- “I’m just an ordinary guy” – That’s how the Ukrainian armwrestler of the “Aquarius” (Водник) club says about himself. Maybe he is ordinary but he win everything that’s to be won. Except the open class only, but it’s no wonder as his class in 70kg only, and earlier even 63 (65)kg. In spite of that he applied the absolute at the Moscow A1 tournament and was 8th.

Whereas in his weight class he irrevocably beat all of his 14 opponents. He took part at NEMIROFF WORLD CUP 2010 and 2011. First in 63kg class then 70kg. You’ve already been able to read a few words about this competitor. He is a favorite of his weight class for sure. Will he be able to subdue the open class?

We’ll see in Warsaw on the 10th November.

When did you started you Armwrestling adventure?

Oleg Zhokh: It all happened by accident, about four year ago. My friends noticed that I’m strong and I have a strong left arm and so they suggested me taking up Armwrestling trainings. And so I tried.

You took part at a competition and what happened?

At the first competition I was 4th. It was 2010 and then I started training harder.

So what was the effect of your first starts?

After a first month of training I won the Ukrainian junior and senior Championships. I went to the Europeans and I was 3rd, then was NEMIROFF which I won.

Then was just a string of good luck, wasn’t it?

Then, I didn’t lose almost any fight. I only suffered a defeat at A1 in Moscow where I decided to take part in absolute class and I was 8th there.

My output is of yet, two gold medals of the World Championships, two of the European Championships, and I won the NEMIROFF WORLD CUP twice. I also got the title Sports Champion in my country.

Are you a student? Where do you train?

I study water management at the University. I live in a city of Rowno. My club is called “Aquarius” and my trainer is Aleksander Komarewih.

Do you have a large family?

I have two years elder sister, Natalia.

What do you do apart from training Armwrestlingu?

I also train a little boxing.

I’ve heard you’ve never lost on the left arm?

That’s rights! Except the A1 open class issues.

What about your preparations for NEMIROFF WORLD CUP?

I’m pretty well prepared, I feel just great. I think, I could manage to enter the open class and take up a real fight there.

Can we be getting ready for a sensation? Do you want to win the open class?

I don’t think I could manage to win it. But if I take part, I’ll do my best!

What’s your attitude before the fight?

It’s all about having faith in yourself!

We’re waiting to see you in Poland!

Thank you and best regards to all the fans and readers!

See what Terence Opperman, Oleg’s opponent in open class at A1 said about him:

"It’s amazing how such a light guy be so strong! I saw him fighting with Tokarev, who really had problems with him. Luckily for me Oleg got tired with this duel! He’s the strongest 70kg competitor in the world and in my opinion he can reach the PAL rank top ten soon.”

NEMIROFF WORLD CUP 2010

63 kg Left hand

1. ZHOKH OLEH UKRAINE

2. CHAGAROV KAZBEK RUSSIA

3. KODOEV ALAN RUSSIA

4. MAKARANKA ALEH BELARUS

5. WISNIEWSKI DARIUSZ POLAND

6. AFANASIK IVAN BELARUS

7. GRALAK MACIEJ POLAND

8. FIOLEK RAFAL POLAND

9. KVARATSKHELIA OMAR GEORGIA

10. CHOMAEV ROBERT RUSSIA

NEMIROFF WORLD CUP 2011

70 kg Left hand

1. ZHOKH OLEH UKRAINE

2. MNATSAKANYAN VLADIMIR ARMENIA

3. UZDENOV UMAR RUSSIA

4. PODGÓRSKI MARIUSZ POLAND

5. BALAMUTOV DMITRY RUSSIA

6. CHERNYAVSKY OLEG UKRAINE

7. SODERBERG STEPHAN SWEDEN

8. CHIPREANOV ANDREI ROMANIA

9. ONOKHOV ALEXEY RUSSIA

10. GROCH DAWID POLAND

11. BIRO GEORGE ISRAEL

European Championships 2011– 65 kg, left arm

1. Oleg Zhokh, Ukraine

2. Evren Serhat Arslan, Turkey

3. Murat Borlakov, Russian Federation

4. Valiantin Bobrovich, Belarus

5. Aslanbek Berezov, Russian Federation

World Championships 2011 – 70 kg, left arm

1 UKR OLEG ZHOKH

2 RUS ALEKSANDR KOVALCHUK

3 RUS ALEKSANDR VORONETSKIY

4 BUL HRISTO DELIDZHAKOV

5 KAZ SERGEY YERMOLCHIK

European Championships 2012 – 70 kg, left arm

1. OLEG ZHOKH UKRAINE

2. KHETAG DZITIEV RUSSIA

3. MARIUSZ PODGORSKI POLAND

4. VOJENCAK JAN SLOVAKIA

5. ROMAN RIABTSEV UKRAINE

World Championships 2012 – 70 kg, left arm

1 UKR OLEG ZHOKH

2 SVK JAN VOJENCAK

3 RUS KHETAG DZITIEV

4 KAZ SERGEY YERMOLCHIK

5 KAZ SHYNBOLAT RAIKHANOV

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