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Finnish Weightlifting Federation 75 year gala.

75 years of Finnish WeightliftingOn a beautiful summer day on June 28, 2009 in Pori, Finland, the 'Who's Who' of Finnish weightlifting gathered together to celebrate 75 years of Finnish Weightlifting. The first weightlifting competition had been held over a hundred years ago back in November of 1892, but on November 25, 1934, the Federation began its existence. Mr. Bruno Nyberg, the Father of Finnish Weightlifting, read out loud the historic words of birth.75 years later President Esa Lomma spoke in honor of all successful Finnish lifters such as European, World and Olympic Champion Mr. Kaarlo Kangasniemi, European and World Champions Mr. Kauko Kangasniemi and Mrs. Karoliina Lundahl as well as the first ever Finnish European Champion Mr. Eino Mäkinen, still young as ever at 84. Together with other medalists and record breakers toasting the vibrant federation was a room full of weightlifting enthusiasts, government officials and the Finnish Olympic Committee. Many were recognized of their relentless work to our beloved sport: internationally the IWF Golden Medal was given out to Mr. Matti Everi and IWF Silver Medals went to Mr. Ahti Hämäläinen and Mr. Matti Kitunen.Finnish weightlifting has had many glorious performances. After an afternoon of basking in the sun of the glory days it is time to return to work to build a modern training system within the country. Already in place are the Olympic Training Center in Vierumäki just outside Lahti, home of 1998 World Championships, a modern coaching development center, and athletes who yearn to learn more about weightlifting from the heroes of the past. Finns have always been known to step up to the challenge: the next task is making unknown names the heroes of the

Weightlifting, athletics top fitness test

WEIGHTLIFTING and athletics topped the fitness test in their preparation for the Pacific Mini Games in Cook Islands. According to assessors' finding released by the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) and the National Selection and Justification Committee (NSJC), both sports were rated 95 per cent competitive and 100 per cent fit. From general observation, athletics was described as an improved and highly competitive lot, whilst weightlifting was the most competitive lot. For weightlifting, 11 males and nine females are confirmed to be on training in the building next to the Multipurpose Hall. Overall, the players in each of the selected sport federations still have another qualifying stage before certified to travel. The players will have to prove their best records to convince the selection and justification committee to be included in the Team Solomon. They have until 21 July when individual performances will be judged.

Mediterranean Games 5th Day: Gold medals for Greece and Syria

Men's 94 kg had a Greek hero as Kourtidis Nikolaos was so strong to break three Mediterranean Games records. In snatch he had 175 and later 177 kg. In clean and jerk he lifted 215 kg to win his second gold with a new regional record. In men's 105 kg category the competition was open between Ahed Youghil (SYR) and Sudas Bunyamin (TUR). Both of them had three succesful snatch attempts. Finally the Syrian had 1 kg more (171 kg). In clean and jerk Ahed Joughil was better again and won his second gold by lifting 215

2009 Top results in three categories in Korea

You can find here the complete result list of „2009 International Friendship Tournament” in Pocheon (KOR, 25-26.06.2009) Results in +75 kg cat, 77 kg cat and +105 kg cat are the best in the world in 2009 !!!Photos:Marek Drzewowski (POL) ,author of „Polska Sztanga” > www.polska.sztanga.prv.pl

Mediterranean Games: 4th Day Khalil had just one Mediterranean record

In men 85 kg category no athlete was able to set up a single new record which fact is very unusual regarding the rain of records during the first three days. At the same time the competitors really had great fights for the first place and other positions as well. In snatch faultless Izzet Ince (TUR) had 167 kg while Albanian Tabaku snatch result was just 166 kg.In clean and jerk HENNEQUIN Benjamin (FRA) had 1 kg more (196 kg) than Egyptian Hasona Elsayed and he was awarded gold medal. In women 69 KHALIL Abir (EGY) had a great victory comnined with a Mediterranean record in snatch by 106 kg. In clean and jerk she was not able to set up new record but like in snatch she was ahead of the silver medallist by another 18 kg. Results:

China’s Olympians win Laureus team award

The remarkable success that China's sporting heroes achieved at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games capped yet another honor their way. The Chinese Olympic team was on Friday named the "Team of the Year" at the prestigious 2009 Laureus World Sports Awards held in Beijing. Topping the medal tally with 51 gold medals, 21 silvers and 28 bronze at the Games, the Chinese Olympians were contending with the likes of the Manchester United soccer team, the Spanish national soccer team, the British Olympic cycling team, the Jamaican Olympic sprint team and the NBA's Boston Celtics for the award. This is the first time the award has been presented to a national Olympic team and not an individual sports team. "Beijing hosted one of the best Olympics ever. The facilities were fantastic and the Games were full of remarkable sporting exploits," said Laureus Academy President Edwin Moses, who presented the award to Cui Dalin, vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee. "But for me, the most amazing sight was the passion and the determination of the Chinese athletes, who produced so many epic performances, not just in the sports we knew they were good at, but even in others where China was not expected to do very well," he added. The award has only come as an encouragement for Chinese sports. "This award proves that China did an excellent job at the Games. And I hope more and more Chinese start playing sports," said China's table tennis legend Deng Yaping, who is also a Laureus Academy member. (by Lei