Louis Martin M.B.E:
Like the proverbial Phoenix Louis Martin has re-emerged into the world of Weightlifting once again. The sport which he dominated for almost three decades has honoured him in 2009 by electing him President of the Btitish Weightlifters' Association (BWLA). Louis Martin is hailed as one of Britain's most successful Weightlifters of all time. It is 50 years to the day since Louis won his first World and European title in Warsaw, Poland in 1959. Louis said "I feel highly honoured and it will be a privilege to serve the sport that I have loved and enjoyed for so many years. I will be eternally grateful and will do all I can to help restore British Weightlifting to its former glory. British Weightlifting was once the envy of the rest of the world." We interviewed Louis at his home in Heanor near Derby and asked him a few questions (thanks for the help of Dr. Chris Freebury, Director BWLA). IWF - Congratulations on your recent appointment as President of BWLA almost 50 years from when you first came to prominence. What plans do you have to improve British Weightlifting and how will you go about it? L M - In the immediate future we are focussing on the London Olympics in 2012 to make an impact. The Commonwealth Games in Delhi (2010) are also an opportunity for BWLA to shape its future intentions. We aim to do this by focussing on improving and raising awareness of weightlifting and strength sports in school aged potential competitors over the next five or so years. We aim to formulate and encourage the development of a five -year weightlifting strategy for BWLA which will hopefully shape future weightlifting improvements and make improvements in communications, performance management and underpin this with by robust governance. We aim to deliver a programme of activities over the 2010 and 2012 period using the media to help de-stigmatise strength sports in general and weightlifting in particular. The centenary (in 2010) of BWLA will be pivotal in this drive to return British Weightlifting to its former glory and thereby attract more funding. In doing so we will aim to examine the relationship between World Class Lifting (our performance arm) and BWLA in order to maximise efficiencies of scale and focus the direction of both. We will also seek to strengthen and extend our strategic alignment with the IWF. IWF -What is your opinion of today's weightlifting and who do you think is the best weightlifter nowadays and why? LM -Weightlifting today is technically very proficient-with such heavy poundages technique is surpassing brute strength and today's weightlifters are certainly a marvel to behold. I have a great deal of admiration and respect for today's lifters because of the "different" associated pressures and expectations they face in delivering first class results. These days the spectrum of elite countries seems to have narrowed since the 50's and 60's when the whole world had greater representation on the winners' rostrum. Who do I think is the best lifter -that's a very subjective question since who I prefer may not be technically the best lifter. However, in my view the best lifter in terms of style, history, bodyweight commitment and because he holds the clean and jerk World record is Szymon Kolecki. I feel he is probably the best candidate irrespective of any pressures he may have succumbed to because he still has room for growth with a number of world class performances yet to be realised. IWF - Who is your favourite weightlifter of all time and why? LM -Norbert Schemansky -a friend and mentor. One of the greatest weightlifters of all time (and who kindly donated his weightlifting boots to me at the 1959 World Champioships). Dedicated, a true amateur lifter and family man whose only ambition was to lift heavier weights (despite injury and other setbacks). Technically superb and a renowned gentleman of the sport. Greatly admired by every lifter of his time and an icon of weightlifting in respect of his medals and championship titles. IWF - Now you are in your mid -seventies dare we ask about your current connection to physical exercise? LM - I train about 3 times a week with my youngest son (more bodybuilding exercises than weightlifting movements). I walk my pet Shih-tzu dog twice a day for the cardiovascular component to fitness and generally keep abreast of the world of weightlifting in my role as President of BWLA. Louis Martin was a remarkable lifter in his day having won : 4 World Championship titles- 1959, 62, 63 and 65 2 World Championship Silver medals - 1961 and 64. 4 European Championship titles -1959,62, 63 ad 65 1 European Silver medal -1961 3 consecutive Commonwealth Gold medals -1962, 64 and 70 An Olympic Bronze medal in 1960-Rome An Olympic Silver medal in 1964- Tokyo Competed in the 1968 Olympics-Mexico 12 Consecutive British Championships wins 1959 to 1970 Was awarded the M.B.E in 1965 for services to the sport of Weightlifting. Martin states that in his view with the new BWLA executive structure in place there is a greater possibility of medals being won both in the up-coming Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010) and in the London Olympics in 2012. He is proud to be a part of the new structure and looks forwards to basking in the reflected glory which is to come.
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