It was February, 2000 and it all took place in Gdynia in Tornado club. The prize pool of the NEMIROFF WORLD CUP now equals 31 400 USD. Then there were also money prizes! I do remember! It was exactly two hundred dollars. It has to be started with something.

Five women, twenty-five men and two representation of Poland and Ukraine took part. The Ukrainian Grigorij Bondaruk (on photo with Igor) turned to be unbeatable and won both his (-81 kg) weigh class and the prestigious open one. This inconspicuous, weighting merely 78kg Ukrainian player had no problems with any of the players.

Ukraine was represented by: Anton Sobko, Taras Mucha, Andrey Switlyk and above mentioned Bondaruk. Among the Poles started as follows: Sebastiana Klos, Daniel Reszka, Bartłomiej Babij, Mirosław Myszke, Ireneusz Weber.

Grygory Bondaruk – the Hero of the day still recall that tournament as the most important one in his life. For everyone connected with the beginning of the Polish Armwrestling, the visit of this armwrestler and the lessons he taught us were literally groundbreaking. As we got to know Grygory doesn’t take part in competition any more, he’s retired.

PeSzy