TURKEY COMES TO GREECE WITH ALL ITS TOP STARS He is short (150 cm.), usually weighs 56 kg, but he works wonders: 30-year-old Halil Mutlu of Turkey, has been entered to take part in the 62 kg. category at the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships. The competition will be held 15-20 April in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens. If Mutlu does actually compete, he will be staging a comeback following a year's absence due...
Zlatan Vanev (BUL): “I wasn’t troubled by the fact that I was fifth in the snatch, because that’s what always happens when I compete. It was the same situation in the World Championships in Warsaw last year. I dedicate my medals to my son who celebrates his third birthday today. I feel ready for the world record, that’s why I tried it today.” Iouri Myshkovets (RUS): “This was my first competition since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, as...
Albina Khomitch (RUS): “I am very happy for my success in this beautiful setting. I never expected Agata Wrobel to forfeit her last attempt in the clean & jerk. I respect Wrobel very much and I always take opposition from her seriously.” Agata Wrobel (POL): “The 162.5 kg. were more than I could manage, as I have just returned to training during two weeks ago, following an injury. I am satisfied with the silver medal, although one always...
Evgeny Chigichev (RUS): “This was my first appearance in this category and my first appearance in general after a year’s absence due to injury. I never think about winning a competition, but only concentrating on lifting the weights I can. I will not change to a different category for the Athens Olympic Games. I have been very satisfied by the hospitality and the organisation of the competition and I think Greece is ready to host the 2004...
THE 2003 EUROPEAN WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NUMBERS 761 Accreditation Cards were issued for the needs of the competition. 152 journalists were accredited to cover the event. 30 photographers captured the athletes’ efforts. 206 athletes (128 men and 78 women) took part. 9 European Senior Women’s European Records have been set, as well as three Junior Women’ European Records and one Junior Women’s World Record. A total of 99,277 kg. have been lifted throughout the competition (71,240 kg. in the men’s categories and 28,037...
Latest update: 17/04/2003 17:36 (GMT +3) Post-Competition Press Conference Men's 62 kg.: Halil Mutlu (TUR): “Because of a recent shoulder injury I had to move temporarily to the 62 kg. category. But if I see that the level of opposition remains as is currently, I will continue in this category until the 2004 Olympics. I pursued to create a relationship with the Greek crowd, considering that the next Olympics will be held here and I will appreciate their support. Of...
Nurcan Taylan (TUR): “I was very well prepared for this competition and I knew I’d have good results. My goal now is to win the 2003 World Championships and the 2004 gold medal in the Athens Olympics. The junior world record I broke today was not very difficult. I think the organisation of this competition is excellent and I think of Greeks as my friends.” Izabela Dragneva (BUL): “I’m very satisfied by my appearance, having achieved my best...
SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST CONVERGE AT LOUTRAKI 2003 Georgia’s George Asanidze, one of the three athletes who took part in the “Battle of the Century” at the last Olympic Games, will be competing at the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which begin in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens, on 15 April. Asanidze (85 kg.) won a bronze medal in Syndey, lifting a total of 390 kg.—the exact total that gave Greece’s Pyrros Dimas...
Svetlana Oulyanova (RUS): “It wasn’t difficult for me to win the medals. It was simply my goal and I achieved it, but my mind is already in the World Championships—although I still need to qualify through the Russian National Championships.” Olena Zinovyeva (UKR): “I achieved the goal I had set for myself and I’m satisfied that I had six successful attempts. My next goals are the World Championships of Vancouver and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.” Gema Pires...
POLAND TO ATTEND LOUTRAKI 2003 WITH TOP NAMES Poland attaches special importance to the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which begin on 15 April in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens. This is obvious from the names of the athletes the country has entered in the competition, which include all the best Poland has to show-–with the exception of Marcin Dolega and Agata Wrobel (although the latter does appear as a substitute). Szymon Kolecki (formerly Greece’s...