The 63-year-old parish priest of the Church of the Holy Trinity of Zaporizhia, Protopriest Vasyl Kovaliov, became a champion of Ukraine in powerlifting at a competition in Poltava. He is now invited to the world championship in London.
The 63-year-old parish priest of the Church of the Holy Trinity of Zaporizhia, Protopriest Vasyl Kovaliov, became a champion of Ukraine in powerlifting at a competition in Poltava. He lifted 375 kilos in a power triathlon and a 95 kilo weight in a lying position, breaking records for Ukraine in the category of veteran athletes. He is now invited to the world championship in London.
Fr. Kovaliov said that during the two hours of lifting weights he lifts a total of 14 tons. And this is during Lent. Unbelievably, the absence of the animal protein in the spring diet does not prevent the middle-aged priest from performing as good as a young bodybuilder.
"The priest represents the parish and is a model for all. I hope that my example is interesting not only for the youth but also for my peers," says the priest.
Vasia Kovaliov began boxing at a young age as Komsomol member in Briansk. Later, he moved to Ukraine. He worked as a physical education teacher in village schools. Later, he worked as the principal of a school. He was highly respected by young boys for his strength and justice.
And in the beginning of 1990s, Vasyl Kovaliov opened his way to the church.
"When you have strength and health you have time to do everything! Everyone has an hour or two per day to spend for one's health; it is free and prevents future expensive medical treatment. Ten years ago, the Lord sent me a trial when I had to have a kidney was removed due to a cyst. The doctors told me I must not lift more than three kilos. But I squatted with a 100 kilo weight in just four months," said the priest.
Once when the priest traveled by a night train, three young people picked on a pregnant woman. Very soon they repented their misconduct. When they recovered, they came to the church and apologized.
A few times a week, the priest lifts weights at the Sport Palace of the town of Tokmak, where the Ukrainian part of his life once began.
The star of Orthodox powerlifting has been invited to two veterans' championships: the European one in the Czech Republic and the world one in London, tsn.ua reported.