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Alekseyev, the Kremlin


Olympic weightlifting: a gruelling athletic discipline where participants aim to maximally lift a loaded barbell. Athletes have three attempts in two lifts: the snatch and the clean & jerk, for a total of six competition lifts. Considered to be the purest application of speed strength, athletes continuously push the limits of human ballistic speed. In the early days of weightlifting, a new breed of athletes took the stage and began replacing the top ranks of the sport. Through many decades of training and analyzing, the Russians were able to come up with a systematic training plan that developed weightlifters in a methodical and progressive manner1. As a result, Russias domination over the reigning champions, who were less regimented, was swift and inevitable. All the Russians were efficient, lean, and were capable of being the worlds best and among these titans stood Vasily Ivanovich Alekseyev, still considered to be the strongest man in the world. Throughout the history of this sport, his domination continues to marvel people today and he is most likely the sports most recognized man. Alekseyev was born January 7, 1942 in the village of Pokrovo-Shiskino, Ryazan Oblast, Russia2. He began practicing weightlifting at the age of 18 and was trained by a coach by the name of Rudolf Plyukfelder for a brief period at Trud Voluntary Sports3. Soon after, he started coaching and training by himself, a very curious decision considering the wealth of knowledge and experience of the Russian weightlifters and coaches. However, the results help to shed light on his decisions as he went on to set 80 world records and 81 Soviet records in weightlifting. He was also the first man to lift over 500lbs in competition. His strange training and coaching methodology were unheard of during his time and is still rare even in the present day. He pushed new boundaries and his performance changed the sport of weightlifting forever.

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At a young age, he moved from his hometown to small village called Shakhty to focus on his mining career and weightlifting2. He first started with home-made barbells and taught himself the movements without the aid of a coach. Alekseyev was helped by various trainers and he listened to their opinions, however he was not a blind follower of orders like the majority of athletes3. He mentioned that his competitors carried out too many suggestions from their coaches and was learning by ear rather than by doing. He further claims that their insecurities were much more evident when they were on their own during the competition. As a result, Alekseyev was using a training regime constructed by himself for himself using the knowledge and experience of others as a foundation. Alekseyev understood that coaching was an imperfect science and was continuously changing his training regime using his body of knowledge and experience as a guide. Alekseyev used the knowledge he gained from his studies at the

Novocherkassk Polytechnical Institute and applied them to his training regime. He mentions that subjects like theoretical mechanics and strength of materials made it easy for him to structure a regime that worked for him, thus demonstrating his uncanny ability to easily apply his scientific knowledge to increase his performance2. His confidence in his knowledge of self-coaching is evident when he states It would be difficult to find a trainer who knew me better than myself.3 A large reason for Alekseyevs avoidance of coaches is because he understood that knowledge is fluid. Coaches at the time were advancing and learning too slowly for Alekseyev. He mentions that I know my own possibilities bestly. No coach knows them. Coaches grow old and they have old ideas3. His understanding of the fluid nature of coaching is further evident when he states There is much talk about the art of training. But there is nothing concrete. I myself keep searching for a rational method3. An interesting fact to note is that although Alekseyev created his own training regime, it did not follow the normal methods and periodizations that other

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coaches used. He was always adapting and applying his knowledge and experience. When asked to explain his training philosophy, he states What is mainly different is that I train more often and I lift more weights than others. I never know when I will train. Sometimes deep in the night, sometimes in the morning. Sometimes several times a day, sometimes not at all. I never repeat myself3. It seems that Alekseyevs two greatest strengths were his ability to understand himself and his body and his insatiable hunger for learning. Alekseyevs training regime contained a large number of supplementary exercises. Many of the top coaches at the time believed in repetitive motions of the competitive lifts would bring good results. However, Alekseyev believed that strengthening the associated muscle groups would bring even better results3. He constructed a huge list of special exercises that he invented and tested on himself. A notable supplementary exercise includes lifting barbells in the swift current of the Volga River in near freezing temperatures. Alekseyev believed that the varying resistance from the flow of water would aid in his training along with the added mental training of performing in extreme environmental conditions1. Alekseyev was an athlete 100% of the time and was always training. His motivation is evident when he states, I have to make every muscle ache to relax. I feel ill when I am not working3. He was willing to do any matter of exercise as long as it gave him the edge to perform better. When asked the reasons for his numerous victories, he is quoted stating If I want something, I will definitely achieve it The more threatening my rivals, the more I spread my wings in defiance of everything3. It would seem that Alekseyev had a strong gamesmanship attitude towards the sport, however many would suggest he held strong values in both gamesmanship and sportsmanship. Although Alekseyev valued and enjoyed winning, that was never his focus during competitions. The most important thing for Alekseyev was to beat

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himself: to lift weights that he had never lifted before3.

