WeightlifterOlympic MedalistKazakhstaniRussian

Alla Vazhenina

Alla Vazhenina is a weightlifter who represented Russia and Kazakhstan, winning an upgraded gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

1. Early Life and Background

Alla Ivanovna Vazhenina was born on May 29, 1983, in Shadrinsk, Kurgan Oblast, then part of the RSFSR within the Soviet Union. Details about her early personal background beyond her birthplace and date are not publicly available.

2. Weightlifting Career

Alla Ivanovna Vazhenina's weightlifting career spanned over a decade, marked by a significant nationality change and ultimately culminating in Olympic gold.

2.1. Start of Career and Early Competitions

Vazhenina began her journey in weightlifting in 1997. Her early competitive experience included the 2003 World University Weightlifting Cup, held in Pavia, Italy, in July of that year. Competing in the 63 kg category, she secured a silver medal, finishing behind Kasen Chupan of Thailand.

2.2. Nationality Change to Kazakhstan

In 2007, Alla Vazhenina faced a pivotal moment in her career when she was not selected for the Russian national team. This exclusion led her to make the decision to change her national allegiance and compete for Kazakhstan. Following her naturalization, she began representing Kazakhstan in international competitions from 2008.

2.3. Performance at Major Championships

Representing Kazakhstan, Vazhenina quickly made an impact on the international stage. In April 2008, she participated in the 2008 Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Kanazawa, Japan. Competing in the 75 kg category, she lifted 265 lb (120 kg) in the snatch and 322 lb (146 kg) in the clean and jerk, achieving a total of 586 lb (266 kg). This performance earned her a silver medal, placing second to Cao Lei of China.

Later that year, in August 2008, Vazhenina competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. In the 75 kg category, she recorded a snatch of 262 lb (119 kg) and a clean and jerk of 324 lb (147 kg), again totaling 586 lb (266 kg). She initially won the silver medal, once more finishing behind Cao Lei.

2.4. Medal Upgrade

The outcome of Vazhenina's 2008 Olympic performance was significantly altered several years later. In October 2016, Cao Lei, the original gold medalist in the 75 kg category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was found to have committed a doping violation. As a result, her gold medal was officially revoked. Consequently, in January 2017, Alla Ivanovna Vazhenina's silver medal from the 2008 Summer Olympics was officially upgraded to a gold medal, recognizing her as the rightful Olympic champion.

3. Awards and Recognition

For her significant athletic achievements, Alla Ivanovna Vazhenina has received notable state honors. She is a recipient of the Order of Parasat, a prestigious award bestowed by the Republic of Kazakhstan for distinguished service to the nation.

4. Personal Life

Information regarding Alla Ivanovna Vazhenina's personal life, including details about her family or marital status, is not widely publicized.

5. Impact and Evaluation

Alla Ivanovna Vazhenina's career, particularly her Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan, represents a significant contribution to the nation's sporting history. Her achievement brought international recognition to Kazakhstan in the sport of weightlifting and stands as a testament to her perseverance and dedication, especially given her earlier non-selection for the Russian national team.