Russian powerlifter fractures legs in failed squat attempt

A Russian power lifter has fractured both of his knees in a failed attempt to squat 400kg (880lb) and must now learn to walk again.

Alexander Sedykh was competing in the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) European Championships near Moscow, when the horrifying incident happened.

The defending champion can be seen bending under the bar to hold the enormous weight on his shoulders. He is visibly shaking while holding the sheer mass for a few moments before attempting the strenuous squat.

As he attempts the squat, all seems well for a brief moment, before his knees buckle and Sedykh can be seen screaming in pain.

Medics rushed to the power lifter’s aid and he was rushed to hospital for immediate surgery, which lasted six hours. 

Both knees were fractured, according to Yahoo News, adding that his quadricep muscles had to be reattached. 

In an interview, the Russian lifter said the disastrous lift means he will have to learn to walk again.  

‘The main thing is that I must lie motionless in bed for two months,’ he said. ‘Then I’ll be taught how to walk again.

‘It’ll take time to recuperate. I’ve had my quadriceps re-sewn and my knees put back together.’

He didn’t reveal if he will continue his weightlifting career.

Last year, a similar injury beset a weightlifter as he tried to squat a lesser 250kg (550lb) during a competition in Russia.  

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Yaroslav Radashkevich was at the Eurasian Weightlifting Championship when he buckled under the colossal weight at the gym in Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East.

He suffered a compound fracture to his right tibia and was rushed to hospital