I’ll start with a question – when did the idea of an alternative Armwrestling Federation in Moscow, as the Association created by M. M. Machmudow has already been working?

Andriej Pietrow: Both Moscow and Russian Association Armwrestling was created by one man - Igor Achmiedszyn. In time, he was the one who recommended Machmudow to take the function of the President of the Moscow Association. After some time, the management of the Russian Association changed and its managed by Aleksander Filimonov.

At one point we’ve noticed that the Moscow Association doesn’t develop properly, doesn’t cooperate with the Russian Association. Tournaments were nor derived in a proper way. They took place unpunctually. They were not coordinated with the calendar of the Russian Association Armwrestling. So the time to change something came and we’ve decided to originate an alternative federation of the city of Moscow, as the level of our sport in the capital significantly decreased. The federation was created a few years ago and in 2012 we were accredited by the city authorities in the Moscow Sports Committee.

So as I understand there are two federations in Moscow now?

No! There’s just one Federation. We’ve been waiting for our place long enough. We couldn’t do that because of some legal issues. Two federation taking care of the same sports discipline in one city. It couldn’t have worked. But at the moment we are the only accredited organization in Moscow – Federation Armsport on the city of Moscow.

And you’re the President. So please accept congratulations. And please tell us, why you? 

It’s a good question. There’s been no other man who could lead the Federation. We’ve already burnt our fingers and I wouldn’t like it to happen again. But it anyone who can be trusted appears, who will be working and devoting their time I’ll be glad to give up my place.

So what are perspectives of the development of the Armwrestling in Moscow?

There are many of them and these are not only big words. You can already see some real effects on our work. We’ve managed to organize many tournaments and we’re still planning new ones. But it’s not the most important thing. We’ve got many tasks to do in Moscow. First of all, in 2-3 years’ time the representation of Moscow should be the first in team classification at the Russian Championships. The second task is to develop Armwrestling in Moscow to make it mass, common sport. As of yet there is one big sports Armwrestling club in Moscow “Olimpik”, created and led by A. Agadżanjan. There are also other ones, but rather few of them. Our aim is to unite them under the aegis of the Federation of the city of Moscow to make selection of the city representatives possible. So we’d like to invite everyone dealing with our sport to cooperate.

As we’re talking of the clubs, why there’s still no Armwrestling school in Moscow?

It’s a good question. We’ve been keeping it secret, but it’s time to reveal it. I guess our one of the biggest achievements is that this year, in September the Base for Armwrestler will have worked in Moscow. It’ll be originated on the basis of the Sports Club of the Russian FR Army. We’ll be having 200 square meters for Armwrestling with the fully professional Armwrestling equipment.

A contract with a certified equipment producer - MAZURENKO ARMWRESTLING PROMOTION, which boss in Igor Mazurenko, has already been signed.

Not long ago in Sankt Petersburg a conference, where we were represented by Aleksander Bulenkow took place. At the conference the Military Sports Club asked to have one Armwrestling table for each company. So we’ve managed to make the first step. A staff trained in Moscow will be training soldiers of the whole Russia.

That’s a great new! So every armwrestler can come to the Moscow base to train in September?

That’s right. There will be days pointed out for everyone. Everyone will be able to train in our hall. We plan to select the Moscow team for weakly open trainings.

Who will be the trainers?

The leading ones will be Artur Mamamdżanowicz Agadżanjan and Igor Giennadiewicz Achmiedszyn. They will be working with seniors and juniors. We don’t know yet who will be working with the disabled. But it’s clear we stan still but move on. We’ll for sure built a strong, friendly and undefeated representation of Moscow. The team that will be wining only first places at the Russian Championships.

Thank you for this interview and I wish you a lot of success.

Interviewed: Julia Hozjainowa
Photos: Anastazja Owczinnikowa
Translation form Russian: PeSzy