Famous Belarusian Weightlifters

Leonid Arkadevich Taranenko is a former Soviet/Belarusian weightlifter and coach known for his remarkable achievements in the sport. His 266 kg clean and jerk in 1988 stood as the heaviest lift in competition for over three decades until it was surpassed in 2021. Taranenko's legacy extends beyond his own lifting prowess as he has also made significant contributions to weightlifting as a coach. His dedication and expertise have left a lasting impact on the sport and inspired future generations of weightlifters.

Andrei Aramnau is a highly accomplished Belarusian weightlifter, known for his exceptional achievements as an Olympic and World Champion in the sport. Throughout his professional career, he has demonstrated incredible strength and skill, earning widespread recognition for his outstanding performances on the international stage. Aramnau's dedication to weightlifting has led to numerous victories and accolades, solidifying his reputation as one of the most talented and successful athletes in the sport. His remarkable accomplishments continue to inspire and influence aspiring weightlifters worldwide.

Aleksandr Nikolaevich Kurlovich was a prominent Soviet weightlifter who trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Grodno. In 2006, he was honored with induction into the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame. However, his career was marred by an incident in 1984 when he was caught attempting to sell $10,000 worth of anabolic steroids to fellow weightlifters upon entering Canada. Despite this controversy, Kurlovich remains recognized for his contributions to the sport of weightlifting.

Iryna Mikhailauna Kulesha is a Belarusian weightlifter who gained recognition for her achievements in the sport. She originally won an Olympic bronze medal in the under 75 kg weight category at the 2012 Summer Olympics. However, she was later disqualified by the IOC for failing doping tests at both the 2008 and 2012 Games. Despite these setbacks, Kulesha's career highlights include her success as an elite weightlifter and her participation in prestigious international competitions.

Hanna Batsiushka is a prominent Belarusian weightlifter known for her impressive performances in international competitions. She secured a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the Women's 63 kg weight class, setting a new world record of 115 kg in snatch during the event. Batsiushka also achieved success at the 2003 World Championships and the 2007 European Weightlifting Championships, winning bronze medals. Her skill and dedication were evident as she continued to compete at a high level, representing Belarus at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Maryna Shkermankova is a Belarusian weightlifter who gained recognition by winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the -69 kg category. However, her professional career faced a setback in 2016 when she was stripped of her Olympic medal due to doping violations. Her drug sample tested positive for the steroids stanozolol and turinabol, leading to the disqualification. This incident tainted her professional reputation and raised questions about her achievements in the sport.

Dzina Sazanavets is a weightlifter from Belarus who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women's 69 kg event, finishing fourth behind her country-mate Maryna Shkermankova. However, in October 2016, the IOC disqualified her from the 2012 Olympics and annulled her result due to a failed doping sample. This incident tarnished her professional career and raised questions about her achievements in weightlifting competitions.

Liubou Bialova is a highly accomplished Belarusian weightlifter with an impressive career in powerlifting and weightlifting. She has secured numerous gold medals in national, European, and world championships, as well as set world records in her respective disciplines. Bialova has been recognized for her outstanding achievements with prestigious awards, including the "Honoured Master Sport the Republic of Belarus." In addition to her success as an athlete, she also serves as a senior coach at the School of Olympic Reserve and is actively involved in training disabled individuals for Paralympic sports.

Viktor Grigoryevich Kurentsov was a prominent Soviet middleweight weightlifter who achieved great success in his sport during the 1960s and early 1970s. He competed in multiple Olympics, winning both silver and gold medals. Kurentsov was known for his dominance in weightlifting, winning numerous world and European titles. He set multiple world records and was a fixture in the Soviet weightlifting scene, winning numerous national titles. After retiring from weightlifting, he continued to serve in the Soviet Army and later transitioned into politics and international relations.

Darya Naumava is a highly accomplished Belarusian weightlifter and European Champion. She has achieved remarkable success in her career, winning silver medals at prestigious events such as the Junior World Championships and the Summer Olympics. Her dedication and skill have made her a formidable competitor on the international stage, representing Belarus with pride at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. With a background in shot put and discus throw before transitioning to weightlifting, Naumava's athletic journey showcases her versatility and determination to excel in her chosen sport.

Tatsiana Stukalava is a renowned Belarusian weightlifter who achieved success in the Women's 63 kg weight class at the 2004 Summer Olympics by securing the bronze medal. With a total lift of 222.5 kg, she showcased exceptional strength and skill in the competition. Stukalava's dedication to her sport and rigorous training regimen have made her a respected figure in the weightlifting community. Her impressive performance at the Olympics solidified her reputation as a talented and accomplished athlete on the world stage.

Tatsiana Hramyka is a Belarusian female weightlifter who has made a mark in the sport. She competed in the women's +75 kg category at the Strasbourg 2007 European Weightlifting Championships, where she achieved an impressive fourth-place finish. Throughout her career, Hramyka has demonstrated dedication, skill, and determination in her pursuit of excellence in weightlifting. Her competitive spirit and consistent performances have garnered respect and recognition within the weightlifting community, solidifying her reputation as a talented athlete in her field.

Katsiaryna Shkuratava is a Belarusian weightlifter who gained recognition for her participation in the 2013 World Championships in the Women's +75 kg category. She initially won the Bronze medal but faced consequences when it was discovered that she had used the anabolic steroid Stanozolol. As a result, she was banned from international competition by the International Weightlifting Federation. Despite this setback, Shkuratava's professional career showcases her achievements in the weightlifting arena, highlighting both her successes and challenges in the sport.

Nastassia Novikava is a Belarusian weightlifter who has achieved notable success in various international competitions. She competed in the 53 kg class at the 2004 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal at the 2007 World Weightlifting Championships. Novikava initially won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics before moving up to the -58 kg category. She won the 2010 European Championship and the 2011 World Championship. Novikava faced controversy in 2016 when she was stripped of her 2008 Olympic medal due to a positive doping test for steroids.

Darya Pachabut is a Belarusian weightlifter with a career marked by successes and challenges. She has achieved notable accomplishments such as winning medals at European Weightlifting Championships in different weight categories. Pachabut faced a setback due to a doping violation, resulting in a two-year suspension. Despite this, she made a comeback to the sport and continued to excel, participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Pachabut's professional journey showcases her resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles to pursue her passion for weightlifting.

Anastasiya Mikhalenka is a Belarusian weightlifter who competes in the 69 kg category and represents Belarus in international competitions. She participated in the women's 48 kg event at the 2014 World Weightlifting Championships and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Mikhalenka faced challenges at the Olympics where she failed to register a single successful lift in the snatch phase. Despite this setback, she continues to showcase her strength and determination as a competitive weightlifter on the international stage.

Yuliya Novakovich is a Belarusian weightlifter who represented her country at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Competing in the women's heavyweight category, she showcased her strength by lifting impressive weights. Despite finishing in tenth place, Novakovich demonstrated her skill by successfully lifting 110 kg in the snatch and 127 kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a total of 237 kg. Her performance at the Olympics highlighted her dedication to the sport and her proficiency as a weightlifter.