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Majid Shahnavaz: The Journey of a World Powerlifting Champion

Today, we delve into the world of Majid Shahnavaz, a powerful athlete who reigns supreme in the field of powerlifting. Join us as we uncover the secrets of his success.

Before we proceed, let's acknowledge Majid Shahnavaz's remarkable career achievements and honors.

Athlete

Asian Competitions

  • 2006, the Philippines, Gold medal
  • 2008, Hong Kong, Gold medal (breaking the Asian record)
  • 2009, the Philippines, Gold medal
  • 2014 Kyrgyzstan, Gold medal


World Championship Competition

  • 2005 Sweden, World Championship Competition, ranking 5th 
  • 2016 Denmark, World Championship Competition, ranking 4th
  • 2017 USA, Texas, World Championship Competition, ranking 4th


National Team Coaching (Iran)

  • 2005 South Korea, ranking first in Asia
  • 2006 Philippines, ranking first in Asia
  • 2009 Philippines, ranking first in Asia
  • 20013 Iran, Ahvaz


REFEREE

Asian Competitions

Every year from 2005 to 2017

World Championship Competition

  • 2016 Denmark
  • 2016 South Africa
  • 2017 USA, Texas
  • 2019 Dubai


His journey began!

During his thirteenth year, he developed a keen interest in gymnastics. He had engaged in various sports activities, such as taekwondo and karate, since he was six. Nevertheless, his fascination with gymnastics prompted him to enroll at a gym. However, the following day, he was informed that gymnastics classes were no longer available there.

“Consequently, I requested a refund, only to be informed that such a refund was not feasible. Instead, I was advised to commit to at least one month's membership. Remarkably, more than three decades have since transpired, and I have continued my membership as a powerlifter,” said Majid Shahnavaz.

There Is a Time and a Place for Everything

He never discontinued his exercises. “I can assert that venturing into professional sports and championships mandates a foundation in sports and fundamental physical fitness. The selection of a sport should ideally occur during one's formative years, allowing the body to assimilate the specific requirements,” says Majid Shahnavaz.

 

Challenges

Apart from physical injuries which are inevitable, the second challenge he faced was more intertwined with his personal life. His engagement in university entrance examinations and military service posed substantial demands. He was fortunate to surmount these challenges with the support of his family.

The third challenge for him is intrinsically linked to the inherently political landscape of sports. Gaining admission to the national team and handling various correspondences were significant aspects of this challenge. Fortunately, he progressed through this phase by establishing connections with the World Federation. “I have served as a representative of the World Federation for 22 years,” he says.

He also mentions stressors, a challenge that can be attributed to environmental factors stemming from exposure to new and unfamiliar conditions. Another facet of stress pertains to nutritional considerations for him.

He continues: “I consistently managed them. I took preemptive measures when competitions were situated in less-than-ideal environmental conditions, such as inclement weather in the host country. This entailed conducting my training while donning appropriate attire to account for the possibility of precipitation and excessive sweating. In addressing nutritional concerns, I proactively carried my food supply, meticulously adhering to my dietary plan to ensure minimal disruption.”

He used to arrive at the competition destination three to four days before. This deliberate early arrival allowed him to acclimatize to the local time zone and other environmental factors.

He undertook extensive domestic and international competition participation to mitigate stress stemming from genetic predispositions which aided in reducing the stress associated with these inherent factors.

It is noteworthy that he adhered to stringent criteria for participation in competitions. Non-standard events, even at the Asian level, were unequivocally avoided, as they posed an elevated risk of injury.

Methods and Techniques

He believes that powerlifting was nascent then, lacking established pioneers to draw for experiential knowledge. He adopted training methodologies from more advanced countries such as Russia, the United States, and Japan. Subsequently, he tailored these approaches to align with the unique geographical conditions of his country.

He says: “For instance, I implemented Russian warm-up techniques during cold days. In contrast, during the summer season, I incorporated American methodologies. I integrated Japanese methods in biomechanics, including precise hand and foot positioning.”

In his pursuit, he transitioned from powerlifting to specializing in the bench press, effectively consolidating the three distinct movements into a singular endeavor. This subcategory hosts separate competitions, spanning from the Asian level to the global stage, akin to the broader domain of powerlifting.

This great transition enabled him to strike a harmonious balance between his personal and athletic life ambitions while mitigating injuries. By concentrating on a singular movement, Mr. Shahnavaz naturally achieved greater success.

The bench press presents inherent challenges, requiring the barbell to traverse a more extensive distance to reach the chest. These dynamics stem from the exercises he commenced during his formative years, which significantly molded his physique.

Mr. Shahnavaz adhered to a strategic regimen aimed at weight loss during the three to four months leading up to a competition. This involved a reduction in the intensity of his workouts and an increase in his allotted rest periods.

Staying Focused during Competitions

In this sport, your adversaries are the weights and bars, a personal association you should establish. Unlike taekwondo and karate, this discipline lacks a direct, face-to-face opponent.

Golden Times Breed Golden Medals

The training sessions are most effective during what can be described as one's "golden time." It is imperative not to undermine the importance of meticulously scheduling training. In such instances, he meticulously adjusted his exercise routines to align with the time zone of his home country in international travels.

A Memorable Moment

Mr. Shahnavaz participated in the Asian Youth Powerlifting Championship for the first time. Upon his triumphant return, having clinched the first-place position in Asia, an overwhelming wave of excitement permeated his family, relatives, friends, and neighbors. They expressed their admiration and support by adorning the streets with banners for several hundred meters. Subsequently, he was granted an exemption from military service!

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