I think Brian checks his YouTube subscription for new weightlifting videos every six minutes because he dropped a video-link-deuce on the fan page this morning before I knew what was going on. Here are videos of various Russian weightlifters that are preparing for the 2012 London Olympic Games (27 July until 12 August). Here is the weightlifting schedule (we’ll worry more about this later), but note that Klokov is going to lift at 1700 local time on Monday, August 6th, which will be noon in the EST time zone.
Let’s kick it off with the whammy, a 9 minute video of Klokov preparing to lift interspersed with warming up and hitting some numbers. He misses a double at 200 on snatch, and then says “fuck iiiiiiiit” and throws 205 on. After hitting that, Chigishev gives him a golf clap and Klokov is all, “Hey brah, that’s only 5kg over the World Record, SO COOL YOUR JETS.” And Chigishev is like, “lol bro, you cray cray”. I also want to note that the building they walk into in the beginning is exactly what I pictured in the dream I had where I chatted with Klokov on a park bench (in front of the building) with KGB guards posted everywhere.
Now here is Klokov nonchalantly clean and jerking 232.5.
Here is Maxim Matveev, who is a younger Russian 105kg lifter, doing a push-press with 185kg. It may not be Klokov’s 225, but it’s still a whole lotta weight. But Matveev has jerked 250 out of the rack, and that’s admirable, no?
Then an easy front squat followed by a power jerk…with 210kg? Thank you sir, may I have another.
Russians are stronger than Mike Tyson’s lisp.
22 thoughts on “Russians Going Off”
You must log in to post a comment.
Apparently they play the same music in Klokov’s gym as they do in mine
^ was going to say that, and go Klokov gold 2012!
Shit’s nuts
Klokov push presses what I deadlift
^logged in to say exactly that. Most likely Hansen or Xtina Aguelera comes on next.
Not sure who the coach with the tinted glasses is. But he is terrifying.
Hahaha, I forgot to make a comment about this.
–Justin
It seems like all of the best weight lifting coaches look and act like James Bond villains. I can imagine the guy taking off his sunglasses and pulling out a golden gun.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Francisco_Scaramanga_by_Christopher_Lee.jpg/200px-Francisco_Scaramanga_by_Christopher_Lee.jpg
fucking lol @ rigert looking and walking around like agent smith.
Klokov rules. Also, David Rigert (the coach) has some serious gravity to his demeanor.
PS: Justin, thanks for the Q&A response a few weeks ago on rack position in the clean. I’m getting there, mob-wise.
http://edge.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/1901188/81422982.jpg
Justin – I have a first-world emergency. I just decided to a CrossFit Total at CF Annandale in . . . nine days. Fuck. How the hell should I taper? I know it’s not a sanctioned meet, but I want a good performance. Also, I maxed out my squat recently, but I haven’t done heavy press or deadlift singles in several weeks. And I’m currently running the heavy/medium/light program.
Do not worry. You could do some ascending doubles this weekend (but don’t take it to maximal effort). The rest of my response will go with tomorrow’s Q&A. The meet will be a good time (I’ve been talking to Jeremy about it).
–Justin
Thanks, Justin!
Liking Klokov’s Engrish-esq shirt in the first vid. “Winner Russia – we aim at the olympics”. I’d lift in one. I’ll have to check Russia’s Olympic Team site.
that coach looks like he can beat wholesale ass
That coach is cool. Not a hint of facial expression other than Eastern Block detached blue steel. I bet his kids have haircuts you could set your watch to.
Hey Gumbo,
I am planning to go too. I am running the same Heavy, Medium, Light template and didn’t really plan to taper at all. Maybe its dumb on my part, but I am going to treat it like a training day. I might skip my Friday workout though.
10/10 on that last line, there.
I’ve been having trouble with my oly progression so I started paying an old Russian man to wear a sweatsuit and watch me lift from a fold up chair. All my lifts have increased by 140%
My favorite story about Dave Rigert is how he used to smoke in between lifts, if only there was a video of him doing a snatch with a cigarette in his mouth
*something like when Vince Vaughn doing an iron cross in “Old School”
On the topic of weightlifting videos, this guy’s youtube channel is sweet. Seems to have full coverage of pretty much every major competition back to the early 90s. Maybe this is common knowledge… I don’t know.
http://www.youtube.com/user/franjete
I know a bunch of legendary Bulgarian lifters from the 80’s used to take a cig break between max effort sessions. We should bring that back.