Russian girl wins Arnold Classic on bench barbell press

A Russian athlete set an absolute world record in the bench press among teenage girls in a power lifting tournament in the USA. The tournament was held within the scope of the sports festival Arnold Classic, the press service of the Ministry for Physical Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Activities for the Moscow region said.

Thirteen-year-old student Mariana Naumova lifted the barbell weighing 105 kg. The girl thus won the tournament, organized by famous athlete, actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mariana received a personal invitation to Mr. Olympia 2013 sports show to be held in September in Las Vegas.

Sports Festival Arnold Classic 2013 was held on March 1-4 in Columbus. Nearly 18,000 athletes represented more than 45 sports, including: bodybuilding, fitness, powerlifting, CrossFit, Boxing, Strongman, judo, gymnastics etc.

Schwarzenegger personally congratulated the Russian athlete. The girl received a medal, a commemorative plaque and a cash prize of one thousand dollars from ProMeraSport.

Maryana Naumova is the world champion in 2011-2012, a multiple record holder in Russia, Europe and the World in the bench barbell press. She is the first girl under 18 years of age, who performed Elite of Russia standard in bench press and was thus allowed to participate in professional tournaments in powerlifting.