The deadline, by which the competitors whose “A” samples contained prohibited substances may ask to have their “B” samples examined, is approaching. According to the regulations, if an athlete does not ask for that, it is tantamount to accepting the decision of the Doping Control Committee of the European Armwrestling Federation. If such a situation is the case, the Committee along with the WAF management impose a specified penalty on the athlete, including even disqualification for a period of two years. The only way for a competitor to defend himself is to have his “B” sample tested at his own expense (the cost amounts to around 500 euros). If the “B” sample does not contain any prohibited substances, the athlete is cleared and can still take part in competitions.

During the European Championships 2013, which were held in Lithuania, 40 tests were taken.  The samples were taken from randomly chosen competitors who took three top places.

The samples of twelve athletes gave positive results. They included:

1/ Viktar BRATCHENIA Belarus

2/ Sinan PEHLIVAN Turkey

3/ Ruslan MAMEDOV Russia

4/ Timur MAMEDOV Russia

5/ Taymuraz TSAKHILOV Russia

6/ Diana BAREEVA Rusia

7/ Genadi KVIKVINIA Georgia

8/ Vladislav ZHYHYLII Ukraine

9/ Zaza TABAGARI Georgia

10/ Natalia GURCHIEVA Russia

11/ Rustam BABAIEV Ukraine

12/ Arsen LILIEV Russia

Intelligent, enjoying worldwide popularity and having a good sense of humour, twenty-six year old Arsen Liliev is a multiple medalist at amateur and professional events, who has taken part in many spectacular matches.

I have to admit that my sympathy for “Shrek” is great, and all the more I can’t imagine armwrestling without him. During a telephone conversation Arsen said he feels hurt and doesn’t know why it happened. He has nothing to hide. Yet he won’t ask to have his “B” sample tested again as he considers it pointless. It makes no sense to him to have the sample examined in virtually the same laboratory. Arsen is very bitter.

What will he be doing?

The decision as to impose a penalty will be made by the WAF authorities and (unfortunately) it is more than likely that Arsen will be disqualified.

 What will Arsen be doing during that period?

For sure, he won’t disappear from our sport. As he told us, he would become a trainer. In some interviews, while asked about his students, “Shrek” would always say that of course, there are several young athletes training with him, but he could not call them his students yet. He used to say that he’s an advisor, not a trainer. Now, inevitably, in a way out of necessity, Arsen will start training young athletes.

There are around twenty athletes in his team now, including a very nice and always smiling guy - Vadim Akbarov.

Arsen will certainly comment on our competitions and be involved in the life of our sport. As soon as the period of disqualification is over, he will again take part in professional armwrestling competitions.

Frankly, “Shrek” I’ll be waiting for you!

For the time being, we have no official information as to the other competitors’ decisions regarding “B” samples. Everything will be decided soon as the deadline for the decision is approaching inexorably.

PeSzy