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Hellenic Weightlifting Federation
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (20 April) — One hundred and fifty-two journalists were accredited to cover the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which concluded Sunday evening in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens, according to a report issued by the competition Press Office. Other numbers: A total of 99.277 tons were lifted throughout the six-day event (71.240 tons in the men’s categories and 28.037 tons in the women’s categories). Access the full press report from our Press Releases section.
 PRESS
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (20 April) — Evgeny Chigichev of Russia lifted 447.5 kg. (207.5 kg. in the snatch and 240.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) to become the “strongest man in Europe”, as he won the gold medal of the men’s +105 kg. category, on the closing day of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Chigichev clinched the title before his final attempt at 250.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, from which he resigned. Second was Armenia’s Ashot Danielyan, who also lifted 447.5 kg. (205.0 kg. in the snatch and 242.5 kg. in the clean & jerk), but weighed heavier than Chigichev. Third overall was Bulgaria’s Damyan Damyanov, who lifted 442.5 kg. (202.5 kg. plus 240.0 kg.).
 Evgeny Chigichev was born on 28 May 1979 and was the 2001 European Champion. He was fifth in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
MEN’S +105 kg.
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| Representation of a junior athlete lifting two rough stones. (Martin von Wagner Museum, Würzburg). |
The gold medal of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, in Loutraki. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (20 April) — The front side of the medals presented to athletes at the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships is based on an ancient Greek representation of a junior athlete lifting two uncut stones (one in each hand), that is now to be found in the Martin von Wagner Museum, in Würzburg. Although weightlifting was not a part of the ancient Olympic Games, it did appear on the programmes of internal Games of Greek cities, the Perichoroi. A rock dubbed Vyvon’s Rock, weighing 143.5 kg. and dating from the 6th Century bc, has been found at Pelopion, in Elis, near Olympia, the site of the Ancient Olympic Games. An inscription on this rock includes the phrase “Vyvon lifted me over his head with one hand”. Another rock, bearing an inscription according to which it was lifted by Eumastas a few centimetres off the ground, was found on the island of Thera (modern-day Santorini). Click on the images above to view in higher resolution.
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (20 April) — Igor Razoryonov of the Ukraine lifted 425.0 kg. (192.5 kg. in the snatch and 232.5 kg. in the clean & jerk) to earn the continental title in the men’s 105 kg. of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which concludes tonight in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Alan Tsagaev of Bulgaria was second with a total of 420.0 kg. (185.0 kg. plus 235.0 kg.) and Vladimir Smorchkov of Russia was third with a total of 415.0 kg. (195.0 kg. plus 220.0 kg.). Three unsuccessful attempts were made at a new European record in the clean & jerk, by Turkey’s Bunyami Sudas at 235.5 kg., by Poland’s Szymon Kolecki at 237.5 kg. and by Razoryonov also at 237.5 kg.
Thirty-three-year-old Razoryonov was the 1995 and 1998 World Champion and a bronze medalist in the 1994 European Championships.
MEN’S 105 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (20 April) — Petr Sobotka of the Czech Republic leads the standings of the men’s +105 kg. category, following the completion of the B Group, on this last day of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which conclude later Sunday in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Sobotika lifted a total of 412.5 kg. (190.0 kg. in the snatch and 225.5 kg. in the clean & jerk). Second was Marius Alecu of Rumania with a total of 405.0 kg. (180.0 kg. plus 225.0 kg.). The A Group will be held later on Sunday afternoon.
MEN’S +105 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (19 April) — Bulgaria won it’s second gold medal of day five of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, when Milen Dobrev lifted a total of 405.0 kg. (182.5 kg. in the snatch and 222.5 kg. in the clean & jerk) to clinch the continental title of the men’s 94 kg. category, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Sergey Zhukov of Russia was second with a total of 397.5 kg. (180.0 kg. plus 217.5 kg.) and Tadeusz Drzazga of Poland was third with identical scores. Greece’s Olympic gold medalist and European Championships hopeful for a second Greek gold in the total, Kakhi Kakhiasvilis, withdrew from the competition following the snatch (where he was fifth with 177.5 kg.), despite the support of over 2,500 that had crammed into Loutraki’s Sports Hall to cheer him on.
