The weightlifters of SK Vöest Linz have already won 19 championship titles in the club’s history, and now they’re embarking on the anniversary. The opponent in the first round of the Bundesliga on Saturday (6 p.m.) is local rivals and last year’s runners-up, WKG Innviertel Lochen/Ranshofen.
“Our people are fit and hot for the derby,” says Vöest section head Klaus Hofwimmer, who, in addition to former European champion Sargis Martirosjan, the up-and-coming Hmayak Misakyan and Veronika Honcharova, can also call on newcomer Julian Heidenbauer. The favorite role in Lochen this time is clearly with the people of Linz, after last season they could only just win the preliminary round duel with 2:1. This time the starting point is clearer.
Innviertel’s strongest lady, Sarah Fischer, knows that too: “Because all the other teams have strengthened and unfortunately we haven’t, I have to say realistically that we are probably behind Vöest and Vösendorf.”
Her training partner, 18-year-old Lena Raidel, who finished tenth at the U20 Championship last year, wants to reach the norm for another title fight as soon as possible. To do this, the woman from Straßwalchner needs a duel performance of 177 kilograms.
Source: Nachrichten
