Meanwhile in Kazakhstan …

Ilya Ilyin gave an interview to a Kazakh news site.

In it he walks about how he experienced the time after worlds and his future plans.

Below are the main points translated by Sergiy:





Being busy in the last two months with various events helped de-stress after Worlds.

Preparation for Worlds lasted 11 months without any breaks or vacations. Ilya finished at 15% higher than what was planned. Unlike other athletes, his body parameters went straight up rather than fluctuate.

Will compete once this year , for practice, but not at Worlds . Two very important competitions in two years is an injury risk. Rio is the goal.

, for practice, . Two very important competitions in two years is an injury risk. Rio is the goal. Added running to training last year that is that is very unusual for a weightlifter. In 2007 told that he could not run more than 1km. Now he can run 5-6+ km if needed.

Ilya also started doing some boxing. Rustem Sybay’s older brother is national champion in boxing, so he is a boxing coach in Ilya’s gym. Ilya has many boxing friends, so he wants to have a good boxing technique as well.

He swims for up to 2km and does little crossfit

His motto is “A weightlifter should be able to do everything.” It is important to borrow from other sports what you can because it may help win against competitors.

Once he did a speed test in a lab where he had to ride a stationary bike. Only 2 athletes in Kazakhstan got similar results.

Regularly does blood tests and consults with dietitians.

It is important to exercise not only the body, but also the mind. Last year Ilya read books about psychology, business, and “how to think properly.”

It is important to study many things: business, management, and languages. So that you have something to do after retirement. Speaking about himself, Ilya thinks that he will work hard in his career after retirement. For example, his mom has a hair salon and he can help expand the business. He will start with something small and progress until he achieves something big. It also doesn’t have negative effect on training.

If Ilya wins gold in Rio, his goal will be the 4th Olympic gold. Regarding motivation: “I lift for my country and get paid for it. Since the government is paying me, I must commit to my country. It needs my victories. I also have a team with many young guys who look at me. Thus, I don’t have a right to miss a lift even in training.”

Regarding Zhassulan Kydyrbaev vs Vladimir Sedov: Ilya expected this outcome. Zhassulan is the first athlete who did Ilya’s volume and did not have training setbacks. Sedov also worked hard, but he did have setbacks. That’s why Zhassulan won.

“I am a regular athlete who knows that a talented person is one who can sustain amount of work necessary to achieve the goals. If you can’t handle the work, you are not talented. I love work.”

The worst injury was in 2011 (groin muscles). Ilya was at 115-116 kg bodyweight and went through very hard times to recover. Small pains and injuries are basically a part of weightlifting and you have to get used to it.

About 2 months before a competition Ilya realizes how much he needs to lift to win. This time he remembers how he told his wife about 190+242. He knew that Nurudinov would lift a lot, no matter what anyone tells. Bedzhanyan surprised Ilya a little bit.

Ilya realizes how much he needs to lift to win. This time he remembers how he told his wife about 190+242. He knew that Nurudinov would lift a lot, no matter what anyone tells. Bedzhanyan surprised Ilya a little bit. Ilya never thinks badly about competitors. He knows that weightlifters would get more popular if they argue and talk badly about each other all the time, but prefers to show off on the platform. “I think it works for me pretty well.”

Ilya likes sweets. He works hard enough not to worry about it.

Would be cool to lift 200+250 one day in 105.

“It would also be cool to get to about 125 kg bodyweight and compete as a superheavy. Who knows what I can do there? It is possible to clean 257, maybe, if my body can handle it. The main thing is to believe in yourself. Truly. And never fall back.”