Vasily Alekseyev: Olympic Champion Superheavyweight Weightlifter Dies at
November 25, 2011
Vasily Alekseyev was a Soviet weightlifter. Born on January 7, 1942, in Pokrovo-Shishkino, in the Ryazan region of Russia, he began training as a lumberjack's son.
He won Olympic gold medals in the super heavyweight class in 1972 and 1976 and set 80 world records. He was World Champion eight times and dominated the sport in the 1970s.
He died in Germany on November 25, 2011, at age 69, after being treated for heart problems.
Achievements: Two Olympic golds, 80 world records.
Birth: January 7, 1942 - Pokrovo-Shishkino, Russia.
Profession: Weightlifter.
Interesting Facts: He was a national hero in the Soviet Union.