Historical Tracing Of Weightlifting At Home And Abroad

Jan 09, 2024

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In the early primitive human society, people had to lift heavy objects or pick up wooden sticks of certain length and weight to attack and defend themselves in order to survive and prevent the invasion of beasts. In order to have enough strength, people often enhance their physical fitness, develop strength, and exercise courage by lifting heavy objects. 
foreign country
Weightlifting is a relatively primitive and ancient activity. In ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China, there were forms of strength training and competitions such as lifting stones, locks, and poles. [2] 2500 years ago, there were records of weightlifting in ancient Greece. A Hercules named Milon can lift a cow. The Greeks were the first to use specialized equipment to develop strength and enhance physical fitness, known as "Hartlis". In Greek and ancient Egyptian sculpture, it is common to see a statue of a strong man with a muscular physique, holding a thick round wooden stick or other object. In ancient Scotland, it was popular to show strength by lifting heavy objects. The specific method was to lift a 100 kilogram stone from the ground and place it on a platform above 1.2 meters. Anyone who can achieve this has the right to wear a high hat, which is a symbol of adulthood. 
China
In ancient China, power was the most important factor in production and warfare. In war, whether it was archery with a bow or wielding a knife or axe, sufficient strength was required. Therefore, the ancient military strategist Wu Qi made the ability to lift a heavy bronze cauldron a necessary condition for selecting soldiers. During the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period, monarchs of various countries made every effort to recruit powerful men from all over the world. For example, King Wu of Qin used his high official and generous salary to attract famous warriors such as Ren Bi, Wu Huo, and Meng Shuo to serve the state of Qin. Therefore, in ancient China, both soldiers in the army and ordinary people paid great attention to strength training, and many powerful heroes and heroes emerged.
In ancient China, there were no specialized equipment for practicing weightlifting, and the objects that were lifted were particularly common in daily life. There are two earliest and most recorded types in historical records: one is the large cauldron used to cook meat in ancient times. It is reasonable for ancient people to choose cauldrons as weightlifting objects. Firstly, the tripod is made of bronze and is quite heavy, weighing several hundred pounds and often exceeding a thousand pounds. Using this method to develop strength, especially explosive power, is definitely very effective; Secondly, tripods generally have three legs, two ears, multiple gripping points, and are not easy to release; Finally, the tripod is everywhere and easy to find, making it more convenient to practice. In addition, the tripod is a familiar household appliance, and its weight is also well-known. It can lift such an object, especially to demonstrate its ability. Another commonly used weightlifting object is the large and heavy latch used to close the city gate. In ancient times, people called this weightlifting activity "Qiaoguan". In 702 AD, when Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty established the martial arts examination system, "Qiaoguan" was also included in the official examination items of the martial arts examination. However, at this time, "Qiaoguan" used standard wooden bars specially made for the martial arts examination. It is one zhang seven feet long and three and a half inches thick. Lifting it ten times is considered qualified. 

In the Chinese "Zuo Shi Chun Qiu", it is recorded that Confucius had the ability to hold the "Gate Pass". "Gate Gate" is a bar or bolt used to top the city gate, made of hardwood, heavy and long. At that time, people who could lift the gate gate were not simple.
In the Records of the Grand Historian written by Sima Qian, it is recorded that King Wu of Qin was very powerful and competitive. He appointed the famous Hercules as high-ranking officials at that time and often compared their strength by holding bronze cauldrons.
During the period of Chu Han conflict, the Chu hegemon was famous for his ability to carry a thousand pounds of tripod.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Guan Yu, the leader of Liu Bei's Five Tiger Generals, used the Qinglong Yanyue Blade, which weighed 82 pounds. If he had no strength, how could he lift such a heavy weapon, let alone wave it to fight?
During the reign of Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty, when electing soldiers, one had to pass the "Qiaoguan" exam. "Qiaoguan", also known as lifting the door, requires standing still for 10 times to pass.
In the martial arts examination of the Ming Dynasty, the strength was assessed by lifting a hundred pound large sword and rotating it around the body. The famous anti Japanese patriotic general Qi Jiguang ordered someone to cast an iron man weighing 300 pounds, which was qualified for soldiers to carry and walk one mile to enhance their physical fitness.
During the Jiajing period, there was a subject of stone lifting in the Qinding Military Field Regulations. This type of stone is called "Shidunzi", with clasps on both sides for easy grip, weighing 300 pounds. Those who require the martial arts exam must lift the stone pier at least one foot above the ground to pass. At that time, the movement of lifting stone poles and locks was very popular among the people. Shidan is two flat circular giant stones, with a hole chiseled in the middle and a wooden or bamboo stick worn; The stone lock is a rectangular stone, with a handshake carved on top, resembling an old-fashioned door lock. This is a necessary skill for all martial arts practitioners to develop their strength.