Milen Dobrev was born in Plovdiv on 22 February 1980 and is coached by Plamen Milev. This was his first gold medal in a major seniors’ competition. Previously, he was second in both the 2002 World and European Championships.
MEN’S 94 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (19 April) — Bulgaria’s Zlatan Vanev came back from fifth place in the snatch, to lift 215.0 kg. in the clean & jerk and clinch the European title of the men’s 85 kg. category in the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which are in their fifth day in this spa resort, 80 kilometrew west of Athens. Vanev had lifted 167.5 kg. in the snatch, for a total of 382.5 kg., and made an unsuccessful attempt at 218.5 kg. in the clean & jerk, which would have been a new world record. Second overall was Iouri Myshkovtes of Russia with 380.0 kg. (167.5 kg. in the snatch and 212.5 kg. in the clean & jerk). Four athletes lifted 370.0 kg., but Russia’s Rouslan Lizounov had a lower body weight and won the bronze medal in the total.
Zlatan Vanev was born in Shumen on 29 March 1973 and is coached by Yanko Russev. He was first in the 1997, 1998 and 2002 World Championships and the 1996, 1998 and 2000 European Championships.
MEN’S 85 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (19 April) — Ferenc Gyurkovics of Hungary topped the rankings in the men’s 105 kg. category at the completion of the B Group, on day 5 of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Gyurkovics lifted 387.5 kg. (177.5 kg. in the snatch and 210.0 kg. in the clean & jerk). He was followed Martin Tesovic of Slovakia and Almir Velagic of Germany, both of which lifted 375.0 kg.
MEN’S 105 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (19 April) — Greece’s Nikos Kourtidis leads the rankings of the men’s 94 kg. category, following the completion of the B Group, as day 5 of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships opened here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. The 17-year-old Kourtidis lifted 352.5 kg. (157.5 kg. in the snatch and 195.0 kg. in the clean & jerk). He is followed by Alphonse Matam of France, who lifted 350.0 kg. (157.5 kg. in the snatch and 192.5 kg. in the clean & jerk). Estonia’s Andrus Utsar led the field after the snatch, having lifted 170.0 kg. in his second attempt, but then withdrew from the clean & jerk due to injury. Azerbaijan’s Alibay Samadov, who had three unsuccessful attempts at 160.0 kg. in the snatch, was first in the clean & jerk with a lift of 200.0 kg.
MEN’S 94 kg.
LOUTRAKI, Greece (19 April) — Turkey amassed 521 points and topped the women’s final classification of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, here at this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Russia followed in second place with 501 points and Bulgaria was third with 441 points. A total of 21 countries appear in the women’s final classification.
WOMEN’S FINAL CLASSIFICATION
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (18 April) — Three new photo galleries are available now on this website. Apart from our regular photo & video gallery, which features action pictures from the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens, check out our Expressions & Emotions gallery, our Shots gallery and our Info Services gallery.
EXPRESSIONS & EMOTIONS
SHOTS
INFO SERVICES |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (18 April) — Bulgaria’s Georgi Markov got the better of Turkey’s Reyhan Arabacioglu in a very close battle and successfully defended his European in the men’s 77 kg. category, as day 4 of the 2003 European Championships wound to a close, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Markov lifted a total of 367.5 kg (165.0 kg. in the snatch and 202.5 kg. in the clean & jerk). Arabacioglu lifted 365,0 kg. (165.0 kg. plus 200.0 kg.) and had two missed opportunities to clinch the gold, when he failed to lift 202.5 kg in his last two attempts in the clean & jerk. Third was Poland’s Andrzej Kozlowski, who lifted a total of 350.0 kg. (160.0 kg. plus 190.0 kg.).
