On 9th-10th March 2012 in Moscow Marital Arts Center the Russian Armwrestling Championships took place. The competitions were unique not only due to the participants, unexpected results and classification of the players for both arms results. They were also unique because the organizers decided to test a system which will be applied to the fight at the A1 Russian OPEN Armwrestling Grand Prix.

And so it was: after finishing the fights on Saturday, it was possible to apply for an additional tournament in the open class. About the way the rivalry took place I have written in one of the previous news. Now, let’s focus on the situation when only the “Great Four” left: Denis, Arsen, Andrej and Khazimurat.

I wasn’t the four for bridge! 

As you’ve probably already known Arsen Liliev was the winner among this exclusive fellowship. What could it have been, if it had not been different? Let’s quote Arscen’s phone account.

He has surprised a reporter at once saying that… Denis Cyplenkov is extremely strong, even now, Denis is stronger than him! That was not a false coquetry of the Champion. Arsen said so, to make us realize what was the influence of the lining up of these four competitors for the final result of the clash.

“The Great Four” was impressive itself. In the first fight Denis met Andriej. He won, after a tough fight, losing a lot of his strength. Whereas Liliev met Zoloev and did not got really tired. What would it have been if it had been different? Would Arsen be able to beat fresher Denis? Or if he had won, would he have been able to fight with Pushkar? There are quite a lot question marks here. So let’s get to the facts.

Arsen about the fight with Denis.

“I did not decide who I would fight with. If there had been a different lining up, it would have been different. My fight was hard, very hard, it was really tough to win.

You’ve seen yourself, in the first round I attacked in a flash and that’s how it was 1:0 for me. Denis went to the corner, to his trainers, and they were the ones to suggest him to get to disruption. Strap fight with a guy who has such a hand, is much difficult for me. He, after a tough fight, in the middle of the table went towards triceps. I have a smaller hand that Denis’s one, and shorter fingers than he has. And he was the one to win. It was 1:1. The third round, and Denis disrupted again. But I’ve managed him, I won through the side pressure attack. 2:1 for me! But I had to keep fighting for the third win. So „I have already been meeting the goose, I’ve already entered the garden”, but… Well! The fourth round was for him and I really felt to have my back on the wall. What was it like? Denis cunningly repeated what he did in the second round.

The final decisive clash. I felt under pressure, and honestly, I was afraid I can lose. Fans were uptight to the limit, just like us. The half of the audience was for me, the half for my opponent. The atmosphere- like on a football match. Denis was fighting at his place. I was from Samara district, it’s rather far way…

We approached the table. Either I win or lose!- I thought. So it started, and disruption. But this time, I did not give Denis any chances to repeat the triceps attack. With a strong push on me I stabilized the fight in the middle of the table and got the control over the whole situation, trying to extend the opponent’s fingers. And I made it! When I’ve won, I looked around at the audience, I realized that many of the fans are clapping the hands, that they are doing that for me, the congratulate me on winning. What a great feeling!

Best wishes to all my fans! See you at the next tournament.”

We thank Arsen for  describing the duel and we suggest the fans to see the fight once more, in order to learn.

PeSzy