Jaan Talts


Jaan Talts is a former Estonian weightlifter. He competed for the Soviet Union at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and won a silver and a gold medal, respectively. Throughout his career, Talts won two world and four European titles and set approximately 40 world records.

Biography

As a teenager Talts trained in athletics, in throwing events. He took up weightlifting while studying at the Tihemetsa Technical College of Agriculture and Forestry. In 1967 he became the first middle-heavyweight weightlifter to break the 500 kg barrier in the total, and hence was named the best Soviet athlete of the year.
After retiring from competitions Talts coached weightlifters in Estonia, and starting from 2007 headed the Estonian national weightlifting team. between 1981 and 19988 he served as rector of the Estonian Sports Academy. Since 1989 he works with the Estonian National Olympic Committee in various positions.
In 1995–1996 Talts was member of the Estonian parliament Riigikogu. In 1998 he was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation hall of fame.