The cauldron boileth over…

During the European Weightlifting Championship in Kazan (which means cauldron in Turkish), Turkey’s male and female weightlifters are bringing in medals for Turkey as they talk about being serious contenders for the London Olympics.



Turkey's weightlifters continue to smile as they win medal after medal in the European Weightlifting Championship, held in Kazan the capital of Tatarstan. With three gold medal wins in the women's 53 kg category, Aylin Daşdelen states, "Wait for us London." Daşdelen went on to state, "I panicked on my first try at snatch. In training I have lifted 124 kg in clean and jerk. Before the competition, I had told my trainers that if I guarantee the medal in my first try, then I would go for the European record, and that's exactly what happened. I lifted 112 kilograms and secured the gold medal, then my trainer brought the weight up to 122. The European record is at 121 kilos and is mine, however after I won the gold; I relaxed and was unable to concentrate. Therefore I wasn't able to break the record this time."Turkey's weightlifters continue to smile as they win medal after medal in the European Weightlifting Championship, held in Kazan the capital of Tatarstan. With three gold medal wins in the women's 53 kg category, Aylin Daşdelen states, "Wait for us London." Daşdelen went on to state, "I panicked on my first try at snatch. In training I have lifted 124 kg in clean and jerk. Before the competition, I had told my trainers that if I guarantee the medal in my first try, then I would go for the European record, and that's exactly what happened. I lifted 112 kilograms and secured the gold medal, then my trainer brought the weight up to 122. The European record is at 121 kilos and is mine, however after I won the gold; I relaxed and was unable to concentrate. Therefore I wasn't able to break the record this time."THE LITTLEST CHAMPIONOur bronze winner, Ayşegül Çoban reminds that she is the youngest one on the team and states, "For me to have this level of success is very honorable. I am only 19 years old. I believe that I will achieve many more successes for my country. I want to thank those who have supported me."After securing nine gold medals, four silver and four bronze in just the first two days of the European Championship, on the third day, Turkey's gold medal winner was Mete Binay who competed in the men's 69 kg weight category. Mete secured the gold by lifting 151 kilos in snatch followed by 154 kg. Also competing in the same category, Turkey's Erol Bilgin came in six by lifting 143 kilos. In the clean and jerk, Binay suffered a spell of low blood pressure and slightly fainted, thereby leaving him incapable of competing in the category.