TIAN TAO | The Most Exciting Weightlifter Ever

[@WeightliftingHouse]

This hits different now. So long, Tian, you changed the sport forever!

[@jacobpascool]

Love this. Other weightlifters may have larger caches but I think the reason Tian is so popular is his relatability. He doesn't just smash through everything like Shi Zhiyong, it looks like he has to fight through it. And that's what us non-professionals can relate to, the struggle, the failures, and the hardship that makes triumph so sweet.

[@koreaface]

It makes it so much more exciting. When the lift means a bomb out or a world record, it adds so much more tension

[@3pacz]

imagine if he stayed healthy and didnt move up in weight^^

[@yansonggao2484]

I'm a strength coach for the Chinese national swimming team and we trained and lived at the same base with the weightlifting team. On the day that everybody was leaving the base for Tokyo, I saw Tian loading equipments on a truck for his teammates. I asked for his signature and had a quick chat with him. I didn't really know what to say to comfort him cuz I just saw his retirement news a few days ago, so I was like "you'll do great on the national game and enjoy the rest". Tian responded with "thank you", but I still saw the disappointment from his eyes, it was truly heartbreaking.

[@PanditKris]

That's so sad, to be so talented and be left out ! China has too many good lifters so you guys can afford that.

[@omaririgoyen1234]

Tremendous experience man

[@yansonggao2484]

@@LarvaS-hj1eq lol leave your email here let me send you a pic

[@TAKEYOURCREATINE]

@@yansonggao2484 no response from him, lmao. Love when guys like that get called out

[@Zarozian]

@@PanditKris He should lift for America.

[@darkerisbetter8699]

This is how we get regular people excited about the sport.

[@sourikray1993]

Best comment

[@millermark445]

Those Chinese lifters are remarkable. Super-strong, beautifully built and superb technicians. Thanks again for a most entertaining video and perhaps the most erudite narration I've ever heard about weightlifting. I write this having been retired from OL competition for close to 50 years.

[@SquatJerkJournalist]

The greatest fisherman

[@zennappi]

That 236 clean is my favorite lift of all time. Such a ease..

[@maxm3757]

If Lu does retire, we NEED a full documentary about his career, his rivalries, each of his competitions and the ups and downs along the way

[@DamienYuen7718]

Ask the CCP for permission. ; )

[@Citizen2047]

@@DamienYuen7718 don't need that tho.

[@fusong1111]

@@DamienYuen7718 CCP is bad but they don't really care about medias making documentaries about their athletes, pop stars

[@-wealuka7367]

@@DamienYuen7718 I wonder why there will always be some dickhead that will try to bring politics when everyone else are just enjoying the sport and admiring the top athletes. Jealousy? Maybe.

[@丁戈-s3m]

Actually there are plenty of them. And tons of interviews too. But they are all in Chinese. Btw, Tian, Chen （Olympic record holder Chen Lijun）and Lu‘s coach is the same, who is called Yu Jie, a very considerate and talented coach from the Pla.

[@Asterog3624]

Very well written and well presented video Seb, it was a true joy to watch!

[@WeightliftingHouse]

Appreciate it, Asterog!

[@ysong00]

The fact that Tian not getting selected to Tokyo still hurts more than many of my own personal failures is a testament to his impact in the WL community. Can’t wait to see him again. Olympics only 2.5 yrs away!

[@sikastrength]

Heart Attack? More Heart Throb.. ❤

[@ldma1119]

His handsome face hasn't changed in 10 years🏋🏻

[@evilflowx]

Tian has been a contender in some of the most legendary weightlifting battles of the 2000s. That alone makes him great.

[@isaiahstackleather3614]

Ya know I gotta agree with the folks who said there was some emotion in this narrating. This video was dope and I think gave me a perspective on and empathy for Tian Tao I haven't had previously. Well done!

[@xuandu6563]

Very good video. Thank you Seb! I got a little emotional watching this. You are a very good narrator, calm yet full of emotions.

[@bernardjameswilson]

He was already putting up numbers close to Lu at a young age. I guess that injury really prevented him from reaching his peak. We really missed out on something special.

[@buttlesschap]

Despite all he has achieved, it probably still haunts him

[@bernardjameswilson]

@@buttlesschap true that

[@johnzhao4641]

I think we gained someone special; if he wasn't injured he'd just be another weightlifter without any story, so he is truly special because of it.