Georgi Markov was born in Burgas on 12 March 1978 and is coached by Andon Kodzhabashev. He was silver medalist in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and World and European Champion in 2002.
MEN’S 77 kg.
LOUTRAKI, Greece (18 April) — Albina Khomitch of Russia lifted 285.0 kg. (130.0 kg. in the snatch and 155.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) to clinch the European title of the +75 kg. category in the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Agata Wrobel of Poland, who forfeited two attempts at 162.5 kg. in the snatch & jerk that would have given her the gold, remained in second place with a total of 277.5 kg. (125.0 kg. plus 152.5 kg.). Third overall was Turkey’s Deriya Acikgoz, who lifted 270.0 kg. (115.0 kg. plus 155.0 kg.).
Albina Khmoitch was born Angarsk on 24 June 1976. She was the World Champion in 2001 and the European Champion in 1995, 1999 and 2001.
 Click here to watch a video clip of Albina Khmoitch in the snatch event of the women’s +75 kg. category at Loutraki 2003. (1.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
WOMEN’S +75 kg.
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (17 April) — Galabin Boevski of Bulgaria won three gold medals and was successfully defended his title in the men’s 69 kg. category, as day 3 of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships wound to a close, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Galabinov lifted 347.5 kg (157.5 kg. in the snatch and 190.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) and made an unsuccessful attempt at 197.0 kg. in his last attempt, that would have broken his own clean & jerk world record. Second in the Europeans was Azerbaijan’s Turan Mirzayev, who lifted 340.0 kg. (155.0 kg. plus 185.0 kg.) and third came Turkey’s Celil Ekrem with a total of 325.0 kg. (140.0 kg. plus 185.0 kg.).
Galabin Boevski was born in Kneza Vrtca on 19 December 1974 and is coached by Plamen Asparukhov. He was the 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist and 1999 and 2001 World Champion, as well as 1999 and 2002 European Champion.
Click here to watch a video clip of Galabin Boevski in his unsuccessful attempt at a new world clean & jerk world record in the men’s 69 kg. category at Loutraki 2003. (2.1 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
MEN’S 69 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (17 April) — Russia’s Natalia Zabolotnaia edged another four contenders to clinch the European title of the women’s 75 kg. category, as day 3 of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships continued in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Zabolotnaia lifted 240.0 kg. (107.5 kg. in the snatch and 132.5 kg. in the clean & jerk). Four athletes tied next, each with a total lift of 237.5 kg. But, based on body weight, Bulgaria’s Rumyana Petkova (105.0 kg. in the snatch and 132.5 kg. in the clean & jerk) took the silver, and Greece’s Christina Ioannidou (102.5 kg. in the snatch and 135.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) took the bronze, much to the delight of the over 1,000-strong crowd.
WOMEN’S 75 kg.
LOUTRAKI, Greece (17 April) — Valentina Popova of Russia sailed to a comfortable victory in the women’s 69 kg. category, on day 3 of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Popova lifted 245.0 kg. in total (110.0 kg. in the snatch and 135.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) to successfully defend her European title. Having already clinched first place in the snatch, Popova made a world record attempt at 116.0 kg., but failed. Popova bettered the appearance of Bulgaria’s Milena Trendafilova, who won the overall silver medal with a total of 237.5 kg. (107.5 kg. in the snatch and 130.0 kg. in the clean & jerk). Third came Russia’s Zarema Kasaeva, who lifted 235.0 kg. (105.0 kg. plus 130.0 kg.).
Valentina Popova was born in Voronezh on 25 September 1972 and is coached by her husband, Sergei Popov. She is a weightlifting coach herself. Her impressive collection of medals includes one Olympic silver, three World Championships golds (plus two silvers and two bronzes) and 14 European Championships golds (plus three silvers and one bronze).
Click here to watch a video clip of Valentina Popova in the snatch, as she embarks on her way to yet another European title in the women’s 69 kg. category at Loutraki 2003. (2.1 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
WOMEN’S 69 kg.
