At the recent WPC World Cup in Idaho, a powerful athlete from Belarus caught the attention of many by bench pressing 240 kilograms (529 pounds) without equipment. His name is Stanislau Schastny and his remarkable performance sparked our curiosity, leading us to seek out an interview with him to learn more of his story. It turned out that Schastny’s journey is one of resilience and dedication, marked by an unwavering commitment to the sport of powerlifting. Below is a transcript of our interview with Stanislau.
Interviewer: Stanislau, you’ve had an impressive journey in powerlifting, but it all began with weightlifting. How did you first get into weightlifting, and what were some of your early achievements?
Stanislau Schastny: I started out weightlifting at a young age and quickly found success. I became a weightlifting champion in Belarus, and even became the Belarusian Master of Sport. I also competed in Ukraine and Russia at that time, where I managed to win against some tough competitors. Eventually, I joined the Belarusian national team.
Interviewer: Despite your early successes, you also faced a significant setback with the national team. What happened and how did it impact your career?
Stanislau Schastny: There was a disagreement with the team management which led to me stopping competitions completely in 2013. It was a difficult time, but I didn’t give up on my athletic career. Instead, I shifted my focus to powerlifting, where I found new opportunities and continued to compete.
Interviewer: How did your transition from weightlifting to powerlifting come about, and what were some of your early accomplishments in powerlifting?
Stanislau Schastny: Well, this transition was kind of accidental. The coach at the university invited me to perform at the Universiade, where I immediately set a new record for Belarus and took first place. In December 2014, I set a new record in Belarus under the International Powerlifting Federation by bench-pressing 480 pounds (218 kilograms). Shortly after, I competed in the Belarusian Championship, where I took first place in the junior category and second in the open-age category. After that, I participated in another competition where I failed to lift 220 kilograms. I tried my hand at bodybuilding after that, took part in some competitions and won, but I realized that I was more interested in power sports.
Interviewer: Right, you took a break after that, but afterward, you returned stronger and started setting records again. Can you talk about your return to sports and the milestones you achieved?
Stanislau Schastny: After taking some time to regroup, I came back to compete in a World Championship, where I set a new personal record and finished third. I continued to improve, and at the European Cup, I lifted 231 kilograms, breaking records in both Belarus and Europe. By 2016, I set new Belarusian and world records at the WRPF’s Belarusian Championship with a 245-kilogram lift. My success led to an invitation to compete in the highly competitive PRO division of the WRPF Cup.
Interviewer: With all this success, you must have felt unstoppable. But then, you faced a major challenge with an injury. Can you tell us about that experience?
Stanislau Schastny: Yes, it was a tough period. I got an elbow injury — two cracks in the elbow bone — following a competition where I lifted 262.5 kilograms. That happened about two weeks before a pro tournament. My doctors advised me not to participate, but I went ahead with it and managed to lift 260 kilograms with severe pain in my elbow. I even went and competed in Ukraine after that.
It took almost a year for me to recover from the elbow injury. Then it turned out that I needed heart surgery, and about four months after the heart surgery I had to have a surgery on my diastasis.
Interviewer: After recovering from your injuries, you did make a comeback in 2019. How did it feel to return to the sport, and what was it like to compete again after such a long break?
Stanislau Schastny: It was challenging but rewarding. I started training earnestly again in 2019 and had a successful performance at the Belarusian IPF Championship. Then I was set to compete at the Arnold Classic Europe, but the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted those plans. The pandemic delayed my return to international competition for a few years.
Interviewer: You recently made another return to competition in 2024, this time in the United States. How did that go, and what are your plans moving forward?
Stanislau Schastny: Yes, I competed in Jacksonville, Florida, in June 2024 and took first place, lifting 220 kilograms or about 530 pounds! That qualified me for the Mr. Olympia competition in Las Vegas this October. It was a great feeling to be back on the international stage. Alongside competing, I’m also focusing on coaching and refereeing now. Two of my students, Nikolai and Sergei Neson, performed well in the Iron Knights competition in Florida, taking first place in their age and weight categories, which is something I’m very proud of. Nikolai actually set a record in the state of Florida.
Interviewer: It sounds like you’re not only continuing your journey in powerlifting but also helping to shape the next generation of athletes. How does that feel?
Stanislau Schastny: It’s incredibly fulfilling. I’ve learned so much throughout my career, and now I have the opportunity to pass that knowledge on to others. Coaching and refereeing give me a new perspective on the sport, and I’m excited to see where it takes me and my students in the future.
Stanislau Schastny’s journey through the highs and lows of competitive sports has been nothing short of extraordinary. His determination to push past physical and emotional barriers has made him a force to be reckoned with in the world of powerlifting. While his roles as a coach and judge contribute to his legacy, it is his passion for the sport itself that truly defines him. For Stanislau, powerlifting is not just a pursuit—it’s his life’s focus, and his continuous drive for excellence sets a powerful example for athletes everywhere.
