Nikolai Sherstnev set a new Belarusian record in bench press at the "Slavic Cup" tournament

Nikolai Sherstnev set a new Belarusian record at the "Slavic Cup" International Bench Press Championship.

On the eve and on the day of the professional holiday for physical culture and sports workers, numerous mass events were held across the country. Competitions of various types were organized in each district, ranging from athletics to tug-of-war. Therefore, every fan of an active lifestyle could find an activity to their liking.

In the Vitebsk region, the highlight of the sports festival was the confrontation of strongmen who lifted barbells exceeding their own weight. More than 160 athletes from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine participated in the "Slavic Cup" competition. Among the medal contenders was the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev.

— We must be an example for children and youth, as a healthy lifestyle is the foundation for the full functioning of society, — said Nikolai Nikolaevich. — It is also necessary to develop sports infrastructure.

This work is actively carried out in the region, including the creation of equipped workout areas in courtyards. Vitebsk region is becoming a center for the development of strength sports. We have hosted major competitions among weightlifters and powerlifters more than once. The head of the region's love for "iron" contributes to this.

— Sport plays an important role in my life, — emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev. — I try to master new disciplines and achieve good results. I am drawn to strength sports, which is why I decided to try my hand at bench press.

In his first attempt, Nikolai Nikolaevich benched 150 kg without any problems. 160 kg was much harder, and 165 kg was at the limit. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee coped with the task, as well as with the bench press for endurance, pressing a 100 kg barbell 22 times.

Spectators greeted Nikolay Sherstnev's every approach to the platform with ovations. In the final standings, Nikolay Nikolaevich took 1st place in the 50-59 years category, weight up to 100 kg, and set a new Belarusian record – 165 kg, exceeding the previous result by 20 kg.

This sport is only beginning to develop in our country today, but the head of the Belarusian representation of the Russian Bench Press Federation, Vitaly Seleznev, is confident that this discipline has a great future.

— Bench press is called the special forces of pressing, as it requires both strength and endurance from the athlete, — he said. — We currently have about 50 athletes, but I think this number will grow every year.

This sport also arouses interest among women.

— I like bench pressing. "Iron" allows you to train not only your body but also your willpower, — said participant Svetlana Zalutskaya. — I don't have any special achievements yet, but in the future, I plan to become the best in my weight category.

Reference "VV": In the team standings of the "Slavic Cup," athletes from the Moscow region won, silver went to the hosts of the competition, and the team from Bryansk took third place.

Eduard Karolevich. Photo by Dmitry OSIPOV. "Vitebskiye vesti".