ARMFIGHT - 39 Vendetta
Bulgaria - Saint Vlas
20 August 2011

Name: Marin Georgiev Pantaleev (also known as "Bay Marin")
Date of Birth:  18.08.1975
Weight:  110 kg
Height:  187 cm
Biceps:  45 cm
Forearm:  40 cm
Fighting Style:  All, but mostly "hook"
Place of residence:  I live in Sofia.
Education:  I have a high-school with special profile education.
Marital status:  I am single, with a child.
Hobbies:  Except Armwrestling, I like hunting, fishing, weightlifting and rowing (before long time ago).
Since when have you practiced Armwrestling: practice Armrestling since  6 ½ years.
The greatest achievements:

My biggest achievements are 2nd place from European Championship and
3rd place also from European Championship.

How did it happen and when did you start practicing Armwrestling? Why this and not some other sports discipline? 

I have trained rowing 12 years, in school I have won over all my opponents, also over the people in the rowing base. We have played also Armwrestling, where I was able to fight everyone. I had a feeling of great strength and especially, endurance. Namely because of my endurance – I’ve decided to begin Armwrestling.

How did you start? How did you learn to fight at the table? Who was your trainer??

I’ve learnt that there was an Armwrestling club, opened soon in the Bulgarian capital Sofia. I’ve decided to sign in myself in this club. I’ve learnt from other, more advanced, teammates, and most of all - of the older players of the team. Coach was Hristo Delidjakov.

Did you train any other sport before? If so, did you have any success and does it help you now in armwrestling?

I have trained rowing, where I had success, I’ve reached national vice-champion titles. Experience and lessons, learnt from the rowing, of course, help me also in the Armrestling.

What win can you regard the greatest achievement? Why?

Strive towards a world title and left, and right hand. That satisfied me both physically and spiritually - the feeling of victory, excitement, pride when his ladder.

Which achievement cost you the most effort?

A Balkan championship in Romania ’2008, also the European Championship in Sofia ‘2009.

How many times per week do you exercise? Tell us a little how your training looks like?

I train once a week. Mostly biceps, forearm and crunches, rarely - cross.

How do you plan your starts season in armwrestling? Do you follow the preparatory periods, and how do you divide the season to macro and micro training cycles?

Now I have given myself a rest, 3-4 months before the World Armwrestling Championship (1-8 December 2011 in Almaty, Kazakhstan). And when the time comes, like any athlete – I will prepare and will aim to get the World title.

Who is your sparring partner?

My sparring partners are all, that are in the training-hall, especially Hristo Delidjakov, Todor Genov, Stefan Lengarov, Kaloyan Tumbev and others (including even some of the younger and lighter players).

What is your best weapon in Armwrestling?

My best weapon in Armrestlinga are my endurance and my will to win.

In what element are you the weakest, what else do you need to improve?

My biggest weakness is in the element of the biceps, but I try to preserve exactly this to be decisive for the event, in which I fight.

Is any of armwrestlers a model for you? Who is he and why?

Models for me are mostly older competitors, because they can still fight strongly and are better. I bow to every well-routined athlete.

Here are some examples: John Brezenk, Cvetan Gashevski, Andrey Pushkar, Babaevi brothers, Tsindiliani.

How does your popularity look like, how are you recognizable?

About my popularity in Armwrestling – I really have it. I am well recognizable.

Do you get any tangible benefits from the sport? Do you feel a full professional?

Major benefits of sport naturally I receive. I think I’m not complete Armrestling professional, as I do other things – trade (it’s my main profession), vegetables, leasing-farming and so on. However, I strive to get better professionalism in Armwrestling too.

Do you feel better in the fight on left or right hand? Do you have any serious deficiencies in your hands?

On the issue of arms and their left-right comparison: in general we know, that most people are right-handed, but I'm left-handed. I look to saddle both hands equally, but I'm better with the left hand, I count on it. Sometimes, in order for better tehnic, I hope to play well on right hand too.

What are your hobbies, favourite books, music, drinks, cars?

I love adventure literature, scientific and popular TV shows such as Discovery, National Geographic and others. About cars – I am modest do not prefer too fast cars, but practical and functional – yes.

Tell us about your private life. How do you spend time after workouts? Where do you live, with whom (if I may ask you).

Privacy and free time after my workout I spend with my wife and my child, dealing with vegetables. We live in a beautiful quarter of Sofia.

You have already been really successful. What are you planning for the next season?

For next season Armrestling I will try to get better achievements.

When you finish your sports career (I wish you both long and successful) what will you want to take up then?

I wish in future to deal with land and land-leasing.

Who do you train now with, who do you consult about training, diet, supplementation?

I train with my teammates, with them I advise about diet, supplements and so on.

Let’s now move to an Armfight duel. What do you think of six-round duels? Is it a good form of competition, is there any difference in fighting, should you use a different tactic?

Armfight system is a really good formula for armwrestling. I bet most of his endurance, but depends on my opponent.

What will fighting in Armfight give you?

Armfight really gives me everything.

Is this your first duel in Armfight and did you prepare in any special way?

This is not my first Armfight (with Radu Georgescu Romania on 20.08.2011 in Sveti Vlas), I have not prepared specifically, but I train hard.

What do you think of your rival? Have you ever fought with him? Are you afraid of him? Have you already had established tactic for him? Are you afraid of his advantages? What kind of?

Radu my opponent "Valahu" Georgescu is quite good right hand, while I - the left. I hope if I fail, the result is at least 3:3 in the worst case for me.

Who do you think is the leader in this weight category and would you be able to beat him in six-rounds duel?

Radu Valahu example, is certainly one of the leaders in our category (over 95 kg). I actually beat him to the left and right hand grade, but in this case just right - not known.

After this Armfight, who would like to challenge for another duel? Why?

If I am fit, I would like my next Armfight be with Vyacheslav Muriev.

Why do audience should watch your fight?

I am a supporter of the idea of ​​promoting Armwrestling. Since it is something really fresh and non-monotonous - it is a wonderful sport!