The one-arm snatch is relatively rare in the world of strength sports, but that didn’t stop Dmitry Klokov from honing his skill in the lift. Earlier today, the Olympic weightlifting medalist, President of the Russian Strength Sports Association, and very strong person posted a new personal record in the unusual lift: 101 kilograms, or 222.7 pounds.
Watch the lift below, embedded from Klokov’s official Facebook page.
We couldn’t help but agree with the top comment: “When you can one-arm snatch more than most people can lift with two arms, using weights and a gym with your name all over it, then you know you made it.”
In addition to simply being an awesome way to show his strength and the diversity of his skillset, Klokov posted the video to promote his line of weightlifting equipment, which is now available to purchase in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
There’s a lot to like about the single-arm snatch: it trains unilateral and anti-rotational strength, it can help with muscle imbalances, it increases hip stabilization and oblique strength, and since the unilateral effect increases neurological stress and adaptations, it could increase muscular development and total body strength.
Klokov’s one-arm snatch is truly extraordinary, though it’s not the heaviest we’ve ever seen; that honor goes to the Russian strongman Mikhail Koklyaev, who lifted 242 pounds in 2008.
And while Koklyaev’s is the heaviest, one of the most impressive snatches we’ve seen may be this hard-won snatch of 130 pounds (59kg) from Victor Hugo Castro Assafone, a strength athlete and CrossFit coach who lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident. (Watch til the end.)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMnKpl3j22A/
Read our interview with Victor here.
It’s certainly cool, but this is an exercise that shouldn’t be attempted unless you have very good mobility, shoulder stabilization, and proprioception — and of course, you should start with a pretty light weight. If you really want to start performing the lift make sure you put in time with Turkish get ups and single-arm clean & jerks and snatches with kettlebells and dumbbells first.
Featured image via Dmitry Klokov on Facebook.
