Once upon a time ...

Sorry for the digression, dear readers. I’ve realized that I’ve been living so long that I had the honour to be a witness of the wrestling art pearls presented by the Polish "classics": Kazimierz and Józef Lipien. Kazimierz was the bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in 1972, and a gold medalist in 1976. They were twins, nobody could distinguish them, and that caused a number of anecdotal situations.

Being in one weight category they managed to "set" a meeting in the final. Later, if something didn’t go the way one of them intended, they could even arrange the "overtime competition" in the locker room. When competing in separate categories only one of them go to weight room, the other one quietly had breakfast.

The Lipień Brothers set a record that certainly could not be beaten by other sports brothers. At the same minute and second – they won the 1973 World Champion Title in two weight categories!

Two years ago ...

Sopot 2010, the corridor next to the room where the Nemiroff World Cup took place. After the fight, which, to put it mildly, was very "brotherly", Rustam Babayev and Ruslan Babayev were sitting side by side.

Let’s get to the point!

This article, however, is about other brothers, but also from Ukraine and also armwrestlers.

But let me get back for a moment to Rustam and Ruslan. I compared them, with tongue in cheek, to the equally famous Ukrainian brothers – The Klitschko Brothers. The boxers reportedly promised their mother to never fight with each other. I asked about it directly the older brother, Rustam. That’s what he said: - "Well, kind of, a little, maybe, as well ...". But his smile said everything.

Ukraine is a big country, full of sports talents. No small wonder that they will also appear in our sport.

So let’s get to the point!

Sergiy Tokarev and Andrii Tokarev in the team of Ukraine were proposed in the category up to 95 kg, at the both hands. Sergiy is the older brother, Andrii is a year and a half younger, but now he is at least ten pounds heavier.  

Gentlemen, due to the Rustam’s absence will you play his role at the Nemiroff? Or, as well as the Klitschko brothers, you promised your mother not to compete with each other for real?

Sergiy Tokarev (in the background we can hear his brother’s voice: We didn’t promise anything ... But, you know, a brother is always a brother ... We can not replace the Babayev brothers anyway, because we do not have a sister!

Are there only two of you? But you might take women athletes as wives?

Sergiy Tokarev: We already have wives! But they do not go in for our kind of sport.

Sergiy, tell us about the younger brother. How many years has he been training? What are his best results?

Sergiy Tokarev: Andryusha has been really training for only two years.

Has he competed abroad yet?

Sergiy Tokarev: Not yet. This will be his international debut.

How do you see his chances?

Sergiy Tokarev: He’ll be a threat, especially at the right hand category. Other competitors can already be afraid of him! We are both perfectly prepared. At the moment I have 110 kg of good muscles, and my brother has even about 120 kg.

How do you train now?

Sergiy Tokarev: Before the Cup we do once a week training at the table, and twice with weights.

When do you start your rest?

Sergiy Tokarev: A week before the event.

What you are doing, in addition to sports?

Sergiy Tokarev I’m still a student at the Institute of Physical Education, a brother will also soon begin studying.

Gentlemen, what do you think about the 95 kg category? I admit that when I read a list of your team, I came to the conclusion that the Ukrainians themselves will be able to fill this category. What is your opinion?

Sergiy Tokarev and Andrii: Indeed! In addition we will have Pushkar and Semerenko. This weight category won’t be an easy one. Besides, Nemiroff is the competition where there are no weak competitors. Here, anyone can beat anyone!

Will it be easier without Denis?

Sergiy Tokarev: Either it is or it is not but it doesn’t change much. Andrey has already shown in Moscow at A1 that he can compete with him.

And how do you see the fight Pushkar vs Semerenko?

Sergiy Tokarev: Pushkar is constantly improving his technique and increasing his fighting capabilities. I have the impression that the "Sem" in this respect is a little behind.

Sergiy, what’s your balance with these players?

Sergiy Tokarev: I lost with Pushkar at the Championship of Ukraine 2006, when I participated at the category up to 110 kg. However, I won with Semerenko in 2009.

Gentlemen, I wish you a harsh competition in Warsaw. See you there!

Sergiy Tokarev and Andrii: See you in Poland!

But this is not the end!

To show in a better way what awaits us in the category up 95 kg I place a list of the Russian team. Each of these will take part at both hands categories. Sergey Patrikeev; Murat Karyaev; Vyacheslav Karpov.

This is not the end!

Iran will be represented by:

Abdolvand Mahdi. His weight? 140 kg!

The Asian champion in 2010 and 2012.

It's not over yet!

Tim Bresnan from the US will come as well.

Italy will be represented by Frank Lamparelli.

Sergiy Tokarev as seen by John Brzenk:

- “It's a world-class competitor. His good techniques are the toproll and the hook. He is also a very fast competitor.”

Sergiy Tokarev

2011 - I place at the World Championship at the right-hand.

2012 - II place at the European Championship at the left-hand.

2012 - III place at the World Championship at the left-hand.

NEMIROFF WORLD CUP +95 kg

2009

Left

1 CYPLENKOV DENIS RUSSIA

2 PUSHKAR ANDRIY UKRAINE

3 CHAPUKHYAN ARMEN ARMENIA

4 IBRAGIMOV IBRAGIM RUSSIA

5 TOKAREV SERGIY UKRAINE

Right

1 CYPLENKOV DENIS RUSSIA

2 PUSHKAR ANDRIY UKRAINE

3 NOWAK GRZEGORZ POLAND

4 KVIKVINIA GERADI GEORGIA

5 SZASZ GEORGY HUNGARY

6 GRIGAITIS MODESTAS LITHUANIA

7 GLOWACKI SLAWOMIR POLAND

8 TOMSONS NORMUNDS LATVIA

9 TOKAREV SERGIY UKRAINE

2010

Left       

1 CYPLENKOV DENIS RUSSIA    

2 PUSHKAR ANDRIY UKRAINE  

3 KVIKVINIA GENADI GEORGIA

4 PATRIKEEV SERGEI RUSSIA     

5 FUGAROV ALEKSANDR RUSSIA         

6 SHARAGOVICH VIACHESLAV BELARUS      

7 TOKAREV SERGIY UKRAINE   

Right

1 CYPLENKOV DENIS RUSSIA

2 PUSHKAR ANDRIY UKRAINE

3 PATRIKEEV SERGEI RUSSIA

4 BRZENK JOHN UNITED STATES

5 TOKAREV SERGIY UKRAINE

PeSzy