LAURE D'UTRUY

Weightlifting is the only power based sport in the Olympic games. During the competition, two lifts are judged, the "snatch" and the "clean and jerk".

Paris, France, December 2012.

Besançon, France, March 2013

The Teams Championship Final in France.

Amir. 77 - 105 Kilos.

"I've always wanted to do weightlifting, a technique associated with strength. I discovered the other side of the looking glass of an unusual sport. It brings me a lot of well-being".

Jill. 70 - 95 Kilos.

When he first joined the club, the young man did not have enough money to pay for his annual subscription. Ali, the coach, paid it for him, believing in his potential.

Jérémy. 92 - 112 Kilos.

The avid biker was in coma for several months after an accident and had to undergo rehabilitation for a year. He now lifts over 100 kilograms.

Jean-Baptiste. 85 - 110 Kilos. 

By day, Jean-Baptiste is an educator for children. He dreamt of being a jeweller, for which he studied two years.

André. 95 - 127 Kilos. 

He is the oldest athlete of the club. "I've lifted the equivalent of four times the Eiffel tower in my life" he would tell you, proudly. The athlete writes his workout programme.

Sayed. 158 - 200 Kilos. 

The brothers, Mika and Cyril.

Each athlete has its own locker, Sayed has stuck a picture of his Egyptian victory on his.

Besançon, France, March 2013. 

During the Championship. Every kilo lifted adds up to the final score, so that they may beat the other team. The men figure out different strategies and calculate their hypotheses. 

Oscar. 135 - 165 Kilos.

The belt ensures back support during exercises. Sayed has been using one since he was eleven years old. 

Ali. 150 - 180 Kilos.

The man, in his early thirties, a former high level competitor, chose to leave Tunisia in order to coach the team in the fall of 2009.

Sayed, the team captain, attentively watches Sergio's best movement. 

Sergio. 105 - 120 Kilos. 

"Weightlifting gives me structure, spirit". Sergio, originally from Spain, left the club in September 2013 and is now running a fitness business. 

Besançon, France, March 2013. The men look at the screen showing the result of their performances.