Handsome, powerful and hellishly talented. Bad news for all the ladies: Dave is married and has a child on the way. It’s going to be a son, and Dave is already planning to make a wrestler out of him. Who is the American who came to the Nemiroff World Cup for the first time and beat Denis Cyplenkov, the undefeated champion? Dave is 36 years old and works as a correction officer in a prison. He likes to play poker in his free time, but most of the time he spends with his family.

I’ve decided to ask Dave about his fight with Denis.

When I approached you after the fight, you seemed to be in a daze. Were you as surprised with your victory as the rest of the world?

I was very excited with the win when you approached me! It hadn't really sunk in yet because it had just happened. I knew that if I executed correctly that I could beat Denis! Tim Bresnan and I had talked about pulling Denis and what needed to be done to beat him before Nemiroff.

I’ve seen the recording of your fight many times. There’s a moment there, when you’re rubbing your elbow and hands with talcum powder, you’re looking at Cyplenkov, and your face seems to be saying: “I’m gonna show you now!”. What were you thinking? You were looking very determined and ready to win.

Yes I know the moment you are talking about. After Denis slipped out intentionally so close to the pin pad , I thought I should have gotten the win, I was fired up! It was at that moment I knew I can win this match! I wanted to send a message that Denis was in for a battle! And I think he got the message. I don't think he was expecting that, as he hasn't really been challenged in a very long time

After you won, I spoke to many people who were very excited that you managed to beat the undefeated Cyplenkov. They spoke of you with enthusiasm and wished you to beat him again. Do you think this may be a symptom of the world getting tired of obvious favorites and constant domination of the contestants from the Eastern Block? Is it USA’s time now?

I think people like to root for the underdog. Denis had been put on a pedestal by everyone. Most people thought the man could not be beat. As I stated in our first interview I had a different opinion on the situation.

It’s your first time in Europe and bang! You make a great entrance and a lot of noise. Same with Tim Bresnan. You pulled an upset, and yet you were both very composed and peaceful, at least on the outside. What did you feel like inside? How great were your emotions?

I may have been calm on the outside but very different emotions on the inside. I was excited! I had just beat the number one armwrestler in the world! It's that moment when you realize all your hard work has paid off! After I won, Everybody in the place congratulated me and wanted to get pictures taken with me. It was pretty crazy! Great feeling!

TOP 16 is coming soon. Beating Cyplenkov is a great taste of the things to come. What do you think the Americans are going to do there?

I think the Americans that are involved in the TOP 16 will do great.

Iza Małkowska