Eugene Katsura in Budapest (1962)
September 17, 1962, Budapest, Hungary – 25-year rookie of Team CCCP, featherweight Eugene Katsura of Kazan, Russia wins a silver medal with a 110+107.5+140 = 357.5kg total in the 60kg class at the 1962 World Championships in Budapest.
Eugene Katsura (1937-1967) was a strong Soviet feather and lightweight athlete.
His forte was the Olympic press lift. In his career, he set 7 world records in press and 2 in total of 3 lifts.
Katsura won medals at the World Championships in 1962 (silver) and in 1966 (gold), at the European Championships in 1962 (silver), 1964 (gold), 1966 (gold). In 1961-1966, he consistently won gold and silver medals at the USSR Championships including gold medals in 1962, 1964 and 1966.
The life of Eugene Katsura had a sad and tragic ending. At the age of 29, former weightlifting champion committed a suicide while serving as an officer in the Soviet Army.