Ebert now world-class lifter

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 48

Ebert now world-class lifter

The Commonwealth Games silver medallist, A. J. Ebert, of Canterbury, further consolidated himself as New Zealand’s most promising weight-lifter by the manner of his win at the recent Australasian championships in Melbourne.

His total of 9031 b for the three Olympic-style lifts would have given him a world ranking of thirteenth on performances set at the latest world championships. What was most significant about Ebert’s lifts at Melbourne is his continued improvement under big-time competition conditions. This has always been the sign of a champion—the capacity to respond to the challenge of international opposition.

At Melbourne, Ebert broke three New Zealand records and equalled another. His 2531 b snatch was the most satisfying from the point of view of his coach, Mr H. Morrison, because the snatch has been Ebert’s weakest link in the Olympic lifts. His improvement of 51b in the snatch shows he has gained in technique in this highly complex movement. His over-all improvement in strength shown by his New Zealand record in the jerk of 3471 b indicates he will further improve his snatch. The success in this jerk at Melbourne gave Ebert the greatest thrill in his lifting career so far. He says he weighed in at 1641 b. a pound and a half less than his usual limit for the middle-weight division. LOOKED SO EASY Yet the 3471 b he jerked above his head—more than twice his bodyweight—-went up so easily the first time that he drove it out of his grasp and tost the bar behind him. When he took the same weight again it went up with such speed, precision and balance, observers said it was evident he could have handled even more poundage. While Ebert has been concentrating on improvement in his jerk and snatch, the other lift in the trio, the press, has, inevitabh- fw*

to a comparative extent neglected. Even so, he equalled his own Commonwealth record for the lift at Melbourne with a splendid 3031 b. MUNICH TARGET His total of 9031 b at Melbourne is considered to be a major advance, according to Mr Morrison. "This is the total I thought he would do,” he said. “He has now only to improve by 231 b to be in the qualifying class for Munich.” In the meantime, Ebert’s next objective should be to gain a good total in the world championships at Peru next October.

It is known that he has forgone an attractive invitation to compete at an important Australian competition at Melbourne because he may get the chance to represent New Zealand at the world championships. CHANGE OF JOB Continued training every day, sometimes twice a day, to get ready for Peru, is a big job coming so soon after the Melbourne contest But Ebert was recently appointed as representative for a medical fpundation which has given him the advantage of regular hours for training. This advantage has been shown in his steady improvement this year. And on his present rate of gain, Mr Morrison said. Ebert’s prospects for success at international level are getting better all the time. The photograph shows Ebert coming up from a deep squat in a strengthening exercise.