful to the IWF, in particular to its President Dr. Tamás Aján for the ongoing support to this Tournament, which is now an annual, regular Calendar Event and we are doing our best to further upgrade its quality for the years to come.” The next edition is planned to take place in the capital, Belgrade under the increased support of the Serbian Olympic

Weightlifting shone in St. Petersburg

A year after Belgorod, the second edition of the Russian President's Cup moved to the banks of the Neva. It was a great challenge for the organizers to build up such an outstanding event so close to the London 2012 Olympic Games. At the end of this season, reaching a high level of preparedness is not an easy task for the top class athletes. On stage competing besides well known Russian lifters such as Tatiana KASHIRINA, Silver Medallist in London or David BEDZHANIAN; young and promising athletes stood up on the podium in St. Petersburg. At the Closing Ceremony, the Medal Winners were awarded the Prize Money from the Russian Weightlifting Federation and the main sponsors of the event. In the presence of Mr. Pavel Belov, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of the Government of St. Petersburg, all dignitaries expressed their commitment to carry on the tradition of hosting this high international level competition. The participation and great support of Mr. Alexandr Gerasimenko, President of the Euro-Asian Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Sergey Syrtsov, President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation, Mr. Andrey Rybak, Vice Presidentof the RWF and Mr. Anton Kislyakov, Executive Manager of the RWF contributed to the success of the event. IWF President Dr. Tamas Ajan expressed his contentment with regard to the outstanding organization of the event involving spectacular visual effects and impressive showcase of the sport. “The spectacle provided by the Russian Weightlifting Federation contributes to building a strong and modern image of our sport.” – He added. See you at the 2013 President’s Cup to be held in Moscow! Photos by Katerina

SASCOC Coaching Conference 2012

The 2012 SASCOC National Conference will be held on 16-18 November 2012 in Johannesburg. The theme of the conference will be ‘Beyond London’ and will review the London four year cycle, as well as planning for the future. The event will consist of a series of keynote presentations, panel discussions and workshops, as well as updates and planning sessions relating to the South African Coaching Framework and South African Sport for Life. More information and online registration here:

President’s cup Superheavyweight

Just like at the 2011 President’s Cup in Belgorod, the Gold Medal in the Women’s +75kg bodyweight category went to Tatiana KASHIRINA (RUS). Local hero and Silver Medallist at the London 2012 Olympic Games, KASHIRINA was extremely proud to lift “at home” in St. Petersburg where she was born. With a Total of 280kg – her Total was 332kg in London – she lifted 26kg more than the Silver Medallist Praeonapa KHENJANTUEK (THA). Third place went to the Nigerian athlete Mariam USMAN with a Total of 253kg – only 1kg less than the Thai lifter. The second Russian athlete in the +75kg bodyweight category Yulia KONOVALOVA had less impressive results in the Snatch and ended the competition at the 4th place. The last competition of the 2012 President’s Cup St. Petersburg Russia was the Men’s +105kg category. An intense and exciting battle for the Gold Medal took place between two Superheavyweight lifters: Jiri ORSAG (CZE) and Peter NAGY (HUN). Working their ways up kilogram by kilogram, the final order was determined by the last Clean and Jerk attempts. 231kg seemed to be too heavy for Peter NAGY, securing the first place to the Czech lifter Jiri ORSAG, 7th at the London 2012 Olympic Games. KLICKI Krzysztof (POL) stood up on the third place of the podium to take over the Bronze

Impressive showcase of the sport in St. Petersburg

With a stage built following the design and shape of the famous Peter and Paul fortress and an impressive background illustrating the outstanding architectural monument, the 2012 President’s Cup impresses with its spectacle. The competition started with the Men’s 94kg bodyweight category and an uncontested winner: the Russian Igor KLIMONOV. Silver Medallist at the 2012 IWF Junior World Championships in Antigua, Guatemala, he lifted a Total of 380kg, 30kg more than his compatriot - the Silver Medallist Rinat KIREEV. The battle for the second and third places was tighter. Antti-Roiko Miika (FIN) ended up third with 342kg and won the Bronze Medal. Women’s 75kg also brought a Russian duo to the Podium. Olga ZUBOVA (RUS) Junior and Youth World Champion also Gold Medallist at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games ended the competition on the first place with a Total of 265kg. She couldn’t make it to the London 2012 Olympic Games, but here in St. Petersburg she lifted only 3kg less than her personal best. The Silver Medal went to Ekaterina KATINA (RUS) while the Chinese lifter Huixian LAN - participating in her first international competition - was awarded the Bronze. In the Men’s 105kg, last year’s winner David BEDZHANIAN (RUS) got injured while performing his second attempt in the Snatch and retired from the competition with no Total Result. This gave a tremendous opportunity for the other athletes competing in the bodyweight category to take the floor. 2011 Summer Universiade Gold Medallist Gennadiy MURATOV (RUS) won the Gold Medal with a Total of 395kg. The Syrian lifter Ahed JUGHLI stood up on the second place of the podium lifting 35kg less than MURATOV. The third place went to Godfrey BALIGEYA from

Eurosport will broadcast LIVE

Time refers to Central European Time (CET) Saturday 13 October Men 94kg starts at 12.00 on Eurosport 1 Sunday 14 October Women 75kg starts at 11.45 on Eurosport 2 Men 105kg starts at 12.45 on Eurosport 2 LIVE Women +75kg starts at 15.00 on Eurosport 2 LIVE Men +105kg starts at 17.00 on Eurosport 1 Live Scoreboard will also be available on the IWF