Austrian overweight

Created: 08/29/2022, 1:00 p.m

By: Markus Schwarzkugler

Close your eyes and throw it up: Jörg Popken from Erding managed 72 kg in the snatch and 85 kg in the clean and jerk.

© Günter Herkner

After two corona-related failures, it was finally time again for the traditional Erding weightlifting autumn festival competition.

As expected, there was nothing for them to get.

Erding - Heavy lifting is actually done every day at the Erdinger Herbstfest - greetings to the many hard-working waiters.

On Saturday afternoon, however, not only they sweated, but also the strong men on the stage in the Weißbräuzelt.

After a three-year Corona break, the weightlifters from TSV Erding competed in their traditional autumn festival comparison.

But to get straight to the point: there was no surprise.

In the end, the clearly favored Austrian first division club from the Klosterneuburg/Vösendorf lifting community clearly prevailed with 246:139 relative points.

"Actually, we have no chance of winning," TSV coach Tuan Dang had guessed in advance.

The audience in the Weißbräuzelt, who were sitting a little closer together at least in front of the stage, showed what impressive performances weightlifters are capable of: the Austrian state champion of 2021, Dominik Certov.

He achieved the strongest result with a new best: 137 kg in the snatch and 162 kg in the clean and jerk - the latter almost double his body weight of 83 kg.

"The two youngsters from Austria also delivered a good competition," Dang had to admit without envy.

The only 17-year-old Erdonit Morina, weighing only 56.8 kg, ripped 58 kg and jabbed 70 kg.

His brother Hasan Morina, even two years younger and still weighing 63.8 kg, managed 77 kg in the snatch and 93 kg in the clean and jerk.

Before we come to the rest of the Austrians, first a look at the Erdingers, for whom their coach made the start.

And Dang set a good example for his team: He showed flawless attempts up to 60 kg in the snatch and 80 kg in the clean and jerk and was thus the highest point Erdinger Heber (56).

It continued with the two Masters athletes who are going to the German Championships in Nagold in Baden-Württemberg in five weeks.

For Josef Resch, things went well in the 89 weight class, with six valid attempts of up to 70 kg in the snatch and 85 kg in the clean and jerk.

Jörg Popken (73 weight class), reigning German champion, also managed to pull up to 72 kg in the snatch and 85 kg in the clean and jerk without failing.

After a long break from competition, Benedikt Beil achieved "a sovereign performance" with 78 kg in the snatch and 100 kg in the clean and jerk, according to Dang.

And there was still more to come: The 105 kg in the last attempt - it would have been a new personal best for Beil - were invalid.

Jakob Halamoda had to step in at short notice because Denis Wildemann was absent due to illness.

Despite not having much preparation, things went well for him: "98 kg in the snatch is something to be proud of," praised Dang.

In the clean and jerk, however, the lack of training sessions became noticeable: After the 107 kg in the initial attempt, the 112 kg were too heavy.

The lifter with the heaviest load at TSV was Tassilo Frieß.

In the snatch he missed a new personal best of 88 kg, it remained with the first valid attempt of 83 kg.

In the clean and jerk it couldn't have gone any better for him.

After the initial attempts at 105 and 112 kg, Frieß set a new personal best: 117 kg.

But the Austrians were too strong.

Matthias Kainrath (93 kg) celebrated a good debut with 65 kg in the snatch and 82 kg in the clean and jerk at his premiere.

And Felix Pruckmoser (89.5 kg) snatched 93 kg and jabbed 105 kg.