[@charleslim6514]

seb i really love this video im watching it for a 2nd time already

[@ws2013]

Hi Seb, great video on Tao's story! Can you make a video about Deng Wei? In terms of dominance, she's really the female Shi Zhiyong of her category. In terms of medals and honors, she's only behind Lu in the Chinese team. She doesn't get as much attention but she's clearly one of the GOATs! I really hope she gets the recognition she deserves!

[@travelingmusician3135]

Maybe not another episode of a lifter, but maybe on a club. The history of calstrength and it's main athletes/coaches. Glenn pendlay, max aita, David Spitz, Jon north, Donny Shankle and such

[@FearWarboar4135]

Actually this is an awesome idea. I have a friend who’s just getting into the sport and I have been sending him all of WH history of weightlifters like the Greek team, stuff on the Bulgarians, this video on Tian Tao , stuff on Naim etc. cal strength would be a great start

[@IgnatiusCheese]

Yes

[@toximan2008]

Seb, a video on Donny PLS

[@indobesar]

This is an amazing video. What a story! Goosebumps all over!

[@ws2013]

Tao's unretirement is no joke! He just officially announced on his ins account and bilibili live stream that he'll return to the national team this month and compete as an 89kg!!!

[@inky4690]

incredible short documentary. No other content quite like yours for weightlifting right now

[@drumsonly213]

That was incredible. Your narration and descriptions are that of a top level, seasoned sports journalist. Thank you for the video (and the sweet merch)

[@richardrae5049]

Amazing person, an inspiration in all areas of human endeavour.

[@jarycooper5192]

first attempt miss, second attempt miss, last chance - the first place. so big heart, and so faith

[@aquisolosesubentareas3103]

This Is a very entertaining format Seb, thanks a Lot!

[@jiafarui]

i dont even lift but your narration is so compelling that i love it

[@burningknuckle26]

Tian Tao is the truth😎

[@jameshung9262]

Definitely my favorite cleaner in the world, many thanks for the video!

[@zeffreynikollaj4003]

Great video, was really hoping for a poster for this documentary as well. A 236 clean poster would be epic

[@conormchale4720]

Loving these documentary style videos.

[@Scott-zh5ip]

More of these!

[@shantanubharvirkar7759]

NEED MORE VIDS LIKE THIS SEB

[@LukeJitsu]

These are gold man

[@ankitbrother]

Wonderfully done video

[@yikelu]

What a LEGEND with that troll 232

[@AnthonyGarcia-sy3yk]

Favorite clean technique ever,,, why you didn't split jerk tian God Damm it lol..

[@chen8934]

Coming back to this video after the guy told the audience he's so sad he couldn't come to Paris. "Always wondering how smelling salts smell? ... I no longer have the change to try. But I may try it when I go fishing at midnight 🤔...”

[@chen8934]

*chance*, forgive my bad English.

[@thehaloguy117]

2nd time commenting on this but WE LOVE YOU TIAN! Never give up!

[@GarRoot]

85kg Tian's training lifts are legendary

[@larsottesen6354]

Really hope to se him on the stage again!

[@vincentd8734]

Great video essay Seb amazing quality

[@dex1289]

Tian Tao got almost the strongest leg in his category

[@polgzz]

Brilliant video and narration 👌. True joy watching your channel

[@fusong1111]

C&J 205KG in 77kg bodyweigh at 18 years old is just insane

[@justinliu7357]

Tian is my spirit animal

[@dailynotinteresting4325]

I didn't know I needed Summoning Salt videos for weightlifting, but yeah, let's go

[@nolanhauck9390]

Major respect to moradi for taking 237 after he already won

[@guantingliu1667]

and towards the end of the video, I finally understood the difference between a power-jerk athlete and a squat-jerk athlete. So Lu Xiaojun is squat-jerk and Tian Tao is power-jerk, is that right?

[@hx5985]

Thanks for the vids, 3rd time watching

[@koreaface]

Bro, I want tian to do 236 at the next Olympics.

[@SuperSilver316]

Here after broke the 89 kg world record in the clean!

[@damonmurin]

We miss Tian Tao.. But he is Return to 2024 Olympic

[@chrisgeorge84]

This is amazing. Great job. Had me on the edge of my seat. 5:04

[@jsuewrs135]

That was awesome mate! Well done

[@thebarbellboi]

beautiful narration seb!!

