As a weightlifter, Stas Chalaev is used to carrying a lot on his shoulders and his extraordinary strength has made him one of our hottest Commonwealth Games medal hopefuls.
But every time he takes to the weightlifting stage, the talented 23-year-old carries a burden in his heart – one that he never expected to bear.
His mum Larissa, who was his biggest supporter, committed suicide last year after a long battle with severe depression. Now Larissa will never see her son’s sporting dreams come true.
“It’s pretty hard when something like that happens,” says Stas. “Weightlifting has kept me going because it’s a routine and a motivation. It has helped me get through this.”
Larissa brought Stas to New Zealand from Russia 11 years ago, hoping to give him a better life. He began weightlifting here and when he started competing, Larissa would be at every event cheering him on.
“Every time I used to lift my weights, oum would say ‘Davij! Davaj!’ which means ‘Come on!’ in Russian,” hesmiles. “I miss her so much.”
Losing his mum means Stas no longer has any family in New Zealand, and the close-knit weightlifting community has taken him to its heart.
“oum would have wanted me to continue my weightlifting, and I think if she could see me now and see the bond I’ve made with those in the sport, she would be extremely proud,” he says.
Stas’ determination has also inspired his teammates. Fellow weightlifter and friend Richie Patterson (27) nominated his mate for a Cadbury Chocolate Grant.
When an athlete wins this grant, the company donates $20,000 worth of chocolate to be sold to raise funds.
Richie says, “We are all very proud of Stas. He’s in a situation that none of us would want to be in but he doesn’t feel sorry for himself. He’s got lots of courage. I’d love to see him achieve his goal.”
Stas has met the qualifying criteria for the Commonwealth Games held in India later this year and if he travels to Delhi, he will take a momento of his mother with him.
He says, “I always take some of my mum’s stuff overseas with me, a shirt or something. It helps me focus and gets my priorities straight.
“This is an emotional sport. If you can harness your emotions in the right way, it can help you to win. And I hope I can win – for oum.”
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