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05.03.1998 (Sports)

The open competitions in the bench press of the Jelgava Cup were held for the 12th time. The tournament, which took place at the Daugava Sports Hall , was a great success, with almost all branches of strength from many regions of Latvia and guests from the Lithuanian city of Birži participating. Our athletes achieved a dozen national records for adults, youth, juniors and seniors.

In powerlifting, the division into age groups is quite unique - youth (up to 18 years old), juniors (up to 23), the youngest seniors - from 45 to 50 years old, and the oldest - for those with more than half a century on their shoulders. 

The highest result in the competition in Jelgava was achieved by the representative of the Apollons club, the bronze medalist of the world championship Aleksandrs Radzevičs, in the weight category up to 60 kg, bench pressing a barbell weighing 155 kg (a national record for adults). Such a result would have secured him a gold medal at the world championship in Edmonton last year, but the 145 kg lifted at that time was “enough” for only third place. This high result secured Radzevičs the title of absolute champion of the Jelgava tournament in the men's competition.

It is worth noting Kuldīga National Guard strongman Guntis Hildebrants, who in the heaviest weight category (over 125 kg) improved the national record in bench press by two places, first recording 186 kg, and in an additional attempt also 190. In this weight category, second place was won by weightlifting veteran Artūrs Sliede, who once competed in the Latvian youth volleyball team and was also a member of the republican team in track and field. He once again improved the national senior record by lifting one and a half centners in Jelgava. Sliede, who has also taken his first steps in national politics by joining the Labor Party led by former athlete Aivars Kreituss, has fulfilled the promise he made in the autumn to lift one and a half centners. Artūrs has a good chance of competing for the bronze medal at the first European veterans' bench press championship in Austria. We should also praise the youngest participant of this competition, 12-year-old Artūrs Sliede's son Jēkabs, who has improved his personal record by 15 kg since December, having already lifted a 50 kg in Jelgava. Jēkabs' own weight is 64 kg. In addition, he is also successful in Riga checkers tournaments.

In the men's class, Genadijs Zubriks from Jelgava (up to 82.5 kg) broke the national record, being able to press 192.5 kg. The absolute champion among seniors was recognized as the representative of the Police Central Sports Club Huseins Eldarovs - 180 kg (in the weight category up to 75 kg). In second place in this category was Agris Kurpnieks from Talsi - 160 kg (junior record). In the weight category up to 67.5 kg, the winner was Atlanta Olympian Vladimirs Morozovs (Police CSK) - 130 kg, but the silver medalist from the Kuldīga National Guard Andris Bitenieks twice improved the junior record - 112.5 and 115 kg. In the junior group, the absolute winner's title went to Rinaldas Dimiņš from Jelgava, a Kārlis Ulmanis scholarship holder, who pressed a barbell weighing 202.5 kg in the category up to 90 kg. This is the absolute best result of the tournament, but not a Latvian record. Rinalds has also lifted more. The second in this weight category was Aleksandrs Smelovs from Jelgava - 150 kg (Latvian senior record). In turn, the national junior record was broken by Andris Rūdulis from Tukums, the strongest in the lightest weight category (52 kg) - 117.5 kg. 

During these competitions, a moment of silence was held to commemorate the Latvian multiple champion Nikolajs Pavilovskis, whose life path was tragically cut short the day before last.

Open competition in the Jelgava Cup

Winners in other weight categories. Women.  Zhanna Korosteļova (Riga) 70 kg. Men.  Up to 56 kg. Artūrs Keino (Jelgava, Atlants) 65 kg. Up to 100 kg. Grigorijs Melkunjans (Alūksne National Guard) 180 kg. Up to 110 kg. Viktors Pevko 175 kg. Up to 125 kg. Konstantin Konstantinovs (both Liepaja) 195 kg. Absolute champion for youth.  Armens Isakhanovs (Jelgava. Apollons) 175 kg (junior record in weight up to 75 kg).