Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev lifted a kettlebell 61 times in a minute at the kettlebell triathlon competition

The governor performed as part of the Belarusian team in the relay with a 32-kilogram kettlebell. Belarusians took first place in these competitions, and Nikolai Sherstnev lifted the kettlebell 61 times in a minute. "I feel satisfaction. Two years ago, I set a goal for myself - to lift a 32 kg kettlebell 60 times in 60 seconds. Today I achieved it," the governor admitted to journalists who, seizing the moment, decided to ask the head of the region about his sports life.

Nikolai Sherstnev said that he has no special diet. "A normal lifestyle and normal nutrition. Given my busy work schedule, I can't get to the gym in the evening, and I can't make it during lunch either. Therefore, I always train in the morning from 5 to 6 am. Kettlebells are convenient because you can train with them at home, no special conditions, equipment, or simulators are needed. This is one of the simplest and most accessible sports," the governor shared. He is involved not only with kettlebells but also with barbells, and in winter, he skis.

"I'm just maintaining my physical fitness," noted Nikolai Sherstnev, adding that he started training with kettlebells in his childhood. The governor is convinced that sports help to cultivate character, temper, and shape a person. "Sport is, above all, willpower, firmness, self-control. And in the end, it is a goal that you strive for," he emphasized.

Nikolai Sherstnev also gave advice to those who are just starting to get involved in sports: "You shouldn't feel sorry for yourself. If you want to achieve something, you need to work fanatically. Moreover, this is universal advice that can be applied to work, science, and any other field of activity."

Speaking about the development of mass sports in the region, the chairman of the regional executive committee noted that a trend towards a healthy lifestyle is forming among young people. "It is important to support this direction. So that children

came to the halls, to the grounds and, by doing sports, improved their health. And the Olympiad, which we opened today in Vitebsk, also works to popularize sports, to promote a healthy lifestyle. I see the impact of the sports events that we hold in the region. We already have more young people on outdoor street sports grounds, the gyms are all full. We don't have time to introduce new facilities, although we are constantly opening large and small gyms, grounds. This work will continue," assured Nikolai Sherstnev.

The governor also answered the question of whether his family is sporty. "My son is following in my footsteps: he does weightlifting and kettlebells, my daughter does fitness. My granddaughters are serious about sports: the elder is a two-time winner of republican basketball competitions, the younger is a winner of international taekwondo competitions. They all look up to their grandfather," said Nikolai Sherstnev.

At the Olympiad, he was presented with a master of sports of international class certificate. The III World Kettlebell Triathlon Olympiad gathered over 300 participants from more than 30 countries in Vitebsk. The events will run until September 17. During the Olympiad, the World, Eurasian and Union State Championships, and the Kettlebell World Cup are held in parallel.

Competitions among men and women are planned in more than 10 nominations (freestyle kettlebell lifts, power juggling, half marathon and marathon, bench press, relays, etc.) in various age categories and with different kettlebell weights. The "Governor's Cup" will also be awarded in the 32 kg kettlebell clean and jerk for 1 minute, in which representatives from all districts of the Vitebsk region take part. New world records are expected.