An ethnic Abkhaz Elkan Gvazava, who competed in the weight category up to 61 kg set a Russian record at the Russian Weightlifting Championship among men and women. The Championship took place in Khanty-Mansiysk on June 1-8.

Gvazava lifted a 121 kg barbell in the snatch and a 138 kg barbell in the clean and jerk. It is noteworthy that the athlete studys at the Kazan Olympic Reserve School and trains under the guidance of Marat Madiyarov. Previously, he trained with the prominent Abkhaz coach Yason Kyakhba.