Report of 2008 Asian Powerlifting Championships
Report and Photos by Susumu Yoshida
Tashkent
We APF already experienced Uzbekistan two times.
2000 and 2004, we went to Zarafshan for the Asian Powerlifting Championships.
But this year the meet went to the Tashkent, capital of the Uzbekistan.
Mr. Elkin the president of Uzbekistan Powerlifting Federation and his staff worked hard to make 6 days event successful.
Venue and Hotel
Meet Hotel was announced Hotel Uzbekistan, the traditional main hotel of the city.
But when we checked in the hotel, we knew that the hotel was changed to another hotel.
The name of the hotel was Plaza Hotel and we were said that this hotel is better and new hotel.
Hotel interior was good, the price was also good.
The venue is located 5 minutes walk for Plaza Hotel.
It was the ball room of the Hotel Uzbekistan. Small surprise.
The decoration of the venue was done the previous night of the meet.
It was very exotic and nice. Very Uzbekistan. Big surprise.
The opening ceremony was nicely planed.
The sports minister who was famous martial arts athlete came and made speech.
Uzbekistan traditional dance was my favorite.
Meet goes on and on
288 lifters were registered before the meet.
Our technical chairman Ueno complained that not all the countries send the entry before the championships.
Late entry such just before the meet were still forced to accept.
Any way it would take 5 days long sessions.
1st of May, the championships started.
The spotter loader worked hard, but we could not see many Uzbekistan officials.
The bottom line is operation of the meet should to be done by the local federation.
We APF help the meet with referees and juries. This time Indian team helped a lot.
Everyday, we had Asian records. Even the World Masters record.
Magome of Japan made Masters world record in benchpress. Of course we did doping tests.
How many Asian records?
I am sorry but I did not count. Because so many Asian records were made.
I put all the results of the meet on this Asian Pages, so please study all of them.
Any way, our long 5 days were full of excitement and Asian records.
It was good.
Asian Congress
Every day the meet started at 7am with the weight in and ended 11pm or 12pm.
So it was hard to find good timing for the Asian Congress.
3rd of May, we ended the meet at 8pm and started the Congress.
Our coming years schedule were fixed.
2008 December, HongKong, Asian Benchpress
2009 May, India, Udaipoor, Asian Power
2009 August, India, Chamdigar, Asian Benchpress
2010 May, Mongolia, Ulanbaatr, Asian Power
2010 August, Mongolia, Ulanbaatr, Asian Benchpress
2011 May, Phillipines, Asian Power
20011 bids are open for Asian Benchpress (APF requested Japan to host Asian bench)
The results of the election was President, Susumu Yoshida
General Secretary, Subrata Dutta Chairman Technical com., P.J.Joseph
Chariman Medical com., Hisako Yoshida
As I can not remember the spelling of 5 Vice Presidents, I want to wait for the minutes of the Congress.
Farewell Party
The party was held at the huge ball room of the Hotel Uzbekistan.
Over 300 lifters, officials, guests are seated around each big table and party started.
Food were good. Music were good.
Dance were good. Specially belly dance were very good.
Trophy for the team ,best lifters were good.
I believe all the participants went home with good memory of this meet.
I want to thank everybody who worked for this big meet.
Without your help, this meet was not complete.
Susumu Yoshida
President of Asian Powerlifting Feferation