Vasily Alekseyev

Born on 7th January 1942, in Ryazan Oblast, Russia, Vasily Ivanovich Alekseyev was a strong Soviet Weightlifter who had set 80 world records and earned two gold medals in +110 Kg category at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. He was a sturdy performer who held the title of European Champion as well as the World Champion for a span of eight years. His weightlifting records of 256 Kg in Clean & Jerk, 187.5 Kg in Snatch and 236.5Kg in Clean & Press are counted as the best lifts of his times.

Here is a quick peek at his achievements:-

• Held a total of 80 world records in weightlifting
• Two gold medals earned in +110 Kg category at the Olympic Games, held in Munich and Montreal in 1972 and 1976
• Eight Gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships in +110 Kg category in between 1970-1977
• Eight gold medals at the European Weightlifting Championships held in between 1970-1977
• One Bronze medal and seven Gold medals at the USSR Weightlifting Championships held in between 1968-1976
• Two gold medals at the "Summer Spartakiad of the USSR", held in Moscow and Vilnius in 1971 and 1975
• Bagged a total of nine gold medals at the "Cups of USSR" four in 1970, two in 1972 and three in 1974
• The famous magazine "Sports Illustrated" featured him on the cover page with a title "World's Strongest Man" in the year 1975
• “Order of Friendship of Peoples” and "Order of the Badge of Honor" in 1970
• Honored with "Order of Lenin" and "Order of Red Banner of Labor" in 1972
• Elected a member of the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame in 1993