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (17 April) — Miroslav Janicek of the Czech Republic was first in the B Group of the men’s 69 kg. category, as the day 3 opened in the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Janicek lifted a total of 315.0 kg. (137.5 kg. in the snatch and 177.5 kg. in the clean & jerk) and was followed by Maurizio Bombaci of Italy (307.5 kg. total) and Romuald Ernault of France (295.0 kg. total). The A Group will be later this evening.
MEN’S 69 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (16 April) — Turkey’s Halil Mutlu sailed to a comfortable victory in the men’s 62 kg. category, lifting a total of 320.0 kg. (145.0 kg. in the snatch and 175.0 kg. in the clean & jerk), as day 2 of the 2003 European Championships wound to a close, here in this spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens. In his new category for the first time, Mutlu found little opposition from Bulgaria’s Stefan Georgiev, who lifted 310.0 kg. (130.0 kg. plus 170.0 kg.) to finish second, and from Henadzi Aliaschuk of Belarus, who lifted 307.5 kg. (137.5 kg. plus 170.0 kg.) to finish third.
Halil Mutlu was born in Postnik, Bulgaria, on 14 July 1973 and is a student. He is a two-time Olympic Champion, a four-time World Champion and a seven-time European Champion. His career total includes 60 international competition medals.
Click here to watch a video clip of Halil Mutlu as he lifts 175.0 kg. in his second and last attempt in the clean & jerk, to become the new European Champion in the men’s 62 kg. category. (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
MEN’S 62 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (16 April) — Anastasia Tsakiri gave Greece its first gold medal in the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, when she lifted a total of 220.0 kg. (100.0 kg. in the snatch and 120.0 kg in the clean & jerk) in the women’s 63 kg. category, as day 2 of the competition continued in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Tsakiri held off the opposition of the Bulgarian pair of Gergana Kirolova, who came in second with identical performances of 220.0 kg. (100.0 kg. in the snatch and 120.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) but had weighed in heavier, and Zlatina Atanasova, who was third with 217.5 kg. (95.0 in the snatch and 122.5 kg. in the clean & jerk), but did win a gold in the snatch & jerk.
Click here to watch a video clip of Anastasia Tsakiri in her final, successful attempt at 120 kg. in the clean & jerk, as she gives Greece its first gold medal in the 2003 European Championships (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
Anastasia Tsakiri was born in Bologna, Italy, on 2 January 1979 and is coached by Christos Iakovou. She is a medical student. Her top performances include a gold medal in the 2002 World Championships and a silver in the 2002 European Championships.
WOMEN’S 63 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (16 April) — Aylin Dasdelen of Turkey set new European records in the snatch (98.0 kg.), the clean & jerk (123 kg.) and the total (220 kg.) as she earned the title of European Champion in the women’s 58 kg. category, on day 2 of the 2003 European Championships, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Second in the total was Dasdelen’s fellow-Turk, Emine Bilgin, who lifted 97.5 kg. in the snatch and 115.0 kg. in the clean & jerk for a total of 212.5 kg. Bilgin did clinch the gold in the snatch, though, on as she tied with Dasdelen, but weighed-in lighter. Third in the total was Great Britain’s Michael Breeze with 202.5 kg. (90 kg. and 112.5 kg. –both in her first attempts).
Aylin Dasdelen, last year’s European Champion in the 53 kg. category, was born on 1 Januray 1982 and is a student. Her first major international success was at the tender age of 15, during the 1997 European Championships, where she won the gold medal in the snatch of the 54 kg. category.
Click here to watch a video clip of Aylin Dasdelen in action at Loutraki, where she broke three European records and won the European title of the women’s 58 kg. category (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
Earlier in the day, Greece’s Charis Mouzenidis took a lead the rankings of the Men’s 62 kg. Category, following the completion of Group B. Twenty-year-old Mouzenidis lifted 120.0 kg. in the snatch and 145.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, for a total of 265.0 kg., which brings him ahead of second-placed Tom Goegebuer of Belgium (260.0 kg.) and third-placed Refat Bardhi of Albania (242.5 kg.).
