Winning Gold at the Europeans
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In 1989, Wim started his Powerlifting career under the influence of Luc Dobbelaere, at that time Technical Director Powerlifting VGPF. From the beginning, Wim proved to be very talented, as he became overall winner in his very first competition (VGPF 2nd division) in 1989. At a bodyweight of 56.7 kg, he succeeded with a 135 kg squat, a 100 kg bench press and a 190 kg deadlift. This was the start of many victories. Luc Dobbelaere was his trainer until 1991, afterwards Wim became his own trainer, assisted by his coach André Aelterman. In the mean time, Wim got his mutation from Keulen (Germany) to the mine disposal squad in Heverlee (near Leuven). In order to be able to train harder and more frequently Wim got a new mutation in 1992 to one of the last munitions factories of the Belgian army in Zwijndrecht. Up to now Wim still works there. One of the main reasons for the following list of successes is the never ceasing support by his corps superiors.
1989
Flemish Championships 28.10.89 1 457.5 401.78
Belgian Championships 25.11.89 1 462.5 406.17
1990
Flemish Championships 25.10.90 1 490 433.80
Belgian Championships 08.12.90 1 497.5 437.80
European Championships 04.05.90 4 490 438.21
World Championships 15.11.90 7 500 448.95
1991
Belgian Championships 07.12.91 1 560 494.82
Dutch Open 14.09.91 1 540 478.98
European Championships 10.05.91 3 525 466.62
1992
Flemish Championships 24.11.92 1 562.5 476.33
Belgian Championships 12.12.92 1 582.5 476.78
Dutch Open 27.09.92 1 602.5 501.88
European Championships 01.05.92 1 557.5 492.55
WorldChampionships 19.11.92 2 575 506.98
1993
Flemish Championships 02.10.93 1 580 507.38
Belgian Championships 07.11.93 1 582.5 482.66
WorldChampionships 02.12.93 2 585 511.76
1994
Open Brabantse 17.04.94 1 600 487.66
Flemish Championships 01.10.94 1 632.5 518.59
Belgian Championships 11.12.94 1 625 506.31
European Championships 12.05.94 1 600 491.94
WorldChampionships 17.11.94 1 645 526.97
1995
Open Brabantse 29.04.95 1 665 527.15
Flemish Championships 07.10.95 1 672.5 526.30
Belgian Championships 05.11.95 1 667.5 530.00
European Championships 18.05.95 1 635 518.80
WorldChampionships 17.11.95 1 657.5 538.16
1996
European Championships 16.05.96 1 662.5 541.26
European Union Cup 21.07.96 1 645 504.00
Belgian Championships 05.11.95 1 667.5 530.00
WorldChampionships 15.11.96 1 667.5 547.28
1997
European Championships 11.05.97 1 650 560.76
Belgian Championships 03.11.97 1 610 520.26
1998
Powerlifting Prom. Cup 25.04.98 1 675 576.58
European Championships 10.05.98 1 657.5 564.2
European Union Cup 15.08.98 2 640 525.56
Belgian Championships 1 650 546.13
WorldChampionships 10.11.98 1 652.5 563.43
1999
European Championships 13.05.99 1 647.5 560.86
Very few, even in Eastern Europe, can show such results. Wim's personal highlights were his first title of World Champion in 1994 (Johannesburg, South-Africa) together with his first European title in 1992 in Denmark under supervision of Stanny. The lowest point in his career were the World Championships in 1996 where he got his highest total (European record 667.5 KG ) but still was beaten by a nine day's wonder from Indonesia. The serious back injury in 1997 was of course another setback.
All through the years, Wim has always trained with partners. He started in 1989 in a team built around Marie Paul Geldhof. Olivier Grevet, Mario Van Trier, Eric Van Eenaeme, Filip Van Den Bogaerde and many others have really sweltered together with WIm. Coach André Aelterman was the only partner to stay until the end of 1998. Nowadays Wim particularly trains with Yves Van Nyvelseel, the only partner who outlifts him in kg, and with coach Eric Van Eenaeme, though André still helps when necessary. Wim's actual Belgian records will be very difficult to break. Wim is still European record keeper in de bodyweight class till 60 kg with 667.5 Kg total. Here you can find a list with his Belgian Records
Squat
-56 ELYN WIM 230.0 19.11.1992 BIRMINGHAM
-60 ELYN WIM 262.5 14.11.1996 SALZBURG
-67.5 ELYN WIM 265.0 24.03.1996 OVERIJSE
Bench Press
-56 ELYN WIM 130.0 02.12.1993 JONKOPING
-60 ELYN WIM 165.0 25.04.1998 GENT
-67.5 ELYN WIM 163.5 20.03.1999 IZEGEM
DEAD LIFT
-56 ELYN WIM 235.5 07.12.1991 OOSTENDE
-60 ELYN WIM 265.0 25.04.1998 GENT
-67.5 VAN WEMMEL F. 272.5 16.04.1988 GENT
TOTAAL
-56 ELYN WIM 585.0 02.12.1993 BIRMINGHAM
-60 ELYN WIM 675.0 25.04.1998 OOSTENDE
-67.5 ELYN WIM 672.5 07.10.1995 MERCHTEM
Ten years at the top is of course a great strain on the body, so a lot of medical help was needed in order to keep Wim winning international medals. Sometimes they only treated small problems but other times they brought him from a wheelchair to a winning medal. Those indispensable people were.
Nutritionconsultant: Fernand De Baets
Kinesitherapist Kiné: Wim Daveloose
Osteopath: Ostheo Jan Schmidt
Physician: Doctor Inge Gevaert
Sport physician Doctor: Marleen Van Langenhove
Orthopedist Doctor: Piet Liebbrecht
In August 1996 Wim became secretary of Royal Olympic Ghent. Within three years the budget as well as the number of members had tripled. Now Royal Olympic Gent has become well known in the media. Of course this was not, only Wim's work but is needs to be said that he was the inspiring man.
Wim is also secretary of the "Deelsportraad Gent Centrum", an organization, which directs more than 100 sports clubs in the city.
At the moment Wim is very busy with the organization of the Belgian Championships Powerlifting planned on Sunday 28th of November. As we know Wim, this promises to be a successful event. Wim is still looking for some prizes for the competitors. He wants everyone to get a prize because only recognition can make a sport great. Perhaps the reason why Wim wants to gather some recognition for the next generation is that he did not get enough recognition during his own career.
Wim's advice: if you want to reach the top in Powerlifting, you have to train very hard, keep from "bad" habits and listen to experienced powerlifters. There is no other way.
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