Russian Olympic weightlifting star could lift two All Blacks

Russian Olympic weightlifting star could lift two All Blacks props - at once

Russian Olympic 2008 silver medallist Dmitry Klokov is discovering a new fan base with the growth of CrossFit exposing people to the highly technical world of Olympic Weightlifting.

He is bringing his extensive weightlifting experience and skill to the Battle of the Fittest in Auckland this weekend, offering a display of weightlifting prowess.

Klokov won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics missing out on Gold by two kilos in the 105kg category. His competition best lifts are a 196kg in the snatch and 232kg in the clean and jerk at the 2011 World Championships.

A clean and jerk of 232kg is one kilo off being able to lift All Blacks propping brothers Owen and Ben Franks in a single lift.

Klokov has come to Auckland to share his weightlifting knowledge with Kiwi CrossFitters and weightlifters. He was introduced to CrossFit and started to notice more interest in his career from outside Russia.

“More people from outside Russia were visiting my website and following my YouTube channel. I was getting a lot more requests for people who wanted to learn about weightlifting.”

He enjoys working with CrossFitters who are enthusiastic about the sport.

“In Russia, weightlifting is a prominent sport, like the All Blacks and rugby in New Zealand. A lot of people know us and support us. It has been exciting to see the increase in interest in weightlifting since CrossFit came along. It’s great to see more countries involved and learning more about it”, says Klokov.

He joined forces with Again Faster Australia/New Zealand who brought him out to tour and give Olympic Weightlifting seminars to weightlifters and CrossFitters alike.

Again Faster New Zealand’s Alex Porter says “Weightlifting is a very technical sport and CrossFitters are eager to improve their proficiency. CrossFitters have been introduced to weightlifting and a number have gone on to compete at very high levels in both sports – like New Zealand’s Puawai Munro-Halkyard who has been a stand out CrossFit athlete as well as a National Champion weightlifter”.

“The opportunity to have someone as renowned and talented as Dmitry come out here and share his knowledge of the sport with the CrossFit and weightlifting communities was too good to pass up.

His time here is invaluable to our athletes.”

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