The Press of K. Pumpurinysh
(Middleheavyweight)
USSR and World Record Holder
R.A. Roman, M.S. Shakirzyanov
Translated by Andrew Charniga, Jr.
Sportivny Press©
This athlete presses a big weight. Therefore, he lifts the barbell to his chest with the squat clean. In the starting position he places his feet such that the distance between the heels is equal to approximately the width of the feet. The vertical projection of the bar is at the metatarso – phalangeal joints. The back is slightly arched in the lumbar area and is leaning forward at an angle of 45°; the pelvis is above the knees; the shoulders are over the bar (figure 1, position 1).
It is from the just described position that the athlete lifts the barbell in the squat style (figure 2, position 2), and then recovers from the squat position (figure 3, position 3). The sportsman shifts his pelvis slightly forward in assuming the starting position for the press. The waist is taut; the legs are straight; the vertical projection of the hips is about over the toes.
The torso is leaning insignificantly; the projection of the general center of gravity of the body falls through the ankle joints. The elbows are shifted forward in front of the bar; the forearms are in a relatively vertical position and form and angle of approximately 35°. The barbell is 9 cm lower than it would be in the fully straightened position (figure 4, position 4).
The athlete separates the barbell from his chest with a rapid and short shifting of the pelvis backward and the straightening of the trunk. Then the extension of the arms begins (figure 5) and the athlete seizes the bar with the hands. The elbows have been energetically thrust upward; however, the forearms remain in their previously angled position. The barbell is raised vertically with a speed of 1.28 m/sec (figure 6, position 6). The further extension and, consequently, the lifting of the barbell becomes difficult when the arms reach a horizontal position.
The athlete leans backward more in order to overcome this difficult position. However, the lean back does not exceed the limits specified by the rules. This action creates an obtuse angle in the elbow joints which, in turn, facilitates the further extension of the arms; consequently, the lifting of the barbell follows. The barbell continues to be raised vertically (figures 7, 8 and positions 7, 8).
The athlete shifts the torso and the head forward and the hips backward when the elbows are almost straightened. This action causes the barbell to shift vertically and slightly backward (by 5 cm) {figures 9, 10}. Then, having completed the extension of the arms and straightening of the trunk, the sportsman fixes the barbell (figure 11, position 11).
K. Pumpurinysh lifted the barbell to a height of 56 cm. His pressing technique can be considered optimum. Despite the strength nature of his execution of this exercise, it, nonetheless, has a tempo character (a fast barbell separation from the chest and rapid movement of the pelvis backward and forward). The speed of barbell separation from the chest is 1.28 m/sec. The speed of barbell separation for other athletes in this category is 1.48 m/sec.
The weight of the barbell was 180 kg. Naturally, it is difficult to power clean such a heavy weight. Therefore, Pumpurinysh cleans the weight for the press with the deep squat (position 2). The feet are arranged differently in the squat position than they are in the press. Therefore, the sportsman rearranges his feet in a different position for the press after rising from the squat position as the feet are placed wider and the toes are turned to the side a little less.
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Pumperenysh A |
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