Happy Return

16.11.1971 (Sports)

- This time too, the return home was joyful. Of the eight Latvian representatives, three won the title of champion of the association, two received a silver medal, one a bronze medal. Excellent success was achieved by the first heavyweight athlete V. Bročs, who for the first time fulfilled the international class master of sports norm of 540 kg (190 + 145 + 205). In addition, his result in the clean and jerk of 205 kg is a new record for our republic.

V. Pērkons also had every chance of becoming an international master of sports. Starting in the light heavyweight category, he lifted 505 kg in the total of the triathlon. Unfortunately, this time he was unlucky in the clean and jerk. In great style, he pushed the 200 kg barbell onto his chest, then it was already lifted in outstretched arms, but a small "sin" in terms of technique, and the judges cannot record the result. However, the athlete himself is confident that in the nearest future he will be able to replenish the ranks of international masters of sports in Latvia.

V. Rogačovs also became the champion of the association in the middleweight category - 440 kg. 

The start of V. Petrov, a student of Daugavpils coach V. Tarasov, should be highly appreciated. This weightlifter has been progressing rapidly lately. In Kirovokan with a result of 435 kg he won second place and in the snatch improved the previous republican record of 132.5 kg. This is already very convincing evidence that our veteran A. Majasin is growing a worthy replacement. 

V. Abrashovs also won second place in the welterweight category with a weight of 325 kg. The bronze medal was taken home by the hitherto little-known welterweight athlete B. Bagaevs - 400 kg.

Failures befell the other two dynamic athletes of our republic. A. Diņņikovs could not cope with the starting weight in the bench press and received a zero. K. Pumpuriņš, on the other hand, excellently pressed 195 kg, then began an attack on the world record. Unfortunately, while raising the bar to his chest, he made a mistake and got injured. He had to withdraw from further competitions.

You will probably be interested in why G. Ivančenko and A. Sliede did not compete. Artūrs is treating an injury he received in Lebanon, but Gennady's plan, in preparation for the Olympic Games, did not include this competition. However, we will see him at the start very soon.

G. Roga