Family Business
Eugene Lopatin (1917-2011) is coaching his son Sergey Lopatin (1939-2004).
It was a family athlete and coach team.
Eugene Lopatin, the father, was a vice champion of the 1952 Olympics, vice champion of the World (1950), European champion (1950), 4-times USSR champion (1947, 1948, 1950, 1952).
His son, Sergey Lopatin, went on to win the World and European silver medals in 1961 and the USSR Championship in 1961 and 1965. Sergey set 11 world records in his career.
The father & son ‘team’ of the Lopatin’s! The younger Lopatin, Sergei, snatched a worlds record of 294, ( 133kg), while using the split style. This was in 1965 and he was weighing within the lightweight class limit, 67 kg.
Tommy Kono wrote a great article, which appeared in an old Strength & Health, entitled, “In His Father’s Footsteps”, about Sergei’s wonderful lifting.
Sergei looked like a young boy rather than a world record holding weightlifter!
Great memories! Thanks, Geoff!