In order to find an answer to this question I decided to travel to the capital of Belarus and talk to random passersby; I also called strangers. I wanted to see what does armwrestling mean to a common man, not connected to this word. It would seem it's a stupid a question. However, it's actually not so trivial in the case of people who have nothing in common with armwrestling. Of course on my way I met wrestling pros, but I didn't consider their opinions, because they sounded monotone and boring.

The idea to ask passersby what armwrestling is came to me suddenly. Literally: while walking to the store, I started talking to a random person. Olga, 38 years old, cafe manager, doesn't play any sports:

Amreslik? Amreslink? Armrezdlink? Oh my, you can break your tongue! All your Oriflames, Faberlikes, Amreslikes are not for me. I don't buy that stuff.

I laughed a long time, heartfully. Evidently not everyone likes Oriflame's policies.

The next day in the metro I noticed I buffed up man. Immediately I thought that he probably knows what armwrestling is and what's it all about.

Andrew, 26 years old, travel agency manager, trains - as he puts it - "for himself":

We have a table in the gym, sometimes the boys fight. I don't know anything about this sport, but it's definitely not popular. In our gym there's often a queue to the barbells, but next to the armwrestling table I've never seen any crowds. There are maybe two, three people there, no more.

On the way to the supermarket I saw a girl who missed a bus. It was five minutes until the next one, so I had a chance to talk to her.

Anastasia, 29 years old, university lecturer, doesn't train:

I saw an article about armwrestling in newspapers a few times. To be honest, I haven't even read it. I prefer games and combat sports. And here I see two men at a table, who are pulling each other's arms. It's not a very spectacular show.

In the queue to the ATM I started talking to a guy in front of me. Turns out we share the same name.

Arthur, 17 years old, student, trains from time to time:

My brother does that. He has big arms! He can wear short-sleeved shirts. Everything looks good on him, the girls like it.

On the pedestrian crossing there's only the two of us. Why not talk?

Helena, 31 years old, housewife, doesn't train, but often "meditates":

What, do I know what armwrestling is? My husband told me that they brought people with broken arms to his hospital after a competition. It's not a sport, it's some kind of masochism!

Near the university I spotted a portly man.

Oleg, 27, insurance agent, trains powerlifting:

I do powerlifting since one and a half years ago. My aim: a beautiful body and physical strength. What can you have by doing armwrestling? The body is not beautiful: legs like sticks, and arms like hammers. Is there strength?

Running along the wharf I spotted an older man in front of me. I matched his pace, tried to start a conversation, but I got directed to a very indecent place. A while later I found a less aggressive conversation partner.

Michael, 68 years old, retired, does sports for health reasons, is a winter swimmer, dives under ice, he has no respect for the "lazy youth with bellies and fat":

Armwrestling is a sport. Sport, in which just strength isn't enough. It's like boxing. I gave the example of boxing deliberately. I used to be a boxer, and I had achievements when I was young. Every competitor has to have a plan, tactics, strategy, and a head on his shoulders! What's good for one person, doesn't work for someone else. Not always, but usually! We have to look for something that will suit us, and not what the stereotypes impose on us.

With this, my street talks were over. I sat on the couch, grabbed the phone, I started to dial digits until I heard a signal. When will I find someone on the other end? I don't know, but it could get interesting.

Andrew, 20 years old, trade school student, does athletics. To my question "what is armwrestling", he responds:

It's the national currency in India.

Irina, 16 years old, student, a dancer. For her, armwrestling is:

Probably some 70's singer.

Vasiliy, 22 years old, works in a factory, doesn't do sports:

When you carry lots of pipes in the factory, that's better than any barbell - he responds. - We did it in school. It was good to see who was stronger. It's good for playing around, this "armresik". What more would you want?

Inga, 48 years old, librarian, doesn't do sports:

I'm too old for this - I hear - Maybe it's something from computer games? That's the only place where you can find such strange names.

Nicholas, 45 years old, retired officer, does sports only for his own health:

I was in Russia on holiday - he describes - On a truck I saw an ad for some sports supplements. In the background behind the jars and boxes there was a photo of a man with wide shoulders. I remember I saw him in a program called "Extreme strength". When I returned home, I wanted to read something more about this man. From the web I found out that he's the armwrestler Denis Cyplenkov and that armwrestling is an arm fight. That's all I know about this topic.

Ruslan, 57 years old, businessman, doesn't do sports; he has no time for it:

Armwrestling is a situation, when someone's boring you, and you're suppressing your aggression through arbitrary decisions - he says - I don't understand what I just said, but write it down, because it sounds great.

Samvel, 31 years old, store clerk, doesn't do sports:

Armwrestling is a strain of apples or pears - he responds to my question.

Fedor, 47 years old, businessman, does sports in order to "lose weight". He even has a training hall in his house.

I know it's a sport - he responds to my question about armwrestling. - I'm not really into standing at a table though, you have to move. I have never done it, never even thought about it. I'm a fan of jogging. I lost 20 kg in a year.

Sergiey, 20 years old, student, plays table tennis:

Armwrestling for me died together with Turczinski - says Sergiey. - He was also training that, right?

Oxana, 33 years old, accountant, doesn't do sports:

Let's think logically - thinks the woman. - If you called me with this question, evidently the answer is related to my job. I've worked as an accountant my whole life so it means that armwrestling is... some kind of office supply?

Ivan, 73 years old:

Of course I know what armwrestling is - he says - It's that medicine I ordered last week. Why haven't you delivered it yet? My back hurts so much I can't even stand. I have to move, I can't sit in one place. I'll sue you!

I won't complain that when asking, many times I was directed you know where... That's the specification of the journalist's job. Not everyone likes and respects you. I wonder, what do people around you know about armwrestling. Do you know similar examples?

Artur Grigorjan