Weightlifter dies in power lifting competition

[Bouncer]

Frankly, the whole sport looks like a joke. A couple of big dudes standing around trying to prevent a bazillion pound lethal weight from landing on a guy if something goes wrong? What about having a safety bar of some sort that is well designed and standardized so that the bar cannot go below the level of the competitor's chest no matter what? It seems that it will be relatively trivial to come up with a design that can be mandated for all competitions.

No excuse for lack of safety at any level, amateur or pro. Yes, the reaction was ridiculous, but it shouldn't even get to that stage. Prevention is key more than the response after the accident.

just like a squat rack safety, pretty sure they exist.

[Mr I]

Agreed you could have parallel safety bars set at like half inch below sternum

[rado]

Horrible tragedy in Russia: This powerlifter, trying to press an estimated 350 pounds, dropped the weight on his chest and according to Red Hot Russia, died.

According to eyewitness, the sportsman used unsafe (banned) technique called “open grip” [ed: possibly related to the position of thumb while holding the bar]. Already during the training session he had the weight of 160 kg slipping from his hands, but then spotters managed to hold the bar.

During the competition, however, the spotters did not succeed to catch the bar in time. Everything happened very quickly. With the torn diaphragm and broken ribs the sportsman was brought to hospital.

UPDATE: The injury appeared to be fatal. Igor died in hospital from heart concussion.

If that description is true – the lifter previous let less weight slip, but spotters were able to catch it – what could the spotters have been thinking? The screen grab on Red Hot Russia shows one spotter just frozen with his hands down while the weight crushed the kid’s chest.

[jack tors]

"quick give him water" ROFL!!!!! fucking Russians no wonder why there country went to shit.

[jack tors]

Horrible tragedy in Russia: This powerlifter, trying to press an estimated 350 pounds, dropped the weight on his chest and according to Red Hot Russia, died.

According to eyewitness, the sportsman used unsafe (banned) technique called “open grip” [ed: possibly related to the position of thumb while holding the bar]. Already during the training session he had the weight of 160 kg slipping from his hands, but then spotters managed to hold the bar.

During the competition, however, the spotters did not succeed to catch the bar in time. Everything happened very quickly. With the torn diaphragm and broken ribs the sportsman was brought to hospital.

UPDATE: The injury appeared to be fatal. Igor died in hospital from heart concussion.

If that description is true – the lifter previous let less weight slip, but spotters were able to catch it – what could the spotters have been thinking? The screen grab on Red Hot Russia shows one spotter just frozen with his hands down while the weight crushed the kid’s chest.

350lbs looks closer to 500lbs

[Mr I]

It was 185kg ad previously said thats 407lb

[lipripper]

Damn, thats fucked.

[rado]

It was 185kg ad previously said thats 407lb

Correct....either way. That kind of weight coming down is unstoppable.

[Scrumhalf]

IMO, it is up to the powerlifting federation or whatever body oversees the competitions to do something about it. Just having a couple of guys holding their hands under the weight and hoping to catch it as it as it falls is ludicrous.