Meanwhile in Russia.... Russian National Team selected!!

The Russian National Team that'll be competing in the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland has been selected. Some of our favorite lifters will be competing and some that we don't know much about will be there as well. In any case this team is well respected. They have been leading the sport for many years. It'll be a great experience to see them all lift!!

Here is the link Russian Girevoy Sport National Team

photo cred: Sergei Merkulin

The composition of the Russian national team to participate in World Championship
 
Men's Professional Biathlon: 
63kg Johnny Benidze, St. Petersburg 
68kg Vladimir Beavers, Tyumen
73kg Alexander Khvostov, St. Petersburg 
78kg Mikhail Sverdlovsk Kvashnin, St. Petersburg 
85kg Anton Anasenko,  Omsk 
95kg Vladimir Gurov, Kaluga  
+95kg Ivanov Denis, Chelyabinsk 
 
Men's Professional Long Cycle: 
63kg Alex Ryabkov, Tyumen  
68kg Alexander Usoltsev, Tyumen  
73kg Ivan Belyaev, Belgorod region 
78kg Lapshin Nikolai, St. Petersburg 
85kg Denis Vasilyev, St. Petersburg 
95kg Edward Opelender, Omsk  
+95kg Nikolai Kichimaev, St. Petersburg 

Women's Professional  Snatch: 
58kg Olga Yaremenko, Omsk  
63kg Natalya Gorbunova, Omsk  
68kg Xenia (Ksenia) Dedyukhina, Chelyabinsk  
+68kg Anlina Vaskina, Smolensk 

I'm excited to see all the other countries and their participants. Some countries are finishing up their championships to select their athletes. Good Luck to all and see you in Dublin!!

Congratulations Team USA Members 2015

In case you missed it, today was the final announcement of all the Team USA Kettlebell Sport athlete who will be competing in Dublin, Ireland this November. Congratulations to all. I wish you all the best in training leading up to the event! It will be the first time for me traveling across the Atlantic for competition. I'm excited for the experience!!

Recap from NJ Iron Bell Challenge 2015

This past weekend I competed at the NJ Iron Bell Challenge that was hosted by Art of Strength in Warren, NJ. It was a small event but it was a test for me to see where I am with the 32kg bells. I competed in the 73kg weight class. I wanted to lift in the 68kg class but didn't have enough time to make the cut. I will be trying to make the cut for Nationals in August but more on that later.
The meet was a great event as always. I competed in it last year and made CMS. There were lifters from all over in attendance. Sara Nelson and Steve from the Ice Chamber came over. Chris Duffey from Boston came down along with lifters from NY, NJ and PA. The crowd was great and supporting to everyone on the platforms!
My game plan was to come in as light as possible close to 68kg as possible and see what I can do with the goal of lasting the full 10 minutes in Jerk. I was looking to maintain 6rpm. Jerk is not my strong lift so I understand that is where I need the most work but can't forget about Snatch. I'm stronger in that lift.
Here are my lifts from this weekend.

Kettlebell Jerk


Kettlebell Snatch


Results again weren't my best but they are okay for where I am now. I worked to maintain a 6rpm for jerk and a 15rpm for snatch. I will improve from here on. Results: Jerk- 36 reps, Snatch 85 reps.
Next stop US Nationals!! Goals are set and now it's time to put the work in. 47 days to be focused and make the work count.
Results-

Made it through!!

Made it through a tough week of training. A lot of mental and physical training happening this week as I prepare for the Punch Kettlebell Sport Championship in 2 weeks. This competition will show what I can accomplish with training being consistent. The 28kg bell is tough but using it in just about every training session I am getting comfortable with it. Some of the issues I do have come from the smaller details. Still working on straightening the legs in rack especially when going into the longer sets. Sticking to a pace in snatch that I can do for the entire 10 mins, and most important of all sticking to a breathing pattern that I can be consistent with. All of these actions come along with training. I'm excited to get back on the platform again!!
Wednesday's training session (snatch)


Thursday's training session (jerk)


Friday's training session (snatch)


Countdown 14 day until in Sarasota Fl!!

My interview with Brittany VS about Kettlebell Sport!!

Recently I was interviewed by Brittany VS of KOR Strength and Conditioning. Here is the link to her page and the interview. Hope you enjoy!!
What do Waffles, Guinness and Kettlebells have in common?