IFSA 105s: Day 1 by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2007 IronMind
IFSA USA/ASC/NAS president Dione Wessels filed this report after the first day of the IFSA 105kg World Championships, where Gert Gorsanov (Estonia) leads.
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On the podium after the first day of the IFSA 105k World Championships (left to right): Janne Hartikainen (Finland), Gert Gorsanov (Estonia), Alvidas Brazdzius (Lithuania). Photo courtesy of Dione Wessels.
”The 105k World Championships opening ceremony started with many Chinese traditions, with speeches from organizers, executive committee representatives, Panyu City Government and the introduction of the athletes. Also included in the ceremony was the passing of the IFSA flag to Panyu City Government. All was in agreement that IFSA Strongman and Panyu City, China has formed a long lasting friendship and partnership. Many in China refer to Panyu as ‘China’s Strongman Country,’” Wessels reported.
The first day’s competition included one event, the “Ruifeng Sound Cup Medley,” which Wessels explained: “The medley consisted of athletes carrying two sandbags (100 kg each) for 5 meters, loading onto platform; walking 15 meters with farmer’s (120 kg each) in each hand; then flipping a 350-kg tire for four flips in a 90-second time limit.”
The action continues tomorrow: “The athletes will start with the ‘Xiying Yajing Cup Arm Over Arm,’ followed by the ‘Panyu Tourism Cup Farmer’s Walk,’ ‘Baomo Garden Cup Max Deadlift,’ and the ‘Wenhua Down and Feather Cup Atlas Stones,’ Wessels said.
Janne Hartikainen Leads After Second Day at the IFSA 105k World Championships by Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. | ©2007 IronMind
“Today’s events started with the Xiying Yajing Cup Arm Over Arm pull with three Chinese Beauties sitting in the sled,” IFSA USA president Dione Wessels reported.
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Maris Rozental hits an IFSA record on the deadlift at the IFSA 105 kg World Championships. Photo courtesy of Dione Wessels.
This was the beginning of day two in the IFSA 105 kg World Championships, and Wessels’s full report follows:
“The event proved challenging for all athletes, but not overly challenging for everyone. The top five in the event were Zdravko Zanev (Bulgaria, 25.03), Sergi Konyushok (Ukraine, 24.23), Jason Scheepers (South Africa, 21.25), Janne Hartikainen (Finland,20.97), and Gert Gorsanov (Estonia, 20.43). After presenting awards to the top three, the Panyu Tourism Farmer’s Walk (120 kilo each) for 75 meters started. This event proved to be challenging and difficult for many with only seven athletes completing the distance. The top five athletes in the discipline were Janne Hartikainen (Finland, 53.65); Zdravco Zanev (Bulgaria, 53.1), Sergi Konyushok (Ukraine, 47.26), Alvidas Brazdzius (Lithuania, 41.58), and Fouad Hsaini (Holland, 38.28).
The third and final event of the day was the Baomo Garden Cup Max Deadlift. The athletes had to take each attempt. The weight was started at 300 kilos. This weight was a breeze for all but one athlete. After 350 kilos, the apparatus was then loaded to 400 kilograms, and the weight seemed difficult for those left lifting.The apparatus was then loaded to 480 kilos, and three athletes were left. It was a successful attempt for all three, so IFSA directors called for the apparatus to be loaded to 500 kg for the two athletes left, Maris Rozental of Latvia and Danny Andersson of Sweden. Danny gets the bar halfway up, but could not lock out. Now the show stopper Maris is up and the crowd is going wild. Maris picks up the weight, and with perfect form, locks out the weight to take the win in the event and the record as well. The top three finishers were Piotr Piechowiakf of Poland (480 kilos), Danny Andersson of Sweden (480 kilos), and Maris Rozentals of Latvia (500 Kilos).
Following the award ceremony, the athletes were given a tour of the Famous Baomo Garden. They were greeted with a Chinese tradition of Hot Ginger Milk, Tea, and a live orchestra performance.
With four more days to go and six more events, the top three overall so far are Janne Hartikainen of Finland with 56.5 points, Alvidas Brazdzius of Lithuania with 54.5 points, and Sergi Konyushok of Ukraine with 54.5 points.”