Tuesday, August 19
An unusual Olympic superheavyweight men's competition, to say the least. There were only 8 lifters entered. The lifter from Qatar did not weigh-in. Jeon (KOR) bombed in the Snatch, not looking at all ready for this level of competition. The entire session was over in less than 1-1/2 hours.
Chigishev (RUS) weighed only 124.13, a la Pisarenko 25 years ago. He snatched well, ending with 210kg. Udachyn (UKR) as second with 207. Scerbatihs (LAT) ended with 206kg. These 3 lifters made all of their Snatches.
Shymechko (UKR) at 22 looks to have a good future. He made all 6 attempts.
Steiner (GER), the eventual winner, missed his first Jerk with 246kg, walking off the platform. Chigishev ended with 250kg, so his Total was 460kg. Scerbatihs started with and succeeded at 242 and was put into the scoring system for an automatic jump to 244. His coach attempted to change this, but time ran out and they were stuck with the lighter weight. Scerbatihs simply sat in the back room and didn't come out for the lift.
For some reason, Scerbatihs jumped to 257kg, more than he needed to move into first place. He missed the lift and ended up in 3rd place.
On his second attempt Steiner made the minimal jump in order to total, then waited for what he needed to win. This was 258kg, a lift he successfully completed without a great deal of difficulty.
This is Germany's first superheavyweight win in a very long time. It's also the first time an American has not been in this class.
The program is due to air around noon today, probably on MSNBC, but check for confirmation. The previous plan of broadcasting this category live was wisely ditched, as it would have been a disaster.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Men's 105kg
Monday, August 18, 2008
Aramnau (BLR) stole the show today, making all 6 attempts, winning the gold medal, and creating numerous Olympic, world, and world junior (according to the IWF) records. He ended with a 200kg Snatch and 236kg C&J for a 436kg Total. Only 20 years old, watch for this guy in the coming years. He lifted confidently and with excellent technique and speed.
Klokov (RUS) and teammate Lapikov (RUS) took silver and bronze. Klokov also went 6 for 6, putting on a great show for the crowd after his last Snatch.
These lifters pushed Poland's Marcin Dolega down to 4th position.
There were several problems in the back room during today's session. It looked to me like the locals had changed one key personnel position at the expeditor's (called marshall's in Beijing) table. The coaches had it right, but the call order and the attempt weights got all screwed up. This resulted in all sorts of officials trying to solve the problems in English, although none of them speak English as a first language.
It's odd to have problems like this come up on the next to last day of competition.
This session will air on MSNBC today about 11:55 a.m. Producer Jenny Nickell pushed for, and got, additional time for today's coverage. If you want to see more weightlifting on television, be sure to let NBC Olympics now this! They respond to your input.
Tomorrow's planned live Superheavy show is now going to be taped, which is the only way to do lifting. Live coverage just doesn't make sense, due to strategic changes, delays or changes in loading, need for commercial breaks, etc.
Aramnau (BLR) stole the show today, making all 6 attempts, winning the gold medal, and creating numerous Olympic, world, and world junior (according to the IWF) records. He ended with a 200kg Snatch and 236kg C&J for a 436kg Total. Only 20 years old, watch for this guy in the coming years. He lifted confidently and with excellent technique and speed.
Klokov (RUS) and teammate Lapikov (RUS) took silver and bronze. Klokov also went 6 for 6, putting on a great show for the crowd after his last Snatch.
These lifters pushed Poland's Marcin Dolega down to 4th position.
There were several problems in the back room during today's session. It looked to me like the locals had changed one key personnel position at the expeditor's (called marshall's in Beijing) table. The coaches had it right, but the call order and the attempt weights got all screwed up. This resulted in all sorts of officials trying to solve the problems in English, although none of them speak English as a first language.
It's odd to have problems like this come up on the next to last day of competition.
