Apparently, the winner of the +110 kg class has decided not to defend his title at this year’s championships!

Until recently the +110 kg class of this year’s World Championships did not seem to be quite exciting. There was no doubt that it would be Andrey Pushkar of Ukraine who would walk away with victory, both arms, as he defeated all his rivals in Brazil last year and then at the NEMIROFF WORLD CUP 2012 (the +95 kg class and open class).

At the Lion Cup – Fitmax Challenge 2013 he won without breaking sweat. This winning streak became pretty monotonous and the public watching matches started to shout “Beat the Champion!”

And let’s not forget about Andrey’s pretty successful performance at the Moscow tournament A1 where only “Denis the Destroyer” was able to beat Pushkar.

At the ORAWA ARMWRESTLING CHALLENGE 2013 Pushkar was once again unstoppable in the open class.

This year’s season has proven that no one, except for Denis Cyplenkov, can beat the champion of Ukraine!

We could only speculate as to who would take second and third places as it was obvious that “the first place was out of reach”.

Now, it’s no longer the case as it has become clear that Pushkar is not going to compete in the championships. With the former champion not defending his title, it’s worth reconsidering the situation in the +110 kg class.

Can we assume that those who came second last year will take first place this year, whereas those who came third last year will take second place this year and so on?

I don’t think that would be the case, but still it’s worth considering possible scenarios.

At the competition in Brazil second place was taken by a very nice athlete of Slovakia with an arm even bigger than Cyplenkov’s arm (I know that because I shook their hands).

Juraj Michalicka gained two silver medals at the World Championships, both arms.

Does that mean that he’s likely to come in first at the competition in Poland? I don’t think so! Juraj was not quite successful at the European Championships in Lithuania this year in May as he was fifth, left arm and eighth, right arm.

Also Georgi Cvetkov is among those competitors who did well at the European Championships 2013 as he was third, left arm and second, right arm. As Assen Hadjitodorov told me Bulgarian team’s successes at the European Championships boosted their morale so now they are going to achieve even more at the competition in Poland.

Assen knows what he’s talking about.

Thus, it can be assumed that with Michalicka suffering a slump in form, Georgi Cvetkov is a serious contender for first place in the +110 kg category.

Looking at the standings I’m of course concentrating on competitors from Central Europe seeing no further that the end of my nose. So let’s not forget that a competitor of Iran has announced he’s coming to Poland. He weighs one hundred and fifty kilograms. Isn’t it time for real “giants” in the amateur super heavy division? Mehdi Abdolvand already competed in the NEMIROFF WORLD CUP last year. He didn’t perform well as apparently he was injured. Will he do better this time? We can’t tell. For sure he’s very strong and does not lack sparring partners.

We already know that Juraj Michalicka may lock arms with Mehdi Abdolvand, provided they draw one another.

Also athletes from South Africa will be competing in the World Championships. One of them will be an experienced competitor, although not quite successful, Ernest Van de Bruyn. We ha a chance to see him fighting at the World Championships and Professional World Cup in Poland. Apart from him, South Africa will be represented by Hendrik Fourie.

Russia will be represented by three competitors in the +110 kg class.

Murat Kariaev will compete on both arms, Artem Grishin only left arm, and Dmitrii Pavin only right arm.

What can we expect from these guys? Everything!

Will two representatives of Ukraine be able to “replace” Pushkar?

Lavrenti Zarkua and Gela Khubiashvili are the only competitors at the championships who are not happy about Andrey Pushkar not taking part in the competition!

With Pushkar not included in the team, they will have to represent Ukraine in this prestigious and spectacular division. Will they manage? I don’t think so...

It’s time for final conclusions!

The +110 kg class will be an “abandoned class” at this year’s championships as its former winner decided not to defend his title!

For each competitor, except for the already mentioned athletes of Ukraine, this class will be a “class of hope.”

Until recently everyone knew that they would not beat Pushkar, no matter what.

Knowing that Pushkar is not competing in this year’s championships, they will certainly be much more determined to win.

What do you think about that?

Who will play the key role in the „plus” class?

Post your comments on our forum or below the article.

PeSzy