He remarks in an interview that the

reason why he excelled above his competitors is because their sole focus was to beat him. His competitors were worrying constantly about his condition and performance causing them to be burned out before even reaching the platform. He mentions that rivals do not worry him however he understood that it is a much better learning experience for him if his rivals were stronger than him3. Alekseyev strived to divert his attention from winning in order to remain focused at the task at hand. He mentions that excitement before a competition can be

dangerous3. Alekseyev never considered his victories a proof of his superiority. His philosophy was never to prove himself or Russia to be superior to others, but was only focused on improving himself3. A true sportsman, his favourite quote was one by Hemingway, Sport teaches you to win honestly. Sport teaches you to lose with dignity sport teaches you life3. As aforementioned, Alekseyev did employ various tactics of gamesmanship as well, although one could argue they were by-products of his training philosophy. Alekseyev would only come to train in the training hall after all the competitors had left as he tried to avoid excessive noise during training to remain completely focused. This also had the effect of rattling his competitors as they were unable to size Alekseyev up prior to the competition3. Furthermore, while others were sleeping, Alekseyev would be running up and down the halls drinking beer, further irritating his opposition. He would also prepare himself prior to his lifts in an unusual manner and was never rushed3. Alekseyevs love and respect for the sport motivated him to do anything to win and he understood that devotion to his sport would require suffering. For example, his diet was one that would serve to maximize his performance. At the height of his career, he weighed over 300lbs and was often seen eating 36-egg omelettes for breakfast2. Alekseyev knew that being such a

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large weight would be harmful to his health, however he deemed it necessary to strengthen the part of the spine near the waist, which he considered to be the weakest part of the human body3. His determination is strongly conveyed when he states Ill have time to work on my figure when I retire from weightlifting. For the moment, I do and will continue to do only that which makes me stronger3. In retrospect, Alekseyev mentions that although it was hard for him to put on the weight, it was even harder to get rid of the weight after retirement2. Oddly, Alekseyev is noted for mentioning that injury is necessary for talented athletes to succeed in weightlifting3. Alekseyev believes that an injury which puts an athlete out of

commission for an extended period of time allows the athlete to sit back and weigh everything. He states After a misfortune, people pull through and become, if possible, great people3. Thus it is evident that Alekseyev promoted learning and particularly thought self-learning was an incredible asset to dominate in the sport of weightlifting. Unlike many champions, Alekseyev was more than happy to share his training and was helping younger athletes well before retiring to become a coach. He never refused anyone his help. His ability to coach others is unquestionable as he was able to increase his students muscle growth and ability substantially in a two-week period3. Each of his students noted that through his unusual training regime they had acquired self-confidence in their own strength. Thus it is clear that Alekseyev was a strong promoter of nutrient power. He knew the best way for the athlete to learn was through increases in self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Within his coaching environment, mastery came first and performance came second. After retirement, Alekseyev started a new weightlifting club in Shakhty in order to revive interest in the sport. Under his leadership, the Unified Team earned ten medals, including five gold medals, in weightlifting at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

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I believe that Alekseyevs intrinsic interest in the sport is the greatest factor attributing to his unrelenting motivation. His strong intrinsic love for the sport helped him to remain

completely focused on his goal of improving himself. He was unhindered by any outside factors, including other athletes, coaches, and reward incentives. His intrinsic interest made sure that he was always learning and always adapting. He was not afraid to try new things and to experiment so long as it improved his performance. Thus, through his intrinsic interest, he was able to teach himself the necessary coaching skills to carry himself and his teammates to the top. It is evident that Alekseyev had effectively mastered himself and found a training regime that suited him best without a coach. He was a strong advocate of doing ones best and always put his victories as a by-product of pushing his own limits. By constantly adapting and learning and maintaining a fluid training regime, he was able to rise to the top as the strongest man in history. He was an intellectual man with phenomenal strength; however his greatest asset seems to be his indomitable will. Furthermore, using his knowledge and experience, he helped others to understand the importance of self. His devotion to the sport was absolute and was intrinsic in nature, evident through his immense sacrifices. His continued coaching after retirement shows he was willing to contribute to the sport in any way he could and his effective methods brought Russia many medals. He is truly a man worthy to be forever recognized in the sport of Olympic weightlifting. References 1. Sorin, R. (2010). A Brief History of Sports Most Recognized Man. www.sorinex.com 2. Lift Up. (2008). Vasily Alexeev, Documentary, 1980s. www.youtube.com 3. Johnson, W. O. (1975). The Best at Everything. Sports Illustrated, 42(15), 92-108.

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