International All-Round Weightlifting Tournament “Challenge Cup” Became Close Contest between Union State and US teams. The Former Won the Day.

As is reported by BelTA, the international all-round weightlifting tournament “Challenge Cup”, which was held in Minsk for “Lad” TV channel prizes, became a close contest between Union State and US teams, the former winning the day. Cup competitions were timed to the national days – Belarus Independence Day (3rd July) and US Independence Day (4th July).

As is reported by BelTA, the international all-round weightlifting tournament “Challenge Cup”, which was held in Minsk for “Lad” TV channel prizes, became a close contest between Union State and US teams, the former winning the day. Cup competitions were timed to the national days – Belarus Independence Day (3^rd July) and US Independence Day (4^th July).

Each team included five athletes. Three Russians (captain – Elbrus Nigmatulin) and two Belarusians – Sergey Ryumin and Alexander Lapyrev played for Union State team.

Enthralling power extreme contest intrigued the audience up to the moment when final exercise was performed by the last contestant - resident of Chelyabinsk Elbrus Nigmatulin. Having scored 56 points, Union State team captain became the winner in the individual event as well leaving behind Jason Bergman (51 point). “Bronze” was won by Brian Show, captain of the American team – 42 points.

In the team event Union State team has scored only 2 points against visiting team – 166 against 164.

The programme of the weightlifting tournament included 5 types of exercises plus a relay race. The contest was opened by the so-called farm walk during which the contestants should carry suitcases weighting 140 kg (one in each hand) as far as possible. The second programme event became speed alternate lifting of four beams weighting 120, 130, 140 and 150 kg. After that powerful men being in the squatting position had to raise “Volkswagen” car as many times as possible. Time limit for this exercise was not more than 75 seconds. The next test for the contestants was called “Conon carousel”. The sportsmen had to drag as far as possible a huge box weighting 360 kg and fixed to a horizontal metal bar which was to be moved circle-wise. One of the most spectacular became the fifth task being a combination of two exercises. First, the contestants went for a “duck walk” – to cover a distance of 12.5 meters with a 200-kilo suitcase between legs. Then the athletes had to turn over a huge tyre from the tractor T-150, which weighs 300 kg, 6 times.

By the final round named “Atlas Stones” there were two obvious leaders in the individual event: Elbrus Nigmatulin – 47 points and Jason Bergman – 43 points. Final task presupposed speed alternate lifting of stones weighing 115, 125, 135, 155 and 165 kg onto the platform 140 cm in height.

Despite the fact that by this time a lot of energies had already been expended, 8 out of 10 participants managed to lift all the stones. The fastest was Brian Show, captain of the US team. Elbrus Nigmatulin ranked second which was confirmed by video recording. The third was Jason Bergman. Exactly such order of winners made it possible for the Union State team to gain the victory in the team event.