Your match with Vadim Akperov at the World Championships in Gdynia has generated much controversy. Do you think people will keep talking about that during the Nemiroff?

Yes, if Vadim comes to the competition. The atmosphere may be tense. And if we confront each other during the competition, our fans will be divided. And it’s good, but I hope this time the match will end with one of us pinning the opponent’s arm to the pad and not winning because of fouls. I’d like the situation to be absolutely clear.

You mean the discussion about your match at the championships on the Internet and comments on our website armpower.net?

Yes, but only that. Generally speaking, it’s obvious that the Russians can’t accept the outcome of my match with Akperov.

Would you be able to get over such a situation?

It’s hard to say how I would react if it happened to me, but if a competitor is stronger and yet he loses a match because of fouls, it must be painful. As far as my match with Vadim is concerned, I think I had an advantage over him. I was close to pin his hand to the pad several times and I controlled the match. I had a slight advantage over my opponent.

Aren’t you afraid that the situation may happen again? That so much depends on the referee?

I guess refereeing at the world championships differs a lot from refereeing at the cup, where slight fouls do not decide about the outcome of a match. So I think such a situation won’t happen again. You just have to be really strong so as not to give the referee any reason to intervene. And I aspire to building such strength.

Did your match with Vadim make you change your training program before the Nemiroff?

The match with Vadim did not affect the way I’m preparing for the Nemiroff. My training program works well for me. It helped me reach top form and as long as I make progress I won’t change anything. However, the media conflict following my match with Vadim has given me drive. For sure I’d like to prove that my win at the world championships was not a matter of chance.

What are your expectations for the Nemiroff?

My main aim is to show technical proficiency, I’m not thinking about the final standings. I wanted to win many times, but it didn’t work out. I think when we focus on technical proficiency, we achieve the desired results. For sure, I’ll be fighting hard to be one of the top three finishers in my division. And I’ll be fighting for gold.

Who may be your most dangerous opponent?

Taking into consideration the previous editions of the tournament my toughest opponent may be Kazimir Iskanderov. Khadzhimurat Zoloyev will not compete in my division, luckily (laughs). Jaba Getiashvili is also ranked high. Rafał Woźny, who was 5 at the world championships, is yet another dangerous rival. Everyone will be a potential threat to me, in fact.

The fact that you had a break in training is not helping you...

Yes, I had a year and a half break. I had no time to train as I had to work and then I picked up a leg injury, which I haven’t overcome yet and which prevented me from competing in the Championship of Poland 2011.

Does the injury affect your current results?

It does not prevent me from armwrestling. The most important for me is that I’m fit from waist up.

What about your brother, Piotr, who is also a top armwrestler?

He has no time to train as he’s totally preoccupied with his private life. It’s a pity. He assures me that he has not forgotten about armwrestling and he’s starting training next year, which means there’s a chance will see him at the next Nemiroff.

Many people say the Nemiroff is for professionals. You compete in the world championships and in the world cup too.

If someone starts training six months before the Nemiroff he does not need to compete in any other competition. In theory, you need to rest a week before the event and a week after it. For many, it will be a waste of time. Therefore, some train only to get ready for the Nemiroff so as not to waste energy. For me it was very important to show up at the world championships, because in my opinion, one wins the official title of world champion at the world championships, not at the Nemiroff.

Iza Małkowska