It’s no secret that the Russian Alexey Voevoda is the face of armwrestling. He began his career in 1999, when he won silver in the Russian Championships and qualified for the Russian National Team for the European and World Championships in 2000.

First, historical picture of Alexey Voevoda taken during the World Championships - Rovaniemi, Finland 2000.

Back then, nobody knew that the 20 year old Alexey will become a star of armwrestling. I took pictures of all masters during that championships, Among them Alexey. I wanted to commit to public memory those beautiful moments from the podium. Alexey’s technique was refined by the best armwrestling coach ever, Kote Razmadze, which led to him winning the World Championships in 2000 in right hand, 110 kg.

A Georgian living in Moscow – Kote Razmadze (picture taken in 2001). Coach of Alexey Voevoda and Denis Tsyplenkov.

After his success in the World Championships in Finland, Alexey Voevoda went on to compete in the Zloty Tur Cup (Gdynia, Gemini Center, 10^th March 2001). Even though he lost in the OPEN, he still managed to put up some memorable fights.

Left to right: Alexey Voevoda, Igor Mazurenko, Jan Germanus (Gdynia 2001 r.)

It was in Gdynia that we first learned the secrets of Alexey’s technique. Back then, Alexey was great in over the top. Below you’ll find the historical training (2001) footage found in our archives, showing his exercises. In keeping with the spirit of good old training days we’ve also added a few interesting exercises from European and World Champion, Alex Mundziszwili from Russia. These are his specialized sparring exercises.

Don’t laugh at the equipment used in these pictures, for it’s not the modern standard known to us nowadays. Like the one designed by Mazurenko Armwrestling Equipment, probably the sole manufacturer of armwrestling equipment in the whole world. No wrestler had equipment like that back then, not even Voevoda. One had to adapt regular gym equipment. Even today not everyone has access to special equipment, and yet new masters are still born. It’s practice that makes a master! So take notes on how to use everyday equipment for traininig!

SIDEWAYS PULLDOWNS USING PULLEY WITH REGULAR GRIP

Concentrate on fingers first, then engage forearms and chest. 4-6 sets, 6-8 reps.

SIDEWAYS PULLDOWNS, EXCLUDING WRIST

A necessary exercise for those with a wrist stronger than elbow fastenings and chest muscles. Remember to warm up with 20-25 reps. 4-5 sets, 4-10 reps.

HAMMER GRIP BICEP CURLS USING PULLEY AND LOOP

The best exercise to power up the muscle used in over the top. 4-6 sets, 6-10 reps.

WRIST PRONATIONS USING BELT AND PULLEY

This exercise causes a lot of trouble for people trying to perform it in regular gyms. Alexey showed us how to do it. It’s a very good exercise to power up muscle engaged in over the top. 3-5 sets, 6-12 reps.

HAMMER GRIP STATIC BICEP HOLDS

It was Voevoda that first showed me every armwrestler’s must-do exercise. The trainee keeps a static hold, while the sparring partner lifts the weight and lower it back, so that the impact hits the trainee’s hand. 2-3 sets, 4-6 reps.

WRIST LIFTS WITH BARBELL END.

Back then no one used thick grip dumbbells. The Olympic barbell end was a perfect tool for this exercise. Forearm is rested on the inside of thigh. 4-6 sets, 4-6 reps.

As you can see for yourself, a few years ago the Zloty Tur Club had only a professional armwrestling table, and to this day many gyms don’t have the specialized equipment for armwrestling techniques. Alexey’s workout techniques show us that there is always a way to work out, when you have imagination.

INTERESTING ARMWRESTLING EXERCISES

When I was in Moscow in 2001, I visited their Armwrestling Department at the Moscow physical culture university. That’s where I’ve met the European and World champion and a coach in one person – Alex Mundziszwili (a.k.a Lexo – on the left). Alex was incredible in promoting armwrestling, had very original ideas for sparring workouts. The university didn’t have enough money for equipment, so Alex’s creative methods caught on immediately among other students. Notice that Alex is a typical over the top fighter, but he hasn’t forgotten hook either.

PULLDOWNS USING A SPARRING PARTNER

Pulldowns using biceps, forearm and chest muscles. The weaker the muscle, the harder one pulls the sparring partner using that muscle. 4-5 sets, 4-6 reps.

BICEP CURLS. ARM RESTED ON INSIDE OF THIGH

Alex concentrates hard on proper form, despite Spartan conditions. Even back then people knew that a curl should not be performed with hyperextended elbow.

Igor Mazurenko