Topic: Death of Olympic Champion Anatoli Khrapty

[John Way]

The Kazakh Anatoly Khrapaty, five times world champion weightlifting (94 kg category) and Olympic champion in Seoul in 1988, died in a traffic accident Monday, according to the local press.

Aged 45 years, incorporated in the army (in charge of sports) since retiring sports, he killed [on?] a motorcycle near Astana, the Kazakh capital after hitting a vehicle whose driver had lost control.

Khrapaty won five world championships, from 1985 to 1990, five European titles and was Olympic champion in Seoul (1988). (AFP)

[Dave Chiu]

Thanks JW.

Wow, there's nothing like such a tragedy to remind you of the greatness of one who was a past star.

He really was a truly Olympian competitor.

God rest his soul and comfort his loved ones.

DYC

[Matt Foreman]

This is just such a tragedy.  Khrapaty was an enormous inspiration to me when I started lifting in the late 80s.  I was a 90 kilo lifter originally, and Khrapaty was the best in the world in my weight class.  I remember putting pictures of him on the walls of the gym I trained in.  He was a fantastic competitor and he was one of the top in the world for many years.  Rest in peace.