Russian weightlifter Dmitry Klokov announced on his Instagram that he’s entered the 2021 CrossFit Open. The caption of his post simply read, “Ok, let’s do this.” Though Klokov retired from weightlifting in 2015, he’s is still a staple in the community — known for his incredible strength and affable personality. Klokov has dabbled in CrossFit-style Tabata workouts before, but this will be the first time he’s competed in a CrossFit Open. You can check out his official announcement below:
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As a weightlifter, Klokov was quite the success. He competed in the 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing, China, and earned a silver medal in the 105-kilogram weight class (which no longer exists after the IWF recognized new bodyweight categories in 2018). He also earned a gold medal at the 2005 World Weightlifting Championships and at the European Championships — both in the now-defunct 105-kilogram weight class. Here are Klokov’s best lifts in competition (note he’s done more in training):
- Snatch — 196 kilograms, done at the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships in Paris, France.
- Clean & Jerk — 232 kilograms, done at the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships in Paris, France.
- Total — 428 kilograms, done at the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships in Paris, France. He came in second place at that particular competition.
The 38-year old is an absolute beast off of the platform, too. Shortly after his 2011 World Weightlifting Championships, Klokov push-pressed 225 kilograms (496 pounds) overhead. He’s also hit a strict overhead press of 162 kilograms, a 200-kilogram hang snatch, and a 231-kilogram bench press…underwater.
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Klokov stands six-feet tall and used to compete at 105 kilograms (231 pounds), though, he appears to have leaned out based on pictures from his Instagram. Klokov doesn’t have much, if any, formal CrossFit training, but he has demonstrated superb conditioning. Remember that time he hiked up a sand dune with 60 kilograms on his back? That takes some serious conditioning chops.
The 2021 CrossFit Open
The 2021 CrossFit season is set to kick off with the Open on March 11, 2021. There have been many changes made to the Open this year — including a new Adaptive division, an equipment-free Open option, and a new three-step qualification process (which includes a Last-Chance Qualifier.) In total, only 40 men and 40 women will make it to this year’s Games, held live in Madison, WI, from July 27 through August 1.
Another major change is the qualifying stages leading up to the Games are continent-based. When registering for the Open, athletes will establish their continent. This will be the continent assigned to that athlete throughout the Games. An athlete does not need to live in the country on the continent they want to represent, but they must be a citizen of that country to represent the continent.
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The continents observed by CrossFit include North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, South America, Africa. Klokov will be representing Asia.
There are a few questions leading up to this year’s Open: Will Tia-Clair Toomey return now that she’s a bobsledder? How Will COVID-19 impact the live Games in Madison, WI, if at all? And, who will replace Mat Fraser as the Fittest Man on Earth® now that he’s retired? Now strength sports fans will be interested to see how Klokov, a storied weightlifter, will do. While you’ll have to wait for those questions to be answered, you can rest easy knowing that this year’s CrossFit season will be unlike any other before it.
Featured image: @klokovd on Instagram
