Conversation with Arsen Liliev before Nemiroff World Cup 2010

Arsen, tell us something  about your preparations to coming Professionals’ World Cup - Nemiroff World Cup 2010  in Sopot. For how long have you been preparing and what kind of exercises do you do?

I started training before the Cup in the half of August. I needed to rest after the European Championships  and now about 1 month left for the regeneration and  about 1,5 month to prepare for the Cup. My training plan is as usual. After the time of rehabilitation I will start to work with the maximum load wrestling only once for 10days. The main point of my preparations is to increase my strength. Then the time for technique and tactic will come.

How many times a week do you train at the gym and how often do you practice armwrestling?

If I am not preparing for the tournaments, I practice 3 times a week with a medium load. While the main preparations I work with much heavier load in some series. I wrestle at the table each 7-10days.

How much do you weight?

I weight about 90kg but I’m planning to increase my weight about 8-9kg before the Nemiroff World Cup.

Rustam Babayev Said that he would love to meet you in Poland. What do you think of your chances?

For the last years Rustam and I are recognized as one of the strongest sportsmen of our weight. Various circumstances did not let us define who is better. On one hand Rustam is not in the best form and is not so young.

On the other hand his technique is really good and his really experienced. I think I may beat him from the top. In my  opinion he has 40% chances to win and I about 60%. Anyway the table will show who is better.

If you meet Johna Brzenk, do you think your fights will look different that they  looked in  Istanbul where you had last met? If yes, what would be the difference?  

I think John will chose a different tactic. In Turkey he took me from the top so this time he may try a hook. He is a legend and you can never guess how he would fight. He may think of something new any time.

Which of the opponents you regard the most difficult for Nemiroff World Cup?

For me the Top 3 are(-95):

1. John Brzenk

2. Lubomir Jagnesak

3. Ruslan Babayev

Top 3 (Open)

1. Denis Cyplenkov

2. John Brzenk

3. Andrey Pushkar

What do you think of your armwrestling success? You also have genetic predispositions, are they the key to your success?

Many things compose the success. The most important one is patient. Each day you have to increase your form and train. You have to deal with pain, when you get injured, you cannot complain, you must go to the gym and practice. You need to feel and get to know your body and be aware when you can train with the maximum load and when you need to rest. You should have well balanced trainings and professional attitude. However luck is also really important.

Arsen, thank you very much for your ans wers and we wish you good luck at preparations.

source: www.worldofarmwrestling.com