Silver at the World Bench Press Championships
Oleg Pekushchev, a repairman at the reinforcement and mechanical workshop of the Energoremont PRP, took second place at the World Press and Classic Press Championships
High skill and excellent technique helped Oleg Pekushchev rise to the second step of the sports podium at the Championship and World Championships in bench press and classic bench press, which took place on May 21, 2022 in Almaty. Oleg took the weight 210 kg and was 35 kg ahead of his nearest opponent. He competed among veterans in the age category from 40 to 50 years and in the weight category from 74 to 83 kg.
“I’ve been involved in professional sports since I was eight years old,” shared Oleg Pekushchev. – Over a 16-year period of training, he achieved the title of candidate master of sports in Greco-Roman wrestling, and was a repeated winner and prize-winner of world and national competitions.
Oleg graduated from the Kazakh State Academy of Sports and Tourism in 2000. Received a second higher education as an automotive engineer. In 2012, he worked in the reinforcement and mechanical workshop of PRP Energoremont of AlES JSC. After a short break in sports and, already working, to maintain physical shape, Oleg began to work out in the gym again.
“My current coach D. Bondik, seeing potential in me, invited me to try my capabilities in a new discipline for me, the bench press,” Oleg continued. “I started training and competing. This year, the International Powerlifting Federation invited me to take part in the World Press and Classic Press Championships, which is the 50th anniversary.Thanks to the support of the trade union committee of the Energoremont PRP, I took part in the championship. I especially thank my work team for believing in me.
– This is not the first time the trade union has helped Oleg Pekushchev. In 2018, he participated in the Asian Bench Press Championship, which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and took first place,” shared Syrymbet Zharovich, Chairman of the Energy Trade Union. And also in 2019, he took two prizes at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship, which was held in Almaty.
Fariza Botakaraeva, leading software engineer of PRP “Energoremont” of AlES JSC, chairman of the youth organization “Zharkyn Bolashak” of AlES JSC, looked for sportswear especially for Oleg and found a branded tracksuit of the Kazakhstan National Team so that our hero would correspond to the international level.
– We are very proud when our flag rises and develops in international sports arenas! Our Oleg is a great guy, he took second place among 35 countries! – Fariza Botakaraeva said enthusiastically. – Last time, the youth organization “Zharkyn Bolashak” of AlES JSC also supported our Oleg when he performed with us in Almaty. We were very happy when, under our state flag, with our hand under our heart, our Oleg proudly sang the national anthem of Kazakhstan. Our young guys got a lot of emotions. We are thinking about sending our children to professional sports, so that in the future our children will also perform and take prizes on world arenas.
The workforce of the reinforcement and mechanical workshop of the Energoremont PRP is always sick and supports Oleg. Master Zhandos Kacheev has been working with Oleg for eight years.
– As long as I have known Oleg, sport has always played a special role in his life. For our part, we always root for him at all competitions. I witnessed the entire preparation process, and I will say this is very difficult,” continued Zhandos Kacheev. – Why is it difficult, because you have to combine both work and training, you have to calculate your strength in order to be in peak shape by the date of the performance. During the performance, our emotions went off scale, I felt as if I was performing myself, I felt the tension in every muscle. From the stands we could only cheer him on with shouts, support, and applause.
The team of AlES JSC wishes Oleg Pekushchev good health, strength and new victories!