Let's go to Vegas

Report by SAZALI ABDUL AZIZ
msazali@sph.com.sg

He’s roped in possibly the best coach in the world, and now David Devito is on the hunt for people who dare to dream.
Singapore’s top kettlebeller is on a mission to assemble the first Singapore team to participate in the kettlebell World Cup this September in Las Vegas.
The 49-year-old fitness instructor told The New Paper recently he is convinced there is enough talent and interest in the fast-growing sport in the Lion City for a team to hold its own on the global stage.
He plans to lead a Singapore team of at least five participants at the World Cup.
There are at least 90 certified kettlebell trainers in Singapore, and Devito said: “A lot of people train on their own at home for self-improvement. I hope they step forward.”
Devito has already engaged the services of Russian coach Sergey Rudnev, from the International Kettlebell Sport and Fitness Academy (Iksfa), to coach the Singapore team.
“No one has produced more world champions than him,” said Devito.
“Can you imagine Sir Alex Ferguson coming over to Singapore and coaching the Singapore (football) team?
“Don’t you think he would make a difference?
“Sergey can turn anybody into a champion.”
Rudnev, a five-time world kettlebell champion himself, has coached eight world champions including Eugene Lopatin, five-time winner Aleksandr Kostov and US lifter Lorna Kleidman.
The 46-year-old agreed to take up the offer to coach Singapore after seeing the sport grow in popularity here over the past three years.
He was also impressed by Devito’s emergence as one of Asia’s top kettlebellers.
Devito is the first Asian kettlebell lifter to attain the rank of Candidate Master of Sport twice across two events, the 24kg and 32kg.
“Success with Singapore (on the global stage) is possible,” said Rudnev, who holds the highest rank in kettlebell, the Honoured Master of Sport.
“I’ve watched the potential of Singapore’s kettlebellers, and I can see a lot of enthusiasm.
“Plus, we have a good place for (team) members to train and a good leader in David.”
Training sessions will be held at Devito’s gym at The Fitness Protocol in Mountbatten.

Based in Russia, Rudnev will work with the team online, observing videos of workouts and tailoring specialised training programmes for each individual, similar to how he coached Devito in the past.
Devito believes the duration of four months is enough for Rudnev to transform willing participants into lean, mean, kettlebell-lifting machines.
But even with Rudnev on board, there is still a stumbling block before Devito’s dream can become reality - funding.
While local health and fitness giants Aibi will contribute some money for the Las Vegas trip, Devito estimates they would require $30,000.
“I’m not sure of the figure, yet, and I’m not sure if it will fully cover the air tickets and accommodation.
“We are looking for sponsors because every little bit would help a lot.”

Those interested in joining Devito’s team can call 91313143 or email devitoprinciple@gmail.com.

WHAT IS KETTLEBELL
The kettlebell, a cast-iron weight shaped like a cannonball, has been catching on as a weight-training tool in Singapore in recent years.
Local football stars like Baihakki Khaizan and Hassan Sunny are some of the professional athletes who use the weight as part of their personal training.
In competitive kettlebell lifting, participants have 10 minutes to make the maximum number of lifts with the weight, the heaviest of which is 32kg.
Completing a set number of repetitions will gain you a rank, the highest being Honoured Master of Sport.