So I decided to ask the same questions both referees and sportsmen. And sometimes - referee and wrestler in one.

Common problems that I minded on the Championship ( apart from the problem of refering , which has already considered by PeSzy), may be divided into three groups.

1. Microfouls and false starts.

The bottom line, in general, is in the terminology. Are the judges and sportsmen differ micro fouls and warnings? If so, what’s the difference?

Venera Urazgildeeva, Russia: "In fact microfouls in Russia suppress hardly. That is why our athletes are affected on international competition. I often hear such phrases from sportsmen that Russian team "is sued" (honestly, when I was a wrestler, I thought the same). Now, as a referee, I can say there’s no biased refereeing at all. If I say, that we don’t pay attention to microfouls, disputes of another type will start: somebody will say that it’s a microfoul, others say it's a "real" foul. Therefore, in my opinion, let's better to be microfoul. Now I can say that many referees did not see elbow microfouls in the final matches, but cameras did".

A little bit different from the judge explains Piotr Szczerba "We sometimes use word "microfoul" but every time when armwrestler lose contact with pad is foul. Does not matter if it is 1mm or 20 cm, it is a foul. But microfouls are very hard to see. Experienced referee knows that about 80 procent elbow fouls are on the start so that’s why good referee position is very important. It is very important that referees head are in the level of pads on the corner with good view (that corner without side pad). Also microfouls appear often during a fight in the hook, when athletes want to go from defence to attack. They move an elbow and lose contact with a pad. In my opinion, the percentage of fouls and elbow microfouls depends on the referee 's skill, position and focus on the grip process and struggle. "

The winner of the Worlds-2013 Eugene Prudnyk remarks: "I ​​think for competitions microfouls are too much, because the struggle becomes prolonged and in one fight with a large number of microfouls sportsman gets tired and, accordingly, in the next fight he will be weaker. But for armfights it fits better because both opponents are in the same conditions. "

As we can see, microfoul or elbow foul appearance we can spot only with appropriate technical support. Usually such equipment is not present at competitions. So maybe we should not use this term at all? It should be decided for sure.

We start about the false starts in connection with the following question.

2. «Ready ... go!».

On the one hand, everything is clear. But on the Worlds-2013 I saw few false starts, when the referees did not pay any attention to them. Or it was not false starts? Let’s try to understand.

Anders Axklo, Swedish Armwrestling Federation President: "I think the situation with false starts can be solved only with correct commands. «Ready» is not and has never been a start command. It simply indicates that the referee is happy with the grip.

Then there is a pause, and then «Go!». If this is done correctly it will solve the false start problem. The ready must be there, but with a pause".

Peter Szczerba : "The team «Ready .. Go!» actually is divided in two. Between them definitely should be a pause.

Some sportsmen think that there should be only «Go!», but it is wrong. Armwrestlers need to be sure that everything is good and grip is comfortable, or they need to change something. And only then start to fight. It has been a lot of stupid fights, in which someone was not ready for start because he think that wrist are curled or knuckles are hidden. In that way falstarts problem is very simply. If you start to «Ready» or  during the grip, you get one warning. "

At the same armwrestlers have another point. "I think that is enough only «Go», because some of judges make pause between commands and a lot of fighters, who got used to «ready-go» in one word, are at a loss", - says Victor Borodin, Czech Republic.

Eugene Prudnyk: "I think a command should be short, like a shot, without any extras. Just because of the extra-«Ready», which is fused with «Go!» , we get a lot of false starts - some sportsmen start to "Re ... ", others only to «... ady», the others, more honest , waiting for «Go!», and then outraged - why his opponent made ​​a false start . Referees, in their turn, act differently – some give a foul for an faulse start , others say it was fair. Then we have a mess and a lot of controversial issues. It seems to me that the command «Ready» should be separated from «Go!», not fused . Between «Ready» and «Go!» might be a pause . For example, «Don't move» pause ... «Ready ...» pause ... «Go!». Like ready-set-go! Then everyone will have time to prepare before the start. In another hand referees should pass «Ready» like «Don't move ... Go!». But in any case not «Ready-go!» ».

So, athletes and judges are fighting by different rules? Yes, it’s hard to fight ... Maybe we need to come to common.

3. Cameras on finals.

At the finals of the seniors Anders and me were a little outraged. It seemed that referees, who watched the monitors, spent 40-second fights, and then stopped them to look for a foul.

Anders Axklo: " The cameras are great, but referees should only call what they see in real time, not when rewinding. Replay should only be used when there is a protest. If they don’t see it in real time, and it gives no advantage, no foul".

Venera Urazgildeeva : "Cameras on the finals are convenient for judges, there are no claims for us. But sportsmen are in uncomfortable situation. At the finals they were frightened, they didn’t know what decision referees will nominate. Often they could not sincerely rejoice their victory: just first seconds after the fight are full real emotions!"

Sportsmen think similar. Victor Borodin , Czech Republic: "I think that cameras are needed not only in the finals, but in all events, in order to eliminate the possibility of referee’s error . But for sure, referees should stay at the finals, but they have to see records just in case of protests."

A lot of sportsmen say that a magic moment of finals destroyed, wrestler have to fight hard and not to rely on the camera.

We don’t make any complaint to organizers. Those referees who watch cameras should be instructed and use all equipment very carefully.

In any case, Congress and judges need to solve these problems to make all work easier and help armwrestlers focus on sport.

Anastasia Kisilyova