Throughout the human history, man has shown a penchant for displaying his physical strength and powers. For many prehistoric tribes, the true test of manhood was to lift some special rock. Many such stones, with inscriptions of the athlete’s names that first lifted them, can still be found in Greece and Scottish castles. Stone-throwing competitions still survives in Germany and Switzerland, and rock lifting in the Basque region of Spain.
SOME OF THE MODERN WEIGHTLIFTERS.
The modern weight lifting began in the late 18th and 19th Centuries, fostered by the feats of professional strong men such as Eugena Sandow and Arthu Saxon of Germany, George Hackenschmidt of Russia, Louis apollon of France and others who performed in circuses and music halls.
HISTORY OF WEIGHT-LIFTING.
The first open world championship was held at the Café Monico, Picadilly, London in 1891 and won by the Englishman Lawrence Levy. Two weightlifting competitions were included in the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896. The winner of the one hand lift competitions was Launceston Elliot of great Britain who lifted 71 kg weight, and the winner of the two hand competition was Viggo Jensen of Denmark who lifted 111 kg weight.
The one and two-hand events were held again in 1904 and then in 1920. However later at the suggestion of the International Olympic Committee, the International Weightlifting Federation was formed to control the sport and to formulate its technical rules.
WHO TOOK OVER AND WHEN
Since then the weightlifting has been included in the Olympic Games. The International federation originally included in 14 countries, but in mid 1970’s this number rose to 100.
France an Germany were the leaders in this sport up to 1930’s. But Egypt took over as the leader. After the World War II U.S.A remained supreme in this sport until 1953. Since then erstwhile Soviet Union created most of the World Records in this event.
ACCESSORIES
The modern weightlifting device consists of an Iron Bar to which Weights, in the form of cast iron disc, of different sizes are attached. The weights are attached to each end of the bar on a revolving sleeve. The individual weights include disc of:
25 kg.
15 kg.
10 kg.
5 kg.
2.5 kg.
1.25 kg.
The lifting exercise are performed on a wooden platform, 4 meters square, and if the lifter steps off this platform during the coarse of a lift then it is considered disqualified and not counted in the score.
CATEGORIES
In a competition, the lifters are grouped into categories. Earlier there were 5 bodyweight categories, but now there are 10 bodyweight categories for men. They are:
Flyweight – 52 kg.
Bantamweight – 56 kg.
Featherweight – 60 kg.
Ligthtweight – 67.5 kg.
Middleweight – 75 kg.
Light Heavyweight – 82.5 kg.
Middle Heavyweight – 90 kg.
Plain Heavyweight – 100 kg.
Heavy weight – 110 kg.
Super Heavyweight – above 110 kg.
SOME OTHER FACTS
The lifter first lifts the barbell to his shoulder in a single jerk. He may move his feet to do this. When he stands erect, the chief referee gives him a signal to complete the lift, which he does by pressing the barbell in a steady continuous movement to his arms length overhead without any assistance from his legs.
The competition begins at the lowest weight specified by the lifter and the weight of the barbell is increased in multiples of 2.5 kg. Each lifter takes his turn as required but is only allowed 3 attempts. The increase in weight from the first to the second attempt must be at least 5 kg’s and from second to third attempt 2.5 kg’s. The best of a lifter, on each of the three lifts, are added to give a total. The lifter with the highest total is the winner. In case of a tie in totals the lifter with the lighter weight wins. The weight is taken just 2 hours before the competition.
Two referees and a chief referee adjudicate the lifts and signal their decisions by means of a system of lights. A WHITE LIGHT indicates a GOOD LIFT and a RED LIGHT shows NO LIFT.
In this review I tried to tell you all basic things of weight-lifting.