In the photo we can see only a part of the Turkish team who came to Euro Arm 2012 in Gdansk. The team of a great number of medal favourites. Of course: Engin Terzi, Ferit Osmanli, Sechat Arslan, Dursun Onder and many, many others. The Turks brought in all 67 players plus some trainers. The look really elegant in those while tracksuits. In the foreground – beautiful girls.

I asked where does the strength of Turkish Armwrestling come from? Niyazi Kurt, the President of the Turkish Federation, a former player (we of course know his name), teacher and trainer answered it.

In Turkey Armwrestling is quite popular among people, usual people. It’s much worse with the media. The size of our team results from our attitude to propagation of the sport. Schools, youth, even ten year olds. We organize school tournaments to select potential champions as soon as possible. If one starts at the age of 17-18 it’s little late. The sooner, the better. We organize courses for trainers, we transfer each other - trainers knowledge, we help each other. It’s uur “idea for Armwrestling” – said Niyazi Kurt.

The President of the Turkish Federation arose one more matter, the matter of the doping control. There is no such a problem in Turkey, at least not at international tournaments. Due to Prime Minister’s regulation – each Turkish representative, of every sport is obligated to the pass doping control before leaving the country.

A day before the beginning of the fights in the hall of the AWFiS in Gdańsku the Turkish team looks happy and confident. On Saturday, it going to be known what medals they’d take home.

PeSzy