David Rigert Interview

David Rigert answered some questions from a popular Russian site called Shatoy.

This is part 1 and here are some of the highlights (Thanks to Vadim).

His Opinion on Power Jerks vs Squat Jerks

Power Jerks are more efficient and definitely the way of the future.On Power Jerking: He has his reservations about Squat Jerking, because it requires more accuracy. Whereas the Power Jerk is just like shortened split – very stable and reliable.

He said that it’s definitely the way of the future and more efficient. The reason Apti converted to Power Jerk was that his split jerk was not well executed (his rear leg was too straight, which limited his options in of saving).

Regarding competitions in the past: He liked the old time limit during competition (3 min): it allowed lifters to perform on all levels, not just weightlifting, but also display their antics/personality, which contributes to popularity and crowd engagement.

On Doping

The only anabolic use he admitted was 21-day anabolic cycles 4 times per year, which never interfered with tests/competitions.

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His Training PRs

• Squat: 300kg x6 no pause between reps. He does not know his 1RM Squat as he never attempted it. Same for 1RM Deadlift
• Deadlift: he deadlifted 400kg from a 15cm box. He didn’t want to risk pulling from the floor, fearing for his back.
• Strict Military Press: 170kg
• Press From Eye Level (not strict): 220kg
• Jerk: 260kg (after his retirement at around 100kg)
• Snatch: 200kg  (“”when some americans came over to film him)
• Power Snatch: 160kg, Power Clean: 200kg when he was active/competing. W

  hen he gained extra weight after stopping competing, he Power Cleaned 220kg, and during the same practice he managed the 260kg Jerk

• Bench Press: 210kg with legs raised

The interviewer asked him how lifters are selected to represent Russia, and he said that it’s simple – first 4 places on nationals.

Then the interviewer asked, why is it that sometimes the #1 or #2 don’t go, but #3 goes. and Rigert simply said “then they failed to pass the anti doping test, it’s simple as that! And they should be thankful for not making the national team, because otherwise they’d get busted abroad”

More on the National Team Selection Process: it’s not clear which meets determine that and how exactly etc etc, but general rule is that all medalists of Russian nationals/cups are invited to the national team training camps. There is a catch though. You are eligible ONLY if you pass full medical examination at A SINGLE hospital (in Moscow, Hospital #83)

Also if Rigert hadn’t been fired, it would have been the Taganrog facilities hosting current training camp (and not Chekhov, which was Venkov’s idea).

Why Misha wasn’t selected for the Russian Team

On Mikhail Koklyaev: Rigert says the only reason koklyaev wasn’t sent to the Olympics was that he failed to comply with WADA regulations — not the anti doping test itself, but the tracking system. You’re supposed to register there and get a serial number and have them track you. Evidently Misha failed to do so (see more on Why Misha didn’t make the team here).

On Evgeny Chigishev: He reached his prime early, but in the latter years his speed began to fade very fast, while strength kept on growing. He could have easily competed as a powerlifter. He attributes it simply to the sheer number of years in competition, which took its toll on speed.