Egor Leonenko
Ukraine- Biography of Yegor Leonenko
- Following in His Father's Footsteps
- Serious Training and Dietary Control
- Aspiring for More
Biography of Yegor Leonenko
Yegor Leonenko, a Ukrainian boy, is a heavyweight lifter and holds the title of 'the strongest boy in Ukraine'. Although his extraordinary achievements have not yet been officially recognized in the Guinness World Records, it is possible that he may be included in the future. After all, it is not every day that an 8-year-old child lifts a barbell weighing more than his own weight. Yegor is not the first young weightlifter; the previous record was set by his American peer, Rakeem Waddington. Leonenko started by matching Waddington's record, lifting a barbell weighing 37.5 kilograms. He then successfully lifted 40 kilograms, exceeding his own weight by a whole kilogram. In his third attempt, Yegor set an absolute record by lifting 41 kilograms.
Following in His Father's Footsteps
It is evident that Yegor Leonenko takes after his father. Andrey Leonenko's training sessions always interested Yegor, and he started accompanying his father to the adult gymnasium from his early childhood. Initially, Andrey expected Yegor's interest to wane over time, but it never did. Powerlifting became a serious passion for Yegor. Initially, he would only sit on the training equipment and play with dumbbells, but he soon developed a keen interest in lifting barbells. Yegor and his father initially trained together, but then he was invited to his first competition. In his first attempt, Yegor managed to lift only 20 kilograms, which was still quite impressive for his age and physique. Now, Yegor is capable of competing on par with boys aged 12-13.
Serious Training and Dietary Control
Yegor's father takes his training much more seriously now than before. He even seeks advice from Mariana Naumova, a 13-year-old girl known as the strongest girl in the world. Some may argue that engaging in weightlifting at such a young age is objectively harmful. While there is some truth to this, Yegor participates in one of the least risky forms of the sport – bench press. This exercise does not put strain on the spine and does not affect his growth. However, Yegor finds adhering to a relatively strict diet more challenging. He had to avoid lifting weights heavier than 39 kilograms for some time, which was not easy for his rapidly growing body. Like adult athletes, Yegor consumes a lot of cottage cheese and other protein-rich foods. He avoids unhealthy and delicious foods such as buns, chips, crackers, and cookies, without much concern. Yegor's mother controls his diet, even though she is not personally involved in sports.
Aspiring for More
The national title is certainly a reason for Yegor to be proud, but he does not intend to stop there. His ultimate dream is to become a world champion. Since he cannot compete in international competitions before the age of 13, Yegor and his father see this as an opportunity to prepare thoroughly. Training takes up a significant amount of his time, with three sessions per week, in addition to regular schoolwork.
Interestingly, Yegor has not yet made a final decision about his future career. He is equally interested in becoming an artist as he is in pursuing a career as a weightlifter. Yegor indeed has some artistic abilities, but for now, his passion for weightlifting outweighs his artistic inclinations.
