Only Rüdiger is stronger than Popken

Created: 10/07/2022, 1:00 p.m

By: Wolfgang Krzizok

Three strong men: Joy among the medal winners (from left) Jörg Popken, René Rüdiger, Volker Beuthling.

© Club

The Erding weightlifters did well in the German title fights.

Erding – The German Masters Weightlifting Championships took place this year in Nagold (Baden-Württemberg).

Defending champion Jörg Popken and runner-up Josef Resch started for TSV Erding.

Popken had drawn a difficult lot.

The multiple European champion from Berlin, René Rüdiger, is his opponent and favorite for the title this year.

The fight for second place was the goal for last year's winner.

His direct opponent in the battle for second place was Volker Beuthling from Schifferstadt.

It was still exciting to tear.

Both athletes brought 68 kg in the second attempt valid for the high distance.

In the last attempt 70 kg were stuck.

Beuthling could not validly tear this burden.

Popken followed suit and tore the valid 70 kg over his head.

Thus, the Erdinger athlete was ahead after the first sub-discipline.

The victory went to the favorites from Berlin with 85 kg.

Popken showed his strength in the clean and jerk and increased from 82 to 88 kg in the last attempt without failing.

He left Beuthling at 80 kg and secured the silver medal.

As expected, the championship title went to the top favorite Rüdiger with 105 kg.

Josef Resch also caught a very strong group of five participants.

The snatch went quite well in the warm-up room, but Resch showed nerves on stage.

After an invalid initial attempt on 65 kg, the repair was valid on the second attempt.

However, the 70 kg in the third attempt was too heavy for him that day.

But the pushing started a little better.

After valid attempts at 83 and 86 kg, Erdinger saw his chance for the bronze medal by increasing to 91 kg.

After the turnover, however, there wasn't enough air left to bring the barbell away from the shoulders and over the head.

In the end, Resch stayed in fourth place.