The third and fourth days of the 31st World Championships – Italy 2009 was devored to the seniors rivalry. Polish Armwrestling Team was represented by 16 seniors during the competition on 11th (left hand) and 12th (right hand) of September . We – the Polish supporters were impatiently waiting for their starts.

Disabled competitor – Maciej Gralak from Bydgoszcz was the first at the armwrestling table, who decided to start at senior  up to 60kg category in the nick of time. Here he had 20 competitors. In the final classification Maciek was 13^th (left hand) and 12^th (right hand).

The next category where our fellow-citizens were fighting was up to 70kg category. Here we could see out to representatives from Nisk: Krzysztof Penc oraz Dawid Groch. Their final results we can include to the successful ones as there were 33 left handed and 35 right handed competitors. Although they did not managed to be at the medal zone their places in the first ten are pretty good results (Krzysiek was 8^th for left hand and Dawid 10^th, whereas foe right hand Krzysiek was 6^th).

Dawid’s elder brother – Dariusz Groch from Nisk had a good start in the next – up to 75kg category. He was 10^th in the rivalry for left hand and for right hand he was 15^th (for 36 competitors).

At the last minute Michał Ożga from Strzegom signed in the team in up to 80kg category. He was starting only in left hand rivalry and came 34^th. Michal has to make up for quite a lot to be able to come in the first ten among the world lead.

In the next men category – up to 85kg we had two representatives: Wiesław Rzanny from Wolsztyn and Krzysztof Krajczyński from Warsaw. Wieslaw finished the left hand rivalry on 18^th place and right hand (for 32 starting competitors) on 19^th place. Whereas Krzysztof was 11^th in the final classification. As he said himself before the rivalry: “…when the competition is so big as during the World Championship in Italy if I am in the first 15 I will go to Czestochowa on my knees”. So Krzychu – happy motoring!

The following men category where we could see Polish competitors was up to 90kg. Unexpectedly, Piotr Szczerba from Koniecpol did not fit in the category (initially his starting weight was supposed to be up to 85kg) but consequently. Piortek was 14^th for left hand and 18^th for right hand. The second Polish representative of the category was Marcin Laskowski, who currently lives in Norway. Marcin was 8^th for left hand among the world lead and 26^th for right hand (for 40 competitors). Given the fact that Marcin has no sparring partner in Norway and as he has “…I don’t have any exercising machines at my place just gum, table and wood” his result is really great! I am even afraid to think what the contestant can achieve while having a good training at the gym.

We are all waiting impatiently for the starts of our silver medalist of European Championships – Bulgaria 2009 and the winner of the World Professionals Cup - Nemiroff World Cup 2008 – Lucjana Fudały from Jaworzno. There were 39 armwrestlers in the up to 100kg category. So it was quite taught. On the other hand no one said that it would be easy. In the left hand rivalry Lucjan was 13^th unexpectedly, whereas for right hand – 5^th.

The followingcategory was men 110kg. Here Jerzy Kwiatkowski from Zakopane was a debutant. From the very beginning when he came to Italy we could see that Jurek is very stressed by the world rivalry. There is no point in being surprised that the first starts in such a large tournaments can scare everyone. Unfortunately Jurek cannot include the first day to the successful ones. In the final classification  he was 29^th. However on the second day the competitor from Zakopane improved his result significantly in right hand rivalry. In the final classification he was 19^th (for 33 competitors).  There is no need to hide that Jurek needs to treat his start at World Championships in Italy as the cruel lesson.  Lesson that had almost all the leading Polish armwrestlers. Taking into consideration Jurek’s strength, potential and the fact that he often takes lessons at the experienced teacher (he often visits Slovakian champion’s (Lubomir Jagesak) gym I may say that he will soon show the whole world what he really can. And believe me, he really can achieve a great deal.