Leonid zhabotinsky biography examples

1. Biography of Leonid Zhabotinsky
2. Achievements in Weightlifting
3. Memorable Rivalry
4. The Battle in Tokyo
5. Later Life and Career

Biography of Leonid Zhabotinsky

Leonid Ivanovich Zhabotinsky was born on January 28, 1938, in the village of Uspenka, Krasnopol'sky District, Sumy Oblast. He was a Soviet athlete (weightlifting) and an Honored Master of Sports. Zhabotinsky graduated from Kharkiv Pedagogical Institute and later became a renowned sportsman in the field of weightlifting.

Achievements in Weightlifting

Zhabotinsky was a two-time Olympic champion (1964, 1968) in weightlifting, a world champion (1964-1966, 1968), and a European champion (1966, 1968). He also held multiple national titles in the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1969. Zhabotinsky set several world records in weightlifting from 1963 to 1970, establishing himself as one of the greatest weightlifters of his time.

Memorable Rivalry

Zhabotinsky's rivalry with fellow Soviet weightlifter Yuri Vlasov became legendary. During the 1961 USSR Championship, Zhabotinsky ceremoniously defeated Vlasov, the Olympic champion from Rome, on the stage. Vlasov famously said, "The time will come when you will remove me from sports." Their unforgettable encounter took place at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964. The showdown between Moscow's Yuri Vlasov and Kyiv's Leonid Zhabotinsky captivated spectators, as heavyweight lifters have long been regarded as the strongest men on the planet.

The immense Sibuya Hall in Tokyo was packed with eager fans as they witnessed the clash between the triumphant Vlasov and his main competitor, Zhabotinsky. American weightlifter Norbert Schemansky, who was considered a strong contender, was left out of the race for the gold medal. Only the two Soviet athletes would determine the strongest man on the podium.

The Battle in Tokyo

Zhabotinsky faced a difficult situation as he suffered a shoulder muscle injury during training. Additionally, he outweighed Vlasov by 18 kilograms, which meant he had to lift 2.5 kilograms more than his opponent to secure the gold medal. The first exercise, the press, saw Vlasov set a world record of 197.5 kilograms. Zhabotinsky managed to lift the barbell 10 kilograms lighter, but he excelled in the final exercise, the clean and jerk.

In the snatch, Vlasov also set a world record (172.5 kilograms) but only in an additional attempt after failing three official attempts. Zhabotinsky, on the other hand, successfully lifted 167.5 kilograms, gaining a 5-kilogram advantage. To win the overall competition, Zhabotinsky needed to lift 7.5 kilograms more than Vlasov in the clean and jerk. With his first attempt, Zhabotinsky effortlessly lifted 205 kilograms, totaling 565 kilograms in the three exercises.

Vlasov attempted 210 kilograms in his second attempt, increasing his total to 570 kilograms. To secure victory, Zhabotinsky had to lift a record-breaking 217.5 kilograms. Unfortunately, he failed to lift the weight in his second attempt, leading to accusations that he deliberately did not take the weight in order to prevent Vlasov from widening the gap. In Vlasov's third attempt, he failed to set another world record, while Zhabotinsky successfully lifted the weight.

After the heavyweight lifters' performances, Tokyo newspapers declared, "Those who did not witness the battle between Vlasov and Zhabotinsky did not witness the Olympics!" At the closing ceremony, Zhabotinsky proudly carried the Soviet flag in his outstretched arm, and although tradition dictated that he should lower it in front of the imperial box, he did not do so. He later explained that his injured arm would not have been able to hold the flag. Despite this, he was not awarded a high military order and was not honored for his victory with an important distinction at the next Olympic Games, although he was chosen to carry the flag again during the opening ceremony.

Later Life and Career

After retiring from competitive sports, Zhabotinsky worked as a coach and later became a military advisor in Madagascar. In 1991, he was discharged from service and became the vice-rector for educational work and safety at the Moscow Institute of Entrepreneurship and Law, where he held the position of professor. Zhabotinsky was also an active public figure, serving as an Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation and a member of the Board of Trustees of the institute. He was the Honorary President of the Russian Weightlifting Federation and authored books such as "Steel and Heart" and "On the Olympus Summit."

Leonid Ivanovich Zhabotinsky passed away on the night of January 14, 2016, in a hospital in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, after a long and severe illness.