MEN’S 62 kg.
WOMEN’S 58 kg.
WOMEN’S 63 kg. |
 LOUTRAKI, Greece (16 April) — On behalf of the Greek Weightlifting Federation and its president Yannis Sgouros, Galanis Sports Data, the company responsible for all the information services (including Closed Circuit TV, Intranet, TV Graphics and this website) at the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, has released an interactive multimedia CD-ROM of Greek weightlifting. The CD presents the history, achievements and 2004 Olympics aspirations of Greek weightlifting in both the Greek and English languages and is being distributed to officials, delegation members and Press during this competition. The 2003 European Weightlifting Championships are being held in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens, 15 to 20 April.
INFORMATION SERVICES |
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (16 April) — Souad Dinar of France lifted 195.0 kg. (85.0 kg. in the snatch and 110.0 kg. in clean & jerk) to lead the Women’s 58 kg. Category, after completion of the B Group, Wednesday morning, as day 2 of the 2003 European Championships got underway in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Second in the rankings was Italy’s Silvia Puxeddu with a total of 190.0 kg. (85.0 kg. plus 105.0 kg.). In the women’s 63 kg. Category, with only two athletes in the B Group, Marlene Gudin lifted 172.5 kg. (77.5 kg in the snatch and 95.0 kg. in the clean & jerk). earlier in the morning Greece’s Charis Mouzenidis took a lead the rankings of the Men’s 62 kg. Category, following the completion of Group B. Twenty-year-old Mouzenidis lifted 120.0 kg. in the snatch and 145.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, for a total of 265.0 kg., which brings him ahead of second-placed Tom Goegebuer of Belgium (260.0 kg.) and third-placed Refat Bardhi of Albania (242.5 kg.). The A Group of the Category will be held later this evening.
MEN’S 62 kg.
WOMEN’S 58 kg.
WOMEN’S 63 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (16 April) — Greece’s Charis Mouzenidis leads the rankings of the Men’s 62 kg. Category, following the completion of Group B, Wednesday morning, as day 2 of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships began in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Twenty-year-old Mouzenidis lifted 120.0 kg. in the snatch and 145.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, for a total of 265.0 kg., which brings him ahead of second-placed Tom Goegebuer of Belgium (260.0 kg.) and third-placed Refat Bardhi of Albania (242.5 kg.). The A Group of the Category will be held later this evening.
MEN’S 62 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (15 April) — Vitali Derbeniev of Belarus successfully defended his European title in the Men’s 56 kg. Category. The 27-year-old won lifted 127.5 kg. in the snatch and 147.5 kg. in the clean & jerk for a total of 275.0 kg. and won two golds and a silver as the opening day of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships concluded in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Derbeniev got an early lead in the snatch and held off opponent Adrian Jigau of Rumania, who lifted a total of 270.0 kg. (120.0 kg. in the snatch and 150.0 kg. in the clean & jerk) to earn the silver medal overall (plus one more silver and a gold). Third overall was Nayden Rusev of Cyprus, who had a total of 250.0 kg. (110.0 kg. in the snatch and 140.0 kg. in the clean & jerk).
Derbeniev was born on 5 August 1976 and is coached by Hancharu. He was seventh in the Sydney Olympics, eighth in the 2001 World Championships and European Champion last year.
Click here to watch a video clip of Vitali Derbeniev, as she successfully lifts 147.5 kg. in the clean & jerk, to successfully defend his European title (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
MEN’S 56 kg. |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (15 April) — Twenty-year-old Nurcan Taylan of Turkey set six new European and one new world records (and tied two more world record), as she was crowned the 2003 European Champion in the women’s 53 kg. Category on the opening day of the European Weightlifting Championships in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Taylan lifted 95.0 kg. in the snatch and 115.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, for a total of 210.0 kg., breaking the previous senior and junior continental records on all counts. She also broke the junior world record in the total and tied the junior world records in the snatch and the clean & jerk. Previously, Bulgaria’s 32-year-old Izabela Dragneva had broken European records in the snatch (93.0 kg.), the clean & jerk (113.0 kg.) and the total (205.0 kg.), but held them for only a few minutes. Moreover, Dragneva had to console herself with just the silver medal. Rumania’s Marioara Munteanu won the three bronze medals with 187.5 kg. in total (85.0 kg in the snatch and 102.5 in the clean & jerk).
