The Vitebsk region is undergoing systematic development of weightlifting
And recently, a weightlifting department opened in Orsha, where about 40 young athletes are already training. Vladimir Smoljak, the senior coach of the Vitebsk region in weightlifting, who has been training champions of international competitions for over 45 years, spoke about the recent successes of our athletes and plans for 2020.
-- In the past season, our trainee, Master of Sports of International Class, member of the Belarusian national team, Alexander Bersanov, took second place in the snatch at the World Championships. In the clean and jerk, however, he made a mistake and ultimately took fourth place. Our juniors also performed successfully at the European Championships, where Vitebsk coach Alexander Krasovsky traveled: Alexander Marchenko met the standard for Master of Sports and took 6th place, Daniil Ilyin took 8th place, and Vladislav Tsvetinsky took 4th place with a result of 261 kilograms (119+146) in the total of the two-event. In the snatch, in the first attempt, our athlete lifted 111 kilograms. The second attempt was successful – 116. In the third attempt, Vladislav successfully snatched 119. Based on the snatch results, he won silver and set several European youth records. In the clean and jerk, in the first attempt, the young man lifted 135 kilograms. In the second attempt, our athlete managed 142 kilograms. In the final attempt, the judges saw a violation and the attempt was not counted.
Noting that these young athletes grew up in our new specialized weightlifting hall at the regional comprehensive center of the Olympic reserve, Vladimir Smoljak once again emphasized the importance of creating decent training conditions for athletes. The results are evident!
Now, weightlifters from the Vitebsk region are preparing for the republican championships, which will be held in Bobruisk, regional competitions, as well as the Belarusian Cup in Borisov.
-- In Vitebsk, we currently lack a rehabilitation center; the guys need to relax their muscles after training. For now, we are forced to rent a sauna at the FOK once a week, -- notes Vladimir Vladimirovich. -- The gym in Vitebsk, as well as the weightlifting department in Orsha, opened thanks to the support of the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, who, as is known, despite his busy schedule, always finds time for training and competitions. The regional comprehensive center for the Olympic reserve, the department of sports and tourism of the regional executive committee, and sponsors also provide assistance in conducting training camps and competitions.
It is important to support the aspiration of young athletes for a healthy, active lifestyle, as some of them may have to represent our country at the Olympic Games.