Waldemar Baszanowski (Poland)
Waldemar Baszanowski (1935-2011) was a legendary lifter from Poland. He is one of the greatest weightlifters of all time and nations.
As a member of Polish national team, he took part in 4 Olympic competitions in 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972 and won two gold medals in the lightweight class in Tokyo in 1964 and in Mexico City in 1968.
Baszanowski won 5 gold medals in the World championships (1961, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969) and 5 gold medals at the European championships (1961, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1971).
In his weightlifting career, Baszanowski set 25 world records.
In addition to his outstanding results, Waldemar Baszanowski was a brilliant technician famous for slick split style snatch and clean techniques. Later in his career, he mastered a text book classic squat style snatch too.
When Baszanowski retired from weightlifting competitions, he launched a successful career as a scientist, coach and took an active part in the international weightlifting organizations.