Taylan was born in Ankara on 29 October 1983 and is coached by Mehmet Öztündag. She is a student and likes to read, listen to music and go to the movies in her spare time. She was second in the 2002 World Championships, amongst many other international distinctions.
Click here to watch a video clip of Nurcan Tayla, as she successfully lifts 115.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, breaking several European and on world records in the process (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
WOMEN’S 53 kg.
LOUTRAKI, Greece (15 April) — Svetlana Oulyanova of Russia is the new European Champion in the Women’s 48 kg. Category of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which began today in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Oulyanova clinched the gold with a successful lift of 100.0 kg. in her third attempt in the clean & jerk, for a total of 175.0 kg. Oulyanova edged the Ukraine’s Olena Zinovyeva, who finished second overall with the same result, but a higher body weight by 140 grams. Oulyanova, who was runner-up to Zinovyeva in last year’s European Championships, lifted 75.0 kg. in the snatch (bronze medal) and 100.0 kg. in the clean & jerk. Zinovyeva won the gold in the snatch (80.0 kg.) and the silver in the clean & jerk (95.0 kg.). Third overall with 167.5 kg. was Spain’s Gema Peris, who also won a silver in the snatch (75.0 kg.) and a bronze in the clean & jerk (92.5 kg.).
Ulyanova was born in Nizhny Tagil on 29 September 1979 and is coached by Nikolai Pyatnitski. She has a degree in Physical Education and is a two-time National Champion and was fifth in the 2002 World Championships.
Click here to watch a video clip of Svetlana Oulyanova’s last successful attempt at 100.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, which earned her the title of 2003 European Champion (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
WOMEN’S 48 kg.
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| LOUTRAKI, Greece (15 April) — Svetlana Oulyanova of Russia is the new European Champion in the Women’s 48 kg. Category of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships, which began today in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Oulyanova clinched the gold with a successful lift of 100.0 kg. in her third attempt in the clean & jerk, for a total of 175.0 kg. Oulyanova edged the Ukraine’s Olena Zinovyeva, who finished second overall with the same result, but a higher body weight by 140 grams. Oulyanova, who was runner-up to Zinovyeva in last year’s European Championships, lifted 75.0 kg. in the snatch (bronze medal) and 100.0 kg. in the clean & jerk. Zinovyeva won the gold in the snatch (80.0 kg.) and the silver in the clean & jerk (95.0 kg.). Third overall with 167.5 kg. was Spain’s Gema Peris, who also won a silver in the snatch (75.0 kg.) and a bronze in the clean & jerk (92.5 kg.). Ulyanova was born in Nizhny Tagil on 29 September 1979 and is coached by Nikolai Pyatnitski. She has a degree in Physical Education and is a two-time National Champion and was fifth in the 2002 World Championships.
Click here to watch a video clip of Svetlana Oulyanova’s last successful attempt at 100.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, which earned her the title of 2003 European Champion (2.8 MB, mpeg format, 352×288 pixels).
Earlier in the day, Ivan Hernandez of Spain lifted 102.5 kg. in the snatch and 122.5 kg in the clean & jerk (for a total of 225.0 kg) to lead the Men’s 56 kg. Category following the completion of the B Group, Alena Lutarevich of Belarus leads the women’s 53 kg. Category following the completion of the B Group. She lifted 65.0 kg. in the snatch and 95.0 kg. in the clean & jerk, for a total of 160 kg. The A Groups of these Categories will be held later this afternoon and evening.
MEN’S 56 kg.
