Kettlebell lifters set new records for the Guinness Book of Records in Vitebsk

A true celebration of weightlifting took place in the assembly hall of Vitebsk State Technological University.

As reported by Vladimir Katashuk, Chairman of the Republican Kettlebell Lifting Federation and head of the Vitebsk City Organization of the Belarusian Peace Foundation, this event was planned a year ago in conjunction with the international federation. As part of the tour, similar meetings have been held in all regional centers of our country and in Minsk since March. The Vitebsk Christmas Tournament became the final chord, which lived up to the hopes of the gathered sports enthusiasts.

Among the distinguished guests were Alexander Tsetsokho, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Health, Physical Culture, and Family and Youth Policy, and Anatoly Yezhov, President of the International Kettlebell Lifting Confederation and head of the Russian-Italian International Management Institute in Arkhangelsk, a native of Vitebsk. Opening the tournament, Valery Bashmetov, Chairman of the regional organization of the RPO "Belaya Rus", Deputy of the Regional Council of Deputies, and Rector of VSTU, recalled that Vitebsk residents have strong partnership ties with this educational institution.

The current sports meeting was characterized by the fact that three kettlebell lifters simultaneously attempted to break Guinness World Records. First, the honored guest Anatoly Yezhov himself demonstrated to those present that even at the age of 66, one can perform miracles of body and spirit. He alternately lifted a 24-kilogram kettlebell with both hands 171 times, surpassing the coveted mark. Young Vitebsk men, who tried to compete with the veteran in the "Battle of Generations", could only shrug in amazement.

As part of this sports evening, the "Christmas Tournament" for prizes from Vitebsk kettlebell lifter Nikolay Sokolov, a 15-time world champion among professionals, also took place. The competitions held showed that there are those who can take the proud banner of Vitebsk sports from the veteran.

The event concluded with a one-hour marathon, where representatives of the Minsk region demonstrated their talents. The legendary Vyacheslav Khoronenko, who has already won the world championship title this year, surpassed the required number of clean and jerks with a 24 kg kettlebell for record registration by more than 100 lifts – the cast-iron projectile was lifted above his head 2009 times. And Sergey Trifonov achieved his goal in the snatch with a 24 kg kettlebell. The Vitebsk arena and local fans truly became golden for the title contenders. Now the organizers of the spectacular tournament are awaiting official registration of these achievements by the London headquarters of the Guinness Book of Records, and Vitebsk sports enthusiasts are looking forward to new tournaments for real men.

Ales Byньkov, "Vitebskiye Vesti"