Ievgenii, you put on quite a show on the 2^nd day! You steamrolled over people in the OPEN. A simple question – how does it feel?

I feel great! I’m very happy that I came to Nemiroff 2013 and win! This is my first gold on Nemiroff Cup! Now it’s full steam ahead for me in my job at the theatre, I don’t have time to rest. Well, I’ll rest from workout a little, I need it after a contest like this!

It was clear for all you were in great shape, even Zoloyev couldn’t handle you. How did you do that?

It was hard to beat Zoloyev, the hardest fight for me in the Cup. I just held on to the end, believed in myself and won! I also wanted to make up for the first day, I lost in left hand and was disappointed. I couldn’t wait to get even. I set myself the goal to fight fair, no fouls, no errors. I made it to the finals, took 1^st place, and then, in the OPEN, I had a great mood and all my fights were just pure joy and pleasure!

How did you prepare for Nemiroff, did you have some special program?

No program. I was already well prepared for the championship in Gdynia, so I just worked out even more. It seems the championships were a part of my workout for Nemiroff.

Before the last European Cup, World Cup and Nemiroff I had separate programs for each one. This Nemiroff just combined all the best workouts and techniques in my book.

What is your opinion on the level of fights in this Nemiroff, who was your favorite, the king of this year’s Cup? Cyplenkov, Andrey Pushkar , Grigaitis?

I think everyone did great. Everyone came to the Cup to test themselves and to achieve some goal. Even if you lost, it was worth it, to learn what you need to correct. Dave Chaffe was a surprise, for sure, but Denis didn’t give up, proving that Slavs are the strongest nation. This was the main battle, Denis was to win at all costs. I think he’ll draw the right conclusions and be even better next time.

There was a lot of controversy on Denis vs. Andrey – the audience booed when they gave up the hand. Denis claims it was strategy, what do you think?

Bread and games for the people! No wonder the audience was angry, they wanted a show. Of course, if Denis and Andrey fought all out in the eliminations, someone else would probably take 1^st place. Everyone knows that the strongest rival is always the one that is new. Neither one of them likes that. The top guys are strong, because they are intelligent. It’s their right to use any strategy to keep advantage.

Iza Małkowska