The 20th August 2011. This date will for sure be engraved the annals of Polish armwresting in thick syllables. That day in Bulgaria in the village of Saint Vlas a Polish player - Tomasz Szewczyk (an interview with him you can read HERE) will meet in a professional, six-rounds fight with one of the most recognizable armwrestler in the world - Stefan Lengarov. Tomek, as he admits: "I know that I'm not a favorite, but it is a great chance, which I intend to take! I know Stefan’s strengths and weaknesses, I saw his fights, I will do my best!" Each of us will keep our fingers crossed for Tom and we hope that he will surprise the Bulgarian favourite.
Who is Stefan Lengarov?
Born on 10th September 1988. He spent his childhood in the village Menekyovo in Bulgaria. Both he and his brother are very strongly associated with armwrestling. It must also be added that his armwrestling career began very early, but then quite unwittingly - as an amateur. It became more serious in the times of high school, when he and his colleagues organized armwrestling tournaments at school benches during breaks between lessons (and sometimes even during classes). It was clear that Stefan has incredible predispositions. Then he decided to take up armwrestling professionally. With one of his friends - Blaje Blajev he joined the Bulgarian club "Armwrestling Vitosha" and even then, being only 17 years old he beat many older players.
" I learned the most about armwrestling from Hristo Delidjakov, who is still a kind of my personal trainer" – said Stefan about the beginnings of armwrestling.
His first, significant world medal he won in 2007. Today the Bulgarian athlete has won titles of the World and European vice-champion for four times, and many other titles on national and international level. And why not the World Championships? There were always others, just like him, grandmasters of the sport, getting in his way to the golden medal. As Lengarov says: "My biggest opponents are Rustam Babaev and Artyom Taynov from Ukraine. They are the ones I was losing fights for gold medals at World and European championships".
I model on the best!
When asked whether he has idols, he answers: "There is always someone to who you would like to pattern on, when you have not reached all yet - only when you feel fulfilled. I myself give the first place to John Brzenk from the U.S.A. He is the" face” of the world armwrestling. Undefeated for over 20 years, and his performances have always inspired and motivated me and others to harder work"
The second person, about whom Stefan talked was his Bulgarian colleague - Cvetan Gashevski. Although Cvetan officially ended his sports career, anyway, as Lengarov says himself "About Gashevskim you can say that he is the teacher of all Bulgarian athletes. He is the first Bulgarian athlete, who was the World Champion. Therefore, as well in Bulgaria, as in the corridors of world armwrestling he is called by all the Professor"
39 Vendetta - Saint Vlas, Bulgaria 2011
For four years in a row, Stefan Lengarov won medals of European and World Championships. So the time to show what he can do as a professional came. The 20th August 2011 in Saint Vlas, as the host he will fight for the right hand in a six-rounds duel of the international PAL organization in up to 86kg class. His opponent is a talented, well-known Polish armwrestler - Tomasz Szewczyk.
"I fought once with Stefan Lengarov at the European Championships in Norway. He beat me withe the top attack and I know that this is his strong point. However I'll try to focus on technicque that will allow me to enter into a battle with him. I know that my opponent has a weaker right hand. Whereas I am definitely better on the right hand"
For an answer to the question: who is better?, unfortunately we will have to wait until 20th August. Then we will be able to see the armwrestling fight of these two powers: Stefan Lengarov from Bulgaria and Tomasz Szewczyk from Poland.
Who will come out victorious from this fight?
You will be able to find it out while keep visiting Armpower.net and the fight, which will be broadcasted through our site. "One thing is certain, it will not be an ordinary fight, but the a great battle! So be with us.
Daniel Orłowski
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