This session will air on MSNBC today about 11:55 a.m. Producer Jenny Nickell pushed for, and got, additional time for today's coverage. If you want to see more weightlifting on television, be sure to let NBC Olympics now this! They respond to your input.
Tomorrow's planned live Superheavy show is now going to be taped, which is the only way to do lifting. Live coverage just doesn't make sense, due to strategic changes, delays or changes in loading, need for commercial breaks, etc.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Men's 94kg
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The men's 94kg class reflected some great competition. The 'B' session winner, Akkaev (RUS), made 6 for 6, ending with a 185kg Snatch (the category's highest), a 217kg C&J, and a 402 Total. This eventually earned him the bronze medal.
Winner Ilin (KAZ) appeared confident and ready to go. He appeared to tweak his left elbow on his second Snatch with 180kg, declining his third attempt. It seemed Ilin lowered the 180 prematurely, but he got three white lights. The C&J was a constant state of adjustment, as lifters took their shots at medals. Ilin ended with 226kg, totalling 406kg.
Kolecki (POL)gave it a good shot, ending with silver with 179-224-403. He couldn't stand with his final Clean attempt at 228kg.
The show will air this afternoon, scheduled for 2:30p.m. (EDT)on MSNBC. It's an exciting class; plan to take it in.
Only two days remain. Supers are scheduled to go live on Tuesday.
The men's 94kg class reflected some great competition. The 'B' session winner, Akkaev (RUS), made 6 for 6, ending with a 185kg Snatch (the category's highest), a 217kg C&J, and a 402 Total. This eventually earned him the bronze medal.
Winner Ilin (KAZ) appeared confident and ready to go. He appeared to tweak his left elbow on his second Snatch with 180kg, declining his third attempt. It seemed Ilin lowered the 180 prematurely, but he got three white lights. The C&J was a constant state of adjustment, as lifters took their shots at medals. Ilin ended with 226kg, totalling 406kg.
Kolecki (POL)gave it a good shot, ending with silver with 179-224-403. He couldn't stand with his final Clean attempt at 228kg.
The show will air this afternoon, scheduled for 2:30p.m. (EDT)on MSNBC. It's an exciting class; plan to take it in.
Only two days remain. Supers are scheduled to go live on Tuesday.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Women's +75kg
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Women's 2008 Olympic Weightlifting competition wrapped up today with 11 lifters taking to the platform. Four segments will be aired on CNBC tonight at midnight, EDT.
Winner Jang (KOR) made all 6 attempts successfully. She did 130-136-140 in the Snatch, then started with 175 in the C&J. This attempt established a new Olympic record in the Total at 315kg. She then made 183 and 186, establishing new world and Olympic records on each attempt.
At 400lbs plus the bar bend is starting to get pretty extreme. Weights were attached all the way to the end of the sleeve (the women's bar is shorter,thinner, and lighter). Years ago, when the topic of a smaller diameter barbell came up (for men's lightest classes) I was told by YORK representatives that a smaller diameter (but not necessarily shorter or lighter) bar would permanently deflect at 125kg. At the time, I doubt YORK or anyone else wanted to invest in the tooling necessary to create thinner bars.
The women's bar is 25mm in diameter, the men's 28mm. As women approach 200kg in the C&J there may be a need to allow larger women to use the men's bar.
Opeloge of Samoa was impressive in her execution and nearly pulled off a bronze medal performance. A number of women had a good shot at third place, but the competition was so tight that only two lifters made their 3rd C&J.
USA's Cheryl Haworth finished sixth with a 259kg Total, failing in her attempt to Clean 150kg.
Women's 2008 Olympic Weightlifting competition wrapped up today with 11 lifters taking to the platform. Four segments will be aired on CNBC tonight at midnight, EDT.
Winner Jang (KOR) made all 6 attempts successfully. She did 130-136-140 in the Snatch, then started with 175 in the C&J. This attempt established a new Olympic record in the Total at 315kg. She then made 183 and 186, establishing new world and Olympic records on each attempt.
