Powerlifting worthy of a milestone anniversary
Powerlifting at the XXV Estonian Championships turned out to be exactly the kind of day you would expect from an anniversary edition: a long competition, plenty of nerves and records that got the hall roaring. The federation’s tenth birthday was celebrated at Reval-Sport at the same time, and by the end of the day it was clear that the sport had by no means been dozing.
Powerlifting and the anniversary evening at Reval-Sport: worthy of the milestone
The competition began at midday and dragged on until nine in the evening. Only citizens could take part this time, but the numbers did not drop: there were six women and thirty-three men. That is a decent picture for Estonian powerlifting, especially considering this was the season-opening competition.
The opening remembered the men who had built the sport. Plaques of appreciation went to former president Arnold Tokko, who now worked mainly in bodybuilding, and to Jaan Kärner, one of the federation’s founders and its newly appointed chief judge. Praise also went to the host club, its manager Partasjuk and the manager’s hardworking team.
New president Kaido Leesmann said in his greeting that powerlifting had shaken off its lethargy and was on the rise again. It was also mentioned later that the most work lies in strengthening the organization and expanding the sport’s geography. Leesmann knew competition pressure well firsthand: in powerlifting there were two golds, and in checkers 16 Estonian champion titles.
Records, nerves and powerlifting on stage: worthy of the milestone
A little nervousness comes with a day like this. Rain Karu, who competed at last year’s World Championships, was looking for a suitable shirt and didn’t find one on the first try. The jury of Kaido Leesmann, Jaan Kärner, Ants Rosenbaum and Raimo Kaasik held a quick consultation. Tarmo Mit, who had come through knee surgery, was meanwhile looking across the stage. Mit’s own turn came later; before that, the lifters in Mit’s charge went into the fire, led by Inna Terasmaa.
Andrus Murumets, a graduate of the Internal Security Academy, was a completely new face. The atmosphere was familiar from strongman shows, but the Estonian Championships added a different kind of weight to it. The entertainer Raimo Aas joked over the hall that, compared with Finnish skiers, our guys even stand faster than they ski. Honestly, a line like that keeps the air moving on a tense day.
Title defender Tiiu Kimber from Pärnu came up to the barbell to squat. Kimber squatted 52.5 kg and the first record was born. Later Kimber added another five kilos, and that was not the last word. Inna Terasmaa’s meteoric rise began at 100 kilos. In the up to 60 kg class the Estonian record went up by 15 kilos. Maran Meldre took care of the youth and junior records with an extra attempt, squatting 152.5.
What decided the result of the competition?
Going through the favorites with the chief judge, Köster, Nurmeots, Päll and Ilvest quickly came up. From the hall it was heard that Murumets starts squatting when the others have reached their ceiling: 270. To become the champion of champions, it helped to be light and lift a lot. For the 140-kilo Mit it was therefore hard, but not impossible, to wrap the whole thing up. Köster weighed in the day before, a kilo lighter, and the up to 75 kg class was Köster’s category again.
The first to drop out was Janek Nurmeots of Reval-Sport. 230 went unconquered because the judges did not accept the squats. Raul Köster, in turn, made a fateful mistake on the first squat: the sore shoulder took another small knock because of a wrong hand position. Instead of the planned 710, the total ended up at 655 kg.
Kaido Leesmann noted that the squat and the deadlift are the main lifts, while the bench press counts for less when it comes to points. On the Wilks table it isn’t only kilos that decide. In the second round Köster still reached the record, though a protest was heard. The judges were unanimous: 3:0. In the bench press, however, Köster immediately fell 15 kilos short, and the overall win was no longer certain.
The women’s points standings were clearer: Terasmaa of TÜ SK, Jegorova of Muskel-Sport and Mikk of Pärnu Ring. When the big men took the platform, Murumets began by taking the record from Gröön, squatting with a 290.5 barbell. Then came the man from Viljandi and got the Estonian mark back: 292.5 kilos. That was also a junior record. Attempts over three hundred did not succeed.
In the bench press, Tarmo Mitt repeated 215 after the surgery and set the record mark at 225 kg. Guest Maiori did 230 and showed the others the way. In the deadlift Murumets’s talent broke out: 285 and 305, and a record total of 795. Mit left behind a mark of 325 and 840 kg. These were elite results. In the end it turned out that on the Wilks table Mit still had fewer points than Köster: 0.36, but still.
Powerlifting for the audience: what to look for?
When you watch a competition like this from the hall, it isn’t only the kilos that matter. What counts is whether the squat is deep enough, whether the body stays under control in the bench press, and whether the barbell stays in the hands until the signal in the deadlift. That is exactly where it gets exciting for the audience. So what actually happens? One white light can change the mood. One red light can take away a record.
Raimo Aas summed up the day well: every sixth attempt produced a record. Jaan Kärner called it an average competition and invited everyone to come and watch the next powerful show at Kalev Hall on 10 May. Secretary General Margus Silbaum, who skipped this competition as a participant, took care of the protocol. According to Silbaum, there is still time: the year had only just begun.
FAQ
Why is the Wilks table used in powerlifting?
The Wilks table helps compare athletes of different body weights. A larger amount lifted doesn’t always mean a better points result, because the lifter’s body weight is also taken into account.
Which lifts make up a powerlifting competition?
A competition consists of three lifts: the squat, the bench press and the deadlift. The total is made up of the best successful attempts in each lift.
Why can a record attempt fail?
There are several reasons: a technical error, a barbell that is too heavy, wrong timing or the judges’ decision. In powerlifting, strength alone is not enough; the rules must also be followed precisely.
Author: Aare Kreilis
Source: WHO – physical activity.
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