Mikhail Koklyaev

[Ted Reinders]

Koklyaev is certainly one of the greatest all-around strength athletes of all time and it surprises me to find no thread for him yet. Koklyaev possesses world-class ability in every strength sport, and as much charisma as Pudzianowski has intensity.

He is always smiling, and is constantly creating new material on his Youtube channel for his fans. There are videos there of a 200kg snatch from the hang, a 270kg behind-the-neck jerk, a 275kg no-arms squat, monkey bar play at a park, and several videos of him and of his son playing accordion.

So, what do you love about Koklyaev? Any fun or exciting anecdotes about the man? I recently read that he intends to go back to weightlifting full-time: anyone know more about what his goals will be?

[paul joseph]

saw him at a uk event earlier this year, very affable,

[Luke Killick]

Colin Bryce said he plans on entering the 2012 Olympics in weightlifting

[Elliot Storey]

We were on the same safari bus in South Africa. It was really cool interacting (if only a little) away from the competition, plus the fact that everyone had a blast. Whether in competition or looking for lions, a smile is never far away. He actually reminds me of Bergmanis in that way, who was also on the safari.