HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve hosted the traditional Kolm Vägilast XII powerlifting tournament on 16 May 2026 under WDFPF rules.
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Kolm Vägilast XII brought powerlifting history, strong performances and a great atmosphere to HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve
On 16 May 2026, HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve hosted the traditional powerlifting tournament Kolm Vägilast XII, also known as Three Heroes 12. The event gathered athletes from Kohtla-Järve, Ahtme, Jõhvi, Lüganuse parish and Tallinn. The competition followed WDFPF amateur powerlifting rules and was also connected to the 20th anniversary of EDFPF.
HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve, led by Timo Majuri, has become an important strength training location in Ida-Virumaa. The tournament showed that Kohtla-Järve has a strong powerlifting tradition and that the local gym offers a solid training and competition environment for both experienced athletes and new lifters.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the equipped deadlift performance by Sergei Dermelev. The 21-time World Champion, EDFPF President and event organizer lifted 225 kg in the M6 age group, under 100 kg bodyweight category, in equipped deadlift. In the event report, this result was marked as a world-record-level achievement dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Kohtla-Järve.
The atmosphere in the gym was warm and emotional. Sergei Jekimov’s supporters created a real competition spirit, with his children cheering him on and helping him reach the best overall powerlifting result of the day. Jekimov finished with a raw total of 160 + 92.5 + 185 = 437.5 kg, earning 253.794 points.
Special guests Vladimir and Taisia Kotov also attended the event and highlighted the friendly atmosphere of the competition. The venue itself received positive feedback as well. Vladimir Kavalevski, coach of the Ida-Keskus Tallinn team, praised the ventilation and training conditions at HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve.
Men’s raw / unequipped powerlifting results
| Place | Athlete | City / region | Class | Result | Points |
| 1 | Sergei Jekimov | Ahtme / Kohtla-Järve | SR UQ -100 kg | 160 + 92.5 + 185 = 437.5 kg | 253.794 |
| 2 | Bogdan Männik | Tallinn / Ida-Keskus Sport | T1 UQ -82.5 kg | 110 + 87.5 + 132.5 = 330 kg | not provided |
| 3 | Evgeni Mikhailov | Jõhvi | UQ | 95 + 70 + 115 = 280 kg | not provided |
Men’s raw / unequipped bench press results
| Place | Athlete | Class | Result | Note |
| 1 | Denis Bykov | SR UQ -90 kg | 145 kg | one of the strongest bench press results of the day |
| 2 | Feodor Djatlov | UQ -90 kg | 122.5 kg | reported as meeting the World Championship standard |
| 3 | Viktor Matvejev | M6 UQ -82.5 kg | 107.5 kg | World Champion, repeated his 2021 result |
| 4 | A. Zintsenko | UQ | 107.5 kg | strong debut performance |
| 5 | Aleksei Djatlov | M3 UQ | 92.5 kg | competed at 102.5 kg bodyweight |
| 6 | Bogdan Männik | T1 UQ -82.5 kg | 87.5 kg | 15-year-old athlete |
| 7 | Evgeni Mikhailov | UQ | 70 kg | part of his full powerlifting total |
Men’s raw / unequipped deadlift results
| Place | Athlete | Class | Result | Points / note |
| 1 | Aleksei Zhuravlyov | M1 UQ -100 kg | 185 kg | 106.912 points |
| 2 | Sergei Jekimov | SR UQ -100 kg | 185 kg | part of the best PL total of the day |
| 3 | Bogdan Männik | T1 UQ -82.5 kg | 132.5 kg | successful lift |
| 4 | Evgeni Mikhailov | UQ | 115 kg | part of his PL total |
Men’s equipped lifting results
| Place | Athlete | Class | Event | Result | Points |
| 1 | Sergei Dermelev | M6 EQ -100 kg | Deadlift | 225 kg | 128.475 |
Women’s division
The report did not include separate women’s raw or equipped results. If women’s results are added later, they can be published in a separate table using the same structure.
Young athletes and the future of powerlifting
One of the most impressive young athletes of the day was 15-year-old Bogdan Männik, who achieved a raw powerlifting total of 330 kg. According to the report, this result exceeded the standard required for participation at the World Championships. His performance shows that a new generation of strong lifters is rising in Estonian powerlifting.
Denis Bykov’s 145 kg raw bench press and Feodor Djatlov’s 122.5 kg raw bench press also stood out, confirming the strong presence of the Ida-Keskus Sport Tallinn team at the event.
HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve as a home for strength sports
Kolm Vägilast XII proved that HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve is well suited for both everyday strength training and serious powerlifting events. The gym offers good lighting, strong ventilation and a wide range of training equipment, creating a reliable environment for beginners, advanced lifters and competitive athletes.
The event was supported by Kohtla-Järve City Government, Kaitseliit Alutaguse malev, Ida-Virumaa Sports Union, supporters connected with the Estonian Olympic Committee, Arthur Seppern and many judges, assistants, athletes and spectators who helped make the competition possible.
Kolm Vägilast XII was more than a competition – it was a celebration of strength sports in Ida-Virumaa. HC GYM Fitness Center Kohtla-Järve thanks all athletes, organizers, guests and supporters, and welcomes everyone interested in strength training to a gym where power, community and sporting spirit come together.