A RANDOM BULGARIAN WALKED INTO DIABLO… On Saturday afternoon, considered one of our coaches alerted me to a grey-haired, aged man wearing denims, a coat and work boots watching members coaching whereas standing simply exterior the open gymnasium space. I greeted him, requested his title and if he wanted assist with something. With a powerful slavic accent, he replied: “I’m Ben. And, I simply wish to watch him squat.” He pointed to considered one of our athletes, Eric, on the Olympic lifting platforms. As I nodded in understanding, he requested me, “how a lot is he lifting?” I did a fast calculation and stated, “about 200lbs.” Ben replied, “how a lot is that in kilos?” This made me snort – I transformed the burden to kilos. And when Eric entrance squatted the barbell with ease, Ben stated to me: “that could be a superb entrance squat.” I then realized that Ben is a weightlifter and commenced to ask him a LOT of questions.
It seems that Ben’s full title is Svetlozar Benchev. He’s 79 years outdated and lives down the block within the Senior Neighborhood Middle. He’s about 5’7, lean but stout, and regular on his ft. He stated that he lifts weights each day in his condominium with a makeshift squat rack and plywood on the ground. He immigrated to the US from Bulgaria at age 50 and made his residing as a carpenter. When he talked about Bulgaria, I commented that the Bulgarians are legends in Olympic Weightlifting. His face lit up and he stated, “we crushed the Russians for a few years in competitors.” He was clearly very proud.
Ben then requested if he might stroll round contained in the gymnasium and watch the lifters and different athletes. I invited him in and launched him to Eric, who was lifting on the platform. After a short dialog, Ben pointed to the loaded barbell within the squat rack and requested Eric, “how a lot is that this?” Eric replied: “95 kilos” (210lbs). Ben then requested, “can I attempt?” and shortly dipped beneath the bar to try a again squat! I freaked out, turned to Yvonne who was stretching shut by and she or he stated: “did he signal a waiver?” The 79 12 months outdated Bulgarian in denims and work boots then proceeded to simply squat 205lbs – STONE COLD – with no heat up. All of us felt like we had been a part of a prank. It was wonderful.
After his feat of power, I spent a while speaking to Ben about his way of life and diet – desirous to know extra about this wonderful man and his health. Not stunning, I felt like I used to be speaking to considered one of our members: he lifts weights recurrently, walks typically, eats very wholesome, spends time together with his household and stays very busy. He nonetheless takes odd jobs as a handyman – carpentry, plumbing, tile, and so on. He additionally stated that he not drinks and he stop smoking at age 46 (!!). And, he added whereas waving his finger at me, “I don’t take any medicines”.
Ben gave me hope and motivation – hope for anybody who needs to enhance their well being and high quality of life at any age and motivation to maintain coaching arduous. The important thing to longevity is obvious: keep sturdy, transfer loads, eat wholesome, and be round a supportive household and neighborhood. That is what we do.
