Another bronze medal was brought to collection of Turkmenistan national team at Asian Weightlifting Championship in Tashkent. It was won by 29-year old Honored Master of Sports Rejepbay Rejepov in the weight category up to 81 kg.
10 sportsmen from 9 countries, which included famous sportsmen and representatives of the leading in the world Chinese weightlifting school – champion of London Olympics, silver medalist of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 5-time World Champion Lyu Xiaojun and prize winner of the world championships in 2018 and 2019, acting Asian champion, two-time winner of the IWF World Cup Li Dayin, contested for the medals in this weight category.
Having not lifted declared 155 kg in the first attempt in snatch, R. Rejepov has added 1 kg to initial weight in the second attempt and confidently lifted 156 kg. His main opponent in the contest for the medals Muhammdkodir Toshtemirov from Uzbekistan has finished the first part of the competition on the 3rd position lifting 160 kg from the third attempt. In the contest for the silver in snatch, Rejepbay declared 161 kg in the final attempt trying to overcome the opponent. Nevertheless, Turkmen weightlifter couldn’t lift the weight and in the results was on the 5th position in this program.
Despite this fact, our fellow countryman did not lose his heart and joined the contest for medals in the second discipline – clean and jerk. In the first attempt, he confidently lifted 185 kg. In his turn, Uzbek sportsman finished the contest with result of 193 kg in snatch and 353 in total.
At this time, Rejepbay takes another attempt to overcome his opponent at the host Asian championship. In the second attempt, he declared 195 kg – the weight, which would guarantee a silver to our athlete in clean and jerk.
“Do your best!” – Head Coach of Turkmenistan National Team Artur Emiryan said to his sportsman taking him out to the podium.
Rejepbay came to the weight. “Do not rush, do not rush, stop!” – the voice of our coach was heard.
After a moment, R. Rejpov has taken the weight to the chest and after pushed the weight up over his head confidently. Two out of three referees counted the attempt. Our sportsman raise his hand with joy. Coaches congratulate Rejepbay on the conquered weight. At this moment, the competitions was haulted, after which it was found out that referees did not count 195 kg lifted by R. Rejepov.
Upset by the referees’ decision, Turkmen weightlifter declared 198 kg in the final attempt hoping to overcome the athlete from Uzbekistan in total result and to win the silver. But he could not lift this weight.
In the result, having gained 341 kg in total (156+185), Rejepbay finishes at the third position. It was supported by the fact that acting Asian Chmapion Li Dayin from China who won the gold in snatch with the world record of 175 kg has not managed to lift declared weight in clean and jerk (198 kg) and finished the competitions with zero result.
Muhammadkodir Toshtemirov (Uzbekistan) has become a silver medalist – 353 kg (160+193). Numerous owner of the world records Lyu Xiaojun (China) – 373 kg (174+199) has become Asian champion. Having won the gold in the first attempt lifting 199 kg, he tried two times to beat the world record in clean and jerk trying to lift 208 kg. however, he could not beat the record.
Having won the bronze at the Asian Championship, Rejepbay Rejepov has brought important 66 points to Turkmenistan team for qualification to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
It is remarkable that he started going in for weightlifting in Gurbansoltan-eje district, Dashoguz Region under his father – Honored Coach of Turkmenistan Mumin Rejepov, who gave way to big sports to many talented athletes. In the last years, Rejepbay improves his skills in Ashgabat from the Head Coach of National team Artur Emiryan, he is 2017 vice world champion, silver medalist of 2017 Asian Championship, Champion of V Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games, winner of the 5th Qatar International Cup 2018, bronze medalist of 2019 IWF World Cup.
At the last world championship in Pattaya (Thailand) in 2019, R. Rejepov was the fourth with 363 kg, having won over current silver medalist of Asian Champinship Muhammadkodir Toshtemirov from Uzbekistan by 15 kg!
The reporter of the Golden Age