[@nolanhauck9390]

Love the double dip on the 226

[@Ckjohn77kg]

I love you documentaries, keep it up!

[@maximt1401]

This was BRiLLiANT !!!!

[@henryhill1604]

Hi Seb, great video! Also, what are the background tracks playing? Anywhere we can find?

[@sidney-on-yt]

Great video of one of my favorite lifters!

[@thomasbrown7328]

2:32…. How on earth did he clean that?! The first pull was so slow and the 2nd pull is so minimalist. Fascinating, magical almost

[@cadeeconahey6561]

This video is so well made

[@sauravshahi5339]

Great little doc!

[@jonnym610]

Need that tian Tao poster

[@kamo7293]

born in... 94? this man is a year younger than me? oh god

[@HM-qe9pd]

Easily one of my favourite lifter. Jacked panda

[@neptunexii8927]

I think if Tian had been allowed to lift in the 81s he could have beat LU

[@davipadilha225]

yeah, had he made the 211 kg C&J in that nationals he would beat him. I hope he get back next year and his "retirement" is just a vacation from lifting.

[@keion_arknights]

Eh, his snatch far behind his cnj even now. Even if he did hit 211, doesn't secure him the gold if his snatch is 50 kilos behind

[@FearWarboar4135]

@@keion_arknights his snatch is far behind bc his c&j is far ahead. He snatched 181 in comp @96 that is not far behind anybody. The only one who did more than that was moradi 186.

[@_rcs]

Awesome video. Loved it.

[@G3Number]

Thanks again!

[@turqayo]

tian and lü very good duo

[@pv4240a]

fantastic video

[@projectgowther2562]

Amazing video! 👍

[@resolveseed6913]

Very interesting video. I don't practice this sport but it entertained me until the end.

[@watashiwahatchi]

Great vid! New to this channel, subscribed

[@ultraL2]

beautiful video.

[@trevorkimm5272]

Very well done Seb

[@3morbid]

Powerful Clean..Clean teqnique is the best!!!!

[@iwantlee9510]

The only thing that has made me watch olympic lifting was Tian and Lu. I don’t even like China, but I still cheered for them.

[@hugobadillo2799]

270 kg squat is incredible

[@plutoburn]

Feels like he got the short end of the stick due to the olympic weight category. His frame, and especially his wrist/hands is too small for the 96kg category. He could have been more dominant in the 85kg category if it still exist.

[@14lamnc1]

GREAT video

[@thehaloguy117]

“I’ll do it at the next olympics” I hope you will brother

[@Outland9000]

Just to be clear we are not talking about _literal_ heart attacks here. I watched this with a couple of friends who dont follow weightlifting as much as I do and they were concerned Tian had an actual heart attack. 😲 😆

[@benbishop7512]

Really hope he is genuinely considering staying in the sport.

[@tomasscullion6011]

Great video 👍👍

[@rodrigobriceno5308]

Only one thing to say: !!! thank you!!!!!, I really get into, its amazing, we all love thic tao

[@bombolisboys5287]

When will the next competition be? I really want to watch it and not miss it

[@kempret]

Can we have more coverage for the female lifters, like this video :) especially from china team

[@BO2Letsplay]

Great video Seb, could you maybe link the music used in the background throughout? Cheers

[@davidtatro7457]

Just imagine if Tian had not suffered those nagging elbow and shoulder injuries. I think he would have set records that athletes would still be chasing decades from now. As it is, even at the end and despite everything, l think he could possibly have cleaned as much as 240 to 250 kg and made it look easy. Not that he could have made the jerks, but he could have made cleans that were equal to elite atheletes nearly twice his body weight. And l am not sure that anyone else in the history of the sport has come even close to that potential.

[@Fredbernier14]

Pure awesomeness

[@matthewfletcher7710]

Does anyone know the track that starts @2:16?

[@sagarpant1392]

Karl Casey - Last Stop kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6TMYqtreZ51js0

[@ryanoconnell6617]

You kilt it on this one Seb

[@rat6554]

Dudes a anime protagonist

[@bradlasnames2853]

“A walking juxtaposition” -well said Seb.

[@pooblock4092]

definitely the best cleaner in the world

[@davidbarnhouse4642]

3:15 was actually Asian Games

[@TheYeti_97]

Can't wait for Paris 2024 !

[@SUPERFLUID88]

270 kg squat at 10 reps? That’s insane

[@nyquist_control]

i couldnt do that even on juice