Russia’s Sergey Fedosienko won the 59kg title ©IPF

Russia’s Sergey Fedosienko and Sergey Gladkikh were among the winners as the International Powerlifting Federation Open World Championships began in Pilsen.

Fedosienko was first to triumph in the Czech city, as he produced a strong display in the Parkhotel Congress Center.

He achieved an impressive squat of 285 kilograms to begin the men’s under 59kg competition, before lifting 180kg in the bench press.

The Russian completed the competition by producing a deadlift of 267.5kg, giving him an overall total of 732.5kg.

He was followed by Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yi-Chun, who managed a total of 695kg to secure the silver medal.

The podium was rounded off by Ecuador’s Leon Franklin, having achieved a tally of 675kg.

Sergey Gladkikh gave Russia their second gold on the opening day of competition ©IPF
Sergey Gladkikh gave Russia their second gold on the opening day of competition ©IPF

Russian success continued when Gladkikh prevailed in the under 66kg classification, following squat and beach presses of 310kg and 210kg respectively.

His deadlift of 285kg gave Gladkikh an overall total of 805kg, which saw him comfortably top the podium.

France’s Hassan El Belghiti secured the silver with a tally of 772.5kg, while Finland’s Antti Savolainen managed 770kg for bronze.