WOMEN’S 48 kg.
WOMEN’S 53 kg. |
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (15 April) — A revised schedule for the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships has been released by the Organising Committee. This is now available online on this website.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (15 April) — Ivan Hernandez of Spain lifted 102.5 kg. in the snatch and 122.5 kg in the clean & jerk (for a total of 225.0 kg) to lead the Men’s 56 kg. Category following the completion of the B Group, Tuesday morning, as the 2003 European Championships got underway in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. The A Group of the Men’s 56 kg. Category will be held later this evening. Next on the schedule are the women’s 48 kg. and 53 kg. B Groups.
MEN’S 56 kg.
WOMEN’S 48 kg.
WOMEN’S 53 kg.
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Opening Ceremony, Monday evening in Loutraki
Photo: NewSports |
LOUTRAKI, Greece (14 April) —
In the shadow cast by the worst traffic accident in Greece in three decades, which left 21 schoolchildren dead, the Opening Ceremony of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships marked the beginning of the competition, here in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Because of national mourning today in Greece, a planned live concert by popular Greek artist Vassilis Papakonstantinou, was cancelled. A minute’s silence was respected during the Opening Ceremony, in honour of the students that died Sunday evening in northern Greece while returning from an excursion. Nonetheless, well over 2,500 spectators filled the Loutraki Sports Hall to capacity, to watch a parade of participating teams and hear speeches by Yannis Sgouros, president of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation and of the Executive Committee of these championships, by Mayor Pavlos Pavlou, by Dr. Tamás Aján, President of the International Weightlifting Federation, by Giorgos Paliatsos, representative of the National Bank of Greece–National Sponsor of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation, by Giorgos Lianis, Vice-Minister of Sports, and by Waldemar Baszanowski, president of the European Weightlifting Federation. The competition proper begins Tuesday 15 April, with the Men’s 56 kg. and the women’s 48 kg. and 53 kg. categories. A total of 41 countries are represneted.
PHOTO GALLERY
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 LOUTRAKI, Greece (14 April) — Poland’s Waldemar Baszanowski has been elected to serve a second term as president of the European Weightlifting Federation. The European Federation’s Electoral Congress was held in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens, on the eve of the 2003 European Championships which begin on Tuesday 15 April. Mr. Baszanowski was the sole candidate for the presidency. Yannis Sgouros, president of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation, was re-elected as 1st vice-president of the EWF. The Congress also confirmed the following venues as hosts of future competitions: Kiev (Ukraine) will host the 2004 senior European Championships, next April; Burgas (Bulgaria) will host the 2004 junior European Championships in September of that year; and Stavanger (Norway) will host the 2004 under-17 European Championships in July of that year.
EWF CONGRESS |
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LOUTRAKI, Greece (14 April) — The Organisers of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships have released the final and official Starting Lists of the competition, which are now available on this website. The competition begins on Tuesday morning (local time), 15 April, at the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens.
PRE-ENTRY LISTS
LOUTRAKI, Greece (14 April) — The live concert by Vassilis Papakonstantinou scheduled for the Opening Ceremony of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships has been cancelled, due to the national mourning, following the death of 21 schoolchildren in a tragic traffic accident, Sunday evening in northern Greece. The rest of the Opening Ceremony of the competition, Monday evening, 14 April, will be held as originally scheduled. The European Championships begin on Tuesday 15 April in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens.
Photo of the Loutraki Sports Hall, ready to host the European Championships.
Click for higher resolution photo (1.02 MB).
LOUTRAKI, Greece (13 April) — Executive Committee president, Yannis Sgouros, made a final inspection visit to the Loutraki Sports Hall that will host the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships. The competition begins Tuesday (15 April) morning in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Mr. Sgouros was accompanied by Dr. Tamás Aján, president of the International Weightlifting Federation, who had just flown in and driven straight from the airport to Loutraki. An Opening Ceremony will be held on Monday (14 April) evening and will include a live concert by one of Greece’s most popular artists, Vassilis Papakonstantinou. Check out our Photo Gallery and Info Services sections for images of the final stages of preparations and more information on what will be on offer during the competition.
