Below is an interview with Eduard Trusevich, who is a Latvian kettlebell lifter, competing the in master’s division. He’s 62 years old, and in great shape, outlifting many younger handleball lifters. In the Ventspils Atlans tournament in August 2007 he did 60 jerks and 220 snatches with 24kg kettlebells. He said on that day that the results we not going to be good because he had an injury in his shoulder. We think the did great! Eduard is a very nice man, and a walking testament of longevity that can be achieved trough sensible and continuous physical training.
Interview conducted at Ventspils, Latvia in September 2007, by Svetlana Rukina. Photos and videos by Marko Suomi and Joni Lindfors.
Can you please introduce yourself? What is your name, age and occupation?
My name is Eduard Trusevich, I am 62 years old and I am retired.
How long have you been practicing GS?
About 40 years now.
How did you get to know about GS?
I started to exercise with kettlebells in the army. But it wasn’t a separate kind of sport. It was a part of physical culture. It was not any special training equipment unique to Soviet army, kettlebells were accessible everywhere.
Why did you decide to do kettlebell lifting as a professional kind of sport?
First, I never did it professionally. It is more like my hobby. I take part in competitions in amateur group. I was into sports since I was very young. I did swimming, skiing and others. I have master degrees in couple of them. When I was in the army and exercised with kettlebells, I decided to do it as the main sport.
How often do you practice?
I practice with kettlebells three times a week. Plus I do different exercises with training simulators, I swim at least once a week about a kilometer and I walk a lot. It is very important to do that kind of exercises for cardio system.
What kind of exercises you do to prepare for kettlebell lifting?
There are special exercises for back, legs and shoulders. As I said, swimming, walking or/and jogging are important, too. And, of course, jerking and snatching with kettlebells.
What are your records?
I work with 24 kg kettlebells and my record in snatch is 226 reps and in jerk – 83.
Who is your biggest competitor?
I think, it is Lithuanian and Estonian men and of course Russians. Ukrainians doing well, too.
Who are the greatest athletes or/and countries in GS currently?
Russia. They have good traditions.
What is the most common misconception about kettlebell lifting?
People do not take it as a serious kind of sport. They think there is no use in it. They are wrong. First, any sport gives you health and strength if you do it reasonably. And second, any sport can be harmful if you do it in a wrong manner.
Why would you advice people to do the kettlebell lifting?
As I already said, it develops all muscle groups, the physical form in general.
How did GS change your life?
I became healthier. I almost never get sick.
What would you wish to beginners?
Do not try to lift up very heavy stuff. Work on your technique with light weights. And do not forget about cardio exercises.
Thank you!
Below is part of Eduard’s sets from Ventspils Atlans 2007, 60 reps in the jerk with 2x24kg and 220 reps in the snatch with 24kg:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mvb0pMUz_I]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BACULTiYfHA]
