Red Army: Olympic Weightlifting
The Lift Up: History in Color series continues…
This time enhanced photo features the Read Army members of Team CCCP Weightlifting training for the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
Trofim Lomaking is working on his split style snatch lift. In the back, coach Alexander Bozhko and bantamweight athlete Vladimir Stogov are watching Lomakin’s lifts.
Lomakin had a tremendous strength and physique given to him by nature. By many accounts, he lived almost a double life back then – an elite Olympic weightlifter by daytime and a heavy drinker and party goer by nighttime.
It’s amazing how with such lifestyle, Lomakin managed to be on top level in 3 Olympic cycles – 1952, 1956 and 1960!