PROBLEMS OF SAKSONOV

By Charles Coster

THE GREAT ECLIPSE

In Olympic weight lifting circles the name of Saksonov is famous the world over. So remarkable are his athletic achievements that he appears to have been at the "top" for much longer than is in fact the case.

When referring to my dossier at the commencement of writing this article,

came almost as a shock to realize that this U.S.S.R. feather-wt paced a world championship platform for the first time at Helsinki, in 1952. Prior to that date, however, his amazing squat technique lifting ability had, little-by-little, found its way to the world at large. And as he had already bettered the Egyptian Mahmoud Fayad's snatch and clean & jerk records even in those days-he was a "hot favorite" at the Finnish Olympiad.

crown.

It is history now that Nikolai Saksonov did not win the coveted Bay-leaf He was beaten into second place by another Russian phenomenon named Rafael Chimishkyan. The contest was so sensational in character that it deserves mention here; even though the levels set on that occasion have been superseded by more recent, and even dizzier attainments.

These two Soviet Lifters made a

great contrast in styles. .. for Chimishkyan used the fore & aft leg split and Saksonov proved himself to be one of the world's most polished exponents of the controversial squat style of lifting.

By pressing 214, snatching 231 and c&jerking 297 lbs. with a flashing flawless action, the former set his compatriot and friend Saksonov a difficult problem.

The squat lifter was 5 lbs. behind with a press of 209 lbs., but brought forth roars of appreciation by finally squat snatching 231 lbs.

I noticed at the time that his elbow "lock" was not too good . . . and this factor may have been responsible for what followed. Displaying amazing thigh and hip power, Nikolai easily recovered from the squat with 292 lbs.-but the jerk was hard for him to hold. He then flabbergasted everyone by twice successfully squat cleaning 308 but each time failed to finish

lbs.

the jerk overhead.

For years and years before this, the fabulous Egyptian feather-wt Mahmoud Fayad had been making our eyes pop with his regular 731-lb. totals, but never in our long experience had

The remarkable definition of Nikolai Saksonov's muscular physique is apparent in this photo of him completing a 303-pound clean and jerk. Saksonov holds the world featherweight snatch record at 238 and was 1953 world champion, but a relatively poor press ranks him only third at the present among Russian 132-pounders. This photo was taken at Stockholm in 1953. when he won his world title.

STRENGTH AND HEALTH JULY, 1955

we seen

high quality poundages handled as easily as these two Russian athletes could do it. And their totals. were 742 and 731-lbs. respectively. Weight-lifting fans did not have to wait long for more Saksonov activity. Few months went by without a fresh "personal" total being set up in the Soviet Union, or half a kilo (approx. 1 lb.) being added to the world record snatch and clean and jerk in his keeping. He used the traditional Russian "method" in this respect of little and often. Half a kilo success three or four times during the course of a year very soon put his athletic ability in the fantastic category. And by the time the 1953 Stockholm world w-lifting championships arrived the squat style lifter had established a 748-lb. total and had a snatch of 236 lbs. and a clean & jerk of 308 lbs. to his credit. Once again the battle waxed fast and furious between the same two featherweights. But this time the result was reversed in a rather curious way. Saksonov was the new world champion with a 742-lb. total... and Chimishkyan runner-up with 731 lbs. The squat snatch with 231 lbs. went overhead so comfortably that Nikolai asked permission to try 242 lbs. outside the competition. He got the bar to arms' length but failed to lock his arms. His cleans and jerks with 292-303 lbs. were an improvement upon the Helsinki performance and very impressively negotiated. Once again, with his last attempt, he squat cleaned 308 lbs. But, as in Finland, the jerk failed.

I learned that he was a medico, studying for a degree. As far as physical "looks" are concerned... I suppose he is among the most unusual in the Iron Game. He is tall for a feather-wt... very heavily muscled, with maximum definition and absolutely no superfluous tissue. I suspect that he has to train down to the 132-lb. limit... and in the light of recent events I am wondering whether he may try his luck one day as a light-wt??? His head is completely and closely shaven, which adds to the general air of "supermanity" about him.

Russian coaches and trainers are noted for the perfectly trained condition of their Olympic lifters, but Nikolai is outstanding in this respect, having, in spite of big muscles, that "greyhound look" about him.

I watched him weigh-in at Stockholm. He was exactly 60 kilos stripped. He just "glowed" with fitness, and I marvelled at his superb condition. But then he always looks like that. Others have noticed this besides myself, and experienced people have agreed that Saksonov's complete state of muscular fitness suggests that he would be. proficient as a runner, gymnast, wrestler, etc. . . . if suddenly called upon to prove his ability.

On the weight lifting platform, when (Continued on page 65)

CCC

CCP

Even dressed in his warm-up suit (shown next to current world champion Chimishkyan), Saksonov stands out because of his shaven head. The action photo shows an easy success

with 220 snatch, 18 pounds below his record.

STRENGTH AND HEALTH JULY, 1955