PHOTO GALLERY
INFO SERVICES
LOUTRAKI, Greece (9 April) — Head coach of the Greek National team will release the final list of athletes to represent Greece at the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships on Friday (11 April), following the last training session, it was announced at a Press Conference. The competition begins in this spa resort, 80 kilometres west of Athens, on Tuesday 15 April.
PRESS RELEASE
ATHENS, Greece (4 April) — The Organisers of the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships have released an updated pre-entry list of the event, which begins on 15 April at the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens. The list include 261 athletes (166 men and 95 women) from a total of 35 countries. The list is to be controlled and verified before the official and final starting lists are issued.
PRE-ENTRY LISTS
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| President Yannis Sgouros (centre), Mayor Pavlos Pavlou (right) and National Bank of Greece representative, Mr. Paliatsos at the Press Conference |
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Photo: Newsports
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ATHENS, Greece (3 April) — “It is during dire times that we prepare to host the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships,” said the President of the competition’s Executive Committee, Yannis Sgouros, referring to the ongoing war in Iraq, as he opened the official Press Conference on the Championships, today. “But let us not forget that sports brings peoples together, instead of dividing them. Still, we can only wish for a speedy end to the Iraq conflict and hope that the war will be over before we start the competition.” The 2003 Men’s & Women’s European Weightlifting Championships begin on 15 April in the spa resort of Loutraki, 80 kilometres west of Athens. Mr. Sgouros, who is also the President of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation and General Secretary of International Weightlifting Federation, was accompanied on the panel of the Press Conference by the Mayor of Loutraki, Pavlos Pavlou, representatives of the main sponsors of the competition, National Bank of Greece and Club Hotel Loutraki, as well as other members of the Executive Committee. On occasion of Loutraki hosting the event, Mr. Sgouros stressed the importance of local communities taking an active role in organising such competitions and pointed out that this is the first time that a championship of such calibre is held outside the two main cities of Greece, Athens or Thessaloniki. Mayor Pavlos Pavlou, pointed out that it is of special importance for his town to host such an event, as it gives Loutraki the opportunity to show itself to the rest of the world and promote the municipalities plans to expand its sport tourism programme.
IMAGES OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE PHOTO GALLERY
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 LOUTRAKI, Greece (28 March) — The spa-city of Loutraki is getting ready to host the 2003 European Weightlifting Championships. As all of sporting Greece gears up in anticipation of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the continent’s top athletes are expected in Loutraki in a bid for top honours. This website will keep all interested in the event informed with background information on the host town and surrounding region (including a survival guide and suggestions for visitors’ free time), news and reports from the competition (including photo & video highlights of the event), as well as real-time on-line results as action develops in each category.
- The Venue section provides background information on Loutraki, the host city of the competition, plus a survival guide for visitors, with details on matters of currency, time, phones and much more.
- The Competition Schedule section lists the whole, week-long time schedule, with live links to pages with full information on each category. Please note that all times mentioned are local (Greenwich Mean Time +3).
- Real-time online results will be available in the Results & Standings Section throughout the competition, with pages automatically updated every few minutes, as each category progresses.
- The Photo & Video Gallery will offer action shots (in thumbnail and high resolution formats) of athletes as the competition progresses, plus brief, low-res action video-clips.
- The Press section will include all official Press Releases of the competition Press Office.
- The Downloads section brings together all documents available from this website in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
- The Info Services section outlines the electronic information services that will be on offer to Organisers, Accredited Press and spectators by the Galanis Sports Data Company. These include Closed Circuit TV networks, an intranet and this website, as well as the TV graphics support for domestic and international TV coverage.
- The Links section offers outside links to sites of interest to visitors to the competition and to weightlifting fans in general.
Thank you for visiting and please keep checking back on this website for breaking news and more information as this becomes available.
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