At 400lbs plus the bar bend is starting to get pretty extreme. Weights were attached all the way to the end of the sleeve (the women's bar is shorter,thinner, and lighter). Years ago, when the topic of a smaller diameter barbell came up (for men's lightest classes) I was told by YORK representatives that a smaller diameter (but not necessarily shorter or lighter) bar would permanently deflect at 125kg. At the time, I doubt YORK or anyone else wanted to invest in the tooling necessary to create thinner bars.
The women's bar is 25mm in diameter, the men's 28mm. As women approach 200kg in the C&J there may be a need to allow larger women to use the men's bar.
Opeloge of Samoa was impressive in her execution and nearly pulled off a bronze medal performance. A number of women had a good shot at third place, but the competition was so tight that only two lifters made their 3rd C&J.
USA's Cheryl Haworth finished sixth with a 259kg Total, failing in her attempt to Clean 150kg.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Men's 85kg
Friday, August 15
USA's Kendrick Ferris won the 'B' session, making 5 of 6 and ending with an American record C&J of 202kg and Total of 362kg. As often happens, a number of bomb-outs and/or withdrawls during the 'A' session elevated Kendrick's placement and he eventually finished 8th.
Congratulations to Kendrick and coach Kyle Pierce. Kyle first introduced me to Kendrick in 2000, when Kendrick was a very thin, but explosive and flexible, young lifter at the national Junior Olympics in Orlando. I've had the pleasure of watching Kendrick progress steadily over the years and salute his efforts to get to this point. And Kyle tells me Kendrick plans to keep on going toward London in 2012.
Rybakou, as usual, put in a great Snatch performance, ending with an Olympic record of 185kg. He did well in the C&J, making three attempts to end up with 209kg and 394kg. China's Lu looked solid in the C&J, tying Rybakou's Total (and taking advantage of lighter bodyweight) on his second attempt with 214kg. But, as correctly called by NBC's Shane Hamman, Lu's left elbow buckled and extended. The referees gave it 3 white lights, but the Jury saw the obvious. They called the refs over, then reversed the decision.
Lu made the same weight on his third attempt, thus tying Rybakou and winning gold on lighter bodyweight.
The Chinese audience registered only slight opposition to the Jury's action, nothing like we would see in Europe. I give Sam Coffa, president of the Jury, credit for calling this one as it was. As we see in far too many US local meets, getting the bar overhead does not mean the lift is within the rules. Far too many lax calls are made by officials who seem to want to give the lifter the benefit of a 'break.' Follow the rules, that's the only objective thing to do. Everyone benefits in the end.
USA's Kendrick Ferris won the 'B' session, making 5 of 6 and ending with an American record C&J of 202kg and Total of 362kg. As often happens, a number of bomb-outs and/or withdrawls during the 'A' session elevated Kendrick's placement and he eventually finished 8th.
Congratulations to Kendrick and coach Kyle Pierce. Kyle first introduced me to Kendrick in 2000, when Kendrick was a very thin, but explosive and flexible, young lifter at the national Junior Olympics in Orlando. I've had the pleasure of watching Kendrick progress steadily over the years and salute his efforts to get to this point. And Kyle tells me Kendrick plans to keep on going toward London in 2012.
Rybakou, as usual, put in a great Snatch performance, ending with an Olympic record of 185kg. He did well in the C&J, making three attempts to end up with 209kg and 394kg. China's Lu looked solid in the C&J, tying Rybakou's Total (and taking advantage of lighter bodyweight) on his second attempt with 214kg. But, as correctly called by NBC's Shane Hamman, Lu's left elbow buckled and extended. The referees gave it 3 white lights, but the Jury saw the obvious. They called the refs over, then reversed the decision.
Lu made the same weight on his third attempt, thus tying Rybakou and winning gold on lighter bodyweight.
