Hamburg competition: Offene Kettlebellmeisterschaft

Sunday, I was at the open German Kettlebell Club's open competition - Offene Kettlebellmeisterschaft in Hamburg (LÄNK).

Originally, we were two to go from Sweden, but unfortunately my friend Niclas got an injury. There is always a next time though.

I took the night train down. It was nice and such a long time since I did that. The German railroads were great. Among other things, several local trains (and subways) were made so that people just could roll on their bicycles.

Place: Wital Gym
The event took place at Wital gym at the bottom floor of a residential building. Outside the gym, powerlifters were barbecuing different sausages for spectators and competitors. It is Germany. The Wital gym has a big "ordinary" weight section and also a hall with an open floor, rubber mats and kettlebells. We need a place like that in Gothenburg.

Lifters
17 lifters participated. Unfortunately, there were no other long cycle lifters (if I had known at beforehand I might had changed to biathlon, but I can't change focus very quickly).

And who steps in with his team, if not Johann Martin! The man from the video that circulated widely on the internet a month, or so, ago (LINK). I will write a separate post on Johann Martin.

Johann Martin inaugurated the competition with a juggling demonstration.

There were several impressive lifters of all ages and at several levels. Some young guys, did nice results with 16 kgs. At their age, they can become really good competitors soon. Also in the 24kg biathlon category there were two guys (Sergej and Michael) with fine-tuned and nice technique.

Stefan Falke, also a grip personality, did fantastic biathlon with 16 kg bells. He snatched 277 reps (138/139) - in 10 minutes, one switch. That was a show.

Vadim did 50/50 in oa jerk with 32kg. Then, maybe 40 minutes later 50/50 in snatch with 24kg. Real good.

Marina, the gym manager and one of the organizers, did a very nice first competition with 8kg biathlon. She displayed serious endurance.

My new friend Sergei from Rostock did a very exiting high tempo snatch set with 20kg.


There was more good lifting - here at Choice of Champions web site, you find several videos from the competition:

http://www.youtube.com/user/choiceofchampions#p/u/3/W6_97eNDims


My contribution
I did only 36 reps (bw 84,6kg). First 10 reps felt nice, then I suddenly got very tired. Involunatarily, I altered the bell trajectory out to the sides and, at large, I did not like my lockouts after that point. I think that they were fixated enough from a rules perspective, but the elbows were not locked out, or directed, technically well.
Also it was hot - someone suggested 30 celcius - and grip got very slippery. Handles tended to move sideways and I widened my stance as I felt there was a risk of dropping the bells. Nah, technically it did not work out as planned. Maybe the night at the train contributed, but I did not feel tired. Whatever, next competition, in September or October I will make the 45.

Here is a short clip from before I shapeshifted like cinderella at midnight. Look how nice the lifting area is with the flags:


Baby inch and more
There was quite a lot of spectators. Several of those present had moved to Hamburg from the former USSR.

Falke had brought a baby inch dumbell. The baby inch weighs 50, or 52 kg, while the original weighs 75kg. The grip is the same though. There was no way I could lift the baby inch. Then Falke showed me a small trick - stopping rotation of the dumbell with the other hand and I could lift it easy. Felt good! Could I make a 100kg axle deadlift with mixed grip? Dont think so, but would be fun to try.

After lifting, there was barbecue, coffee, cakes, and talking. Then I had to hurry back to the station to make the night train back to Sweden where I woke up Monday morning again.

I think I made almost 30 hours on train during 44 hours. Not too bad as a lot of that time was spent sleeping. Moreover, train travel is not like flying. No security checks, no lines, you bring the food and water you want. Then there is also the possibility of going Kobenhaven-Hamburg direct, but at this time those night trains did not go because of repair works, or such. Just a small roadmovie:

My warmest thanks to the organizers, spectators, lifters and all the other people involved for a very nice competition!

There will probably be some regular competitions in Hamburg in the future. Of course, lifters from Sweden (and other places) are invited and welcome.