Total Physique Online

This is unbelieveable. I mean, I believe it, but it is unbelievable. Know what I mean?

In fact, a year later, Taranenko nailed 266! That’s kilograms folks. 585+lbs.

The human body is amazing.

For the uninitiated, the movement being performed so gracefully in the video above is called a Clean and Jerk. Lousy name. Great exercise.

The Clean and Jerk is one of two movements that are judged in the sport known as Olympic Weightlifting. The second of the two lifts is known as the Snatch. Good name. Dangeroud Lift.

Traditionally, the sport of weightlifting has been dominated by USSR/Russia and parts of eastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Romania. Recently, however, many Asian lifters has begun to make a name for themselves and their respective countries as the popularity of the sport of weightlifting has spread.

The Clean and Jerk is a multi-phased movement. The primary objective is to lift, or Clean, the barbell to the shoulders in one powerful motion. From there, the weight is driven overhead and caught at arms lenght. Taranenko is using what’s known as the “split technique”, which became increasing popular during the 1960′s.

The Snatch is a much more difficult and dangerous movement. Many competitive athletes have been crushed performing this movement, elbows and knees shattered beyond recognition, or worse.

In the Snatch, the athlete starts in the same position as in the above video, but takes a wider grip on the bar. In one quick, powerful motion the weight is jerked from the floor, and caught at arms length overhead.

Naim Suleymanoglu is a Turkish weightlifter who has set numerous records and won Gold in three Olympic games (’88, ’92 and ’96). He typically competed at 62 kg and currently is retired from the sport.

Here are two definitive video’s of Naim

As a point of interest, the Snatch is dangerous because the athlete has very little options or routes of escape should, for some reason, the weight come crashing down on him (or in this case, her). The head and neck area is particularly vulnerable during this lift, and if a knee or elbow blows out, watch out!

More to come…

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