Weightlifting is considered to be among the most grueling sports in the Olympics. The dramatic expression of strength and speed is equally thrilling both when it succeeds and, one must add, when it fails.
Olympic weightlifting can be divided into two parts, the ‘Clean & Jerk’ and the ‘Snatch’. Both of these require that the weightlifters lift the load bar from its resting position on the ground above their heads, the difference
between the two types of lifts being very slight. The ‘Clean & Jerk’ is performed in two movements where the lift from the ground to the chest is called the ‘Clean’ while the lift from the chest to above the head is called the ‘Jerk’.
The ‘Snatch’ on the other hand is one straight lift that is lifting the bar from the ground to above the head in one single motion. This is perhaps the more complex of the two lifts.
Choosing the weight to start with entirely depends upon what the weightlifter can bear. For the selected bars, each weightlifter has three attempts. If the lift is successful, the bars for the next lift are chosen, however they
must be at least 2.5 kg heavier. The overall ranking of an athlete is calculated by the combination of the maximum weights he/she can lift in the two events.
The ‘choice’ given to the athletes for lifting the bars plays a tactical role in the sport as it helps in determining how much weight should be chosen for the first lift. Successful lifts are vital for building the confidence of
the weightlifter which is vital as it sets the groundwork for the following lifts and the weightlifters potential medal chances.
As for the original question asked that is what makes a successful weightlifter, the answer primarily depends upon the height of the athlete, and secondly upon the development of power. Contrary to general perception, a taller
athlete in this sport does not make a better weight lifter; rather the contrary. a smaller athlete would have shorter arms, legs and spine, and the shorter these are the shorter the distance the bar would be travelling.
After height, the development of power is the key to success. Power here is defined as the ability and speed with which the muscles can contract and expand while having a weight upon them.
An athlete possesses two types of muscles, generally known as the Slow Twitch Muscles and the Fast Twitch Muscles. Successful weightlifters usually have to work hard upon their Fast Twitch Muscles as they play a primary role in
providing the strength and speed with which the weight is taken from ground to above the head.
The biomechanics of a successful weightlifter involves different phases, though while training the focus is usually upon the arms, the legs too must not be ignored as they work as the main ballasts, anchoring the lifter. Moreover,
since most of the power is produced by the back and the Gluteal Muscles, one must ensure exceptionally strong back muscles, they being the main levers in this enterprise.
As with all sports, the development of strong mental faculties is essential and muscle power here must be matched by will power and determination. Believing that you can lift a 3 of 400 kg bar is just as important as having the
physical wherewithal to do so. Weightlifting coaches around the globe are of the view that success to championship winning levels is 80 percent dependent upon psychological factors.
Coaches also stress upon having competitive experience which is a helping tool to win this mind over body battle. While addressing their psychological fears they can also seek help from exercises where they picture themselves successfully
lifting heavy weights, visualizing it before the actual performance.
Weightlifters worldwide believe that weightlifting is the ultimate challenge for athletes as they only have to rely upon simple tactics and simple equipment where they are forced to push their bodies to the absolute limits. It
is perhaps during the sport that they discover how much a certain frame of mind or attitude can affect their lift.
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