March Digest: Strongest Men and New Records
March has been a fantastic month for all fitness fans, with several exciting developments happening around the world. From national to international competitions, new records, and stunning performances, we’ve collected some of the most notable news from the month. So, grab a protein shake and get ready for our March Digest!
86-Year-Old Breaks National and World Record in Deadlift
We move on now to a feel-good story that will lift your spirits. At age 86, Brian Winslow continues to powerlift his way into the record books. On March 18 at the British Drug-Free Powerlifting Championships, he cleared an impressive 171 pound deadlift – a new world and British best for athletes aged between 85-89 in the 60 kilograms (132 pounds) category.
A native of Derbyshire, Winslow discovered his natural talent when it came to lifting weights early on in life but has seen real success across a wide range of meets over many years. An inspiration to us all!
Pavlo Nakonechnyy Withdraws From 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man
In a setback for fans of strongman competitions, Ukrainian athlete Pavlo Nakonechnyy announced that he would be withdrawing from the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man event due to a shoulder injury. The news came as a disappointment to many who had been eagerly anticipating Nakonechnyy’s performance, but the athlete expressed optimism about his chances of making a comeback in the future.
Artyom Antropov Sets New Personal Best With 322 Kilogram Back Squat
In another impressive display of strength, Kazakh weightlifter Artyom Antropov broke his record for the back squat in the 102 kg weight category, lifting a staggering 322 kilograms. The achievement was met with both awe and skepticism, with some questioning the safety of such heavy lifting.
Kordiyaka and Novikov Named Europe’s Strongest Humans
Europe’s strongest man title was fiercely contested earlier this month, with 13 athletes giving their all for the prestigious honor. On April 1st in Leeds, England competitors faced off to demonstrate every aspect of strength during five grueling events – ultimately crowning Pavlo Kordiyaka champion!
According to the competition’s website, Kordiyaka also set the new Conan’s Wheel World Record 1009 degrees (old record from 2016 was 835 deg) The previous year’s winner Oleksii Novikov found himself at second place despite being a strong favorite leading up to the competition day. Congratulations are certainly due to Mr. Kordiyaka on his remarkable feat and career milestone!
Russian Weightlifters’ Path to Paris 2024 Unclear After European Championships Exclusion
Russian weightlifters suffered a major setback when they were excluded from the European Championships due to ongoing concerns about doping violations.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) announced that Russian weightlifters would not be allowed to compete at the event, which is a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This exclusion has put the future of Russian weightlifting and its path to Paris 2024 in doubt.
That’s it for this edition of the March Digest. Keep lifting, keep training, and keep pushing yourself to be the best you can be.
Author: Ihor Shymechko
Coach, PRO Olympic Weightlifter
Ihor Shymechko is a renowned Ukrainian weightlifter. He has represented his country in several Olympic Games, notably in 2008, 2012, and 2016. His impressive career includes winning the European championship in 2009 and earning a silver medal in 2011 in the +105 kg division. Shymechko also earned a Ph.D. from Lviv State University of Physical Culture.