The Chinese audience registered only slight opposition to the Jury's action, nothing like we would see in Europe. I give Sam Coffa, president of the Jury, credit for calling this one as it was. As we see in far too many US local meets, getting the bar overhead does not mean the lift is within the rules. Far too many lax calls are made by officials who seem to want to give the lifter the benefit of a 'break.' Follow the rules, that's the only objective thing to do. Everyone benefits in the end.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Men's 77kg
Wednesday, Aug 13
The men's 77kg 'A' session finally produced a non-CHN winner, with Sa (KOR) putting plenty of pressure on China's Li. The snatches were exciting across the boards, but as usual, the Clean-and-Jerk separated the winners from the also-rans.
In the 'A' session, only 2 third attempt C&J lifts were successful.
2004 Gold Medalist Sagir bombed in the Snatch, missing 165 three times. The Turks have not looked particularly sharp at this Games (or at several major international meets of late).
Sa took a good crack at a world record C&J at 211kg, cleaning, but missing the Jerk.
Check out the broadcast on MSNBC this morning around 11:30 a.m.
Unfortunately, USA's Chad Vaughn bombed in the 'B' session with 183kg in the C&J after snatching well at 147kg.
It's odd to see so many uniforms having inconsistent enforcement of rules applied. Adidas stripes are being covered up, while other manufacturers' designs are ignored. Sometimes the name Eleiko on sox and wrist wraps are taped over, sometimes not. Seems the IWF and IOC could work with uniform manufacturers to present a more squared-away presentation. I don't see athletes in other sports looking like they're held together with athletic tape.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Men's 69kg
Tuesday, August 12
China continued their dominance of men's lifting with a win by 20-y.o. Liao with 158-190-348. Teammate Shi was expected to medal as well, but he failed to appear from the warm-up room and the scoreboard reflected his withdrawl from competition. Word has it he had a lower back injury. He had been in 4th place after the Snatch competition.
Lee (KOR) looked strong and had my money for gold, but he failed to Total. His first Jerk resulted in a twisted foot/ankle which took him to the platform. He returned to make a partial attempt on his second, then pulled in, but dumped, 186kg on his final. At the press conference Lee stated that he'd had a cramp. Our crew first called it a cramp, but checking the playback it looked like the injury could have been more serious.
France's Dabaya-Tientcheu snatched well, ending with 151kg. He eventually placed second and seemed pleased. Although called out to 'go for the gold' with 197, his heart wasn't in it and neither second or third attempts were actually lifted.
Have you checked out the online coverage? Check out www.nbcolympics.com and follow the lift-by-lift details. It looks like Chris LeRoux (www.weightliftingexchange.com) is working as the moderator and fielding questions. USA's Woolfolk and Gump put in good performances in today's womens' competition.
China continued their dominance of men's lifting with a win by 20-y.o. Liao with 158-190-348. Teammate Shi was expected to medal as well, but he failed to appear from the warm-up room and the scoreboard reflected his withdrawl from competition. Word has it he had a lower back injury. He had been in 4th place after the Snatch competition.
Lee (KOR) looked strong and had my money for gold, but he failed to Total. His first Jerk resulted in a twisted foot/ankle which took him to the platform. He returned to make a partial attempt on his second, then pulled in, but dumped, 186kg on his final. At the press conference Lee stated that he'd had a cramp. Our crew first called it a cramp, but checking the playback it looked like the injury could have been more serious.
France's Dabaya-Tientcheu snatched well, ending with 151kg. He eventually placed second and seemed pleased. Although called out to 'go for the gold' with 197, his heart wasn't in it and neither second or third attempts were actually lifted.
Have you checked out the online coverage? Check out www.nbcolympics.com and follow the lift-by-lift details. It looks like Chris LeRoux (www.weightliftingexchange.com) is working as the moderator and fielding questions. USA's Woolfolk and Gump put in good performances in today's womens' competition.
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