In the past the sport was associated with a bearded sailor, wrestling his mates for fun in a bar. Then it became a domain of truck drivers. Today armwrestling has the face of a sportsman who works out in a gym, minds their diet and cares for their public image.

The modern armwrestler competes nationally and internationally, wins medals, cups and champion titles. He treats himself and his discipline very seriously.

We want our sport to be treated seriously – says Dawid Bartosiewicz, Polish armwrestler and 2013 World Championships silver medalist. – For those who practice it and are intetested in it, armwresling is a beautiful sport. How do we get armwrestling to become as respected and interesting as boxing and other sports? By exhibiting it, so that people can feel the adrenaline, live the sport along with the sportspeople. I see good times coming for armwrestling and for those who stuck with it through and through.

But for now, armwrestling is not treated equally with other sports, such as cycling or chess.

I don’t know about other countries, but in Russia everyone knows armwrestling – says Mariusz Grochowski, Polish armwrestler and winner of 3^rd place in heavy weight on this year’s Arnold Classic. – Same in the USA. As for Poland, cycling has a long tradition here and armwrestling cannot compete with it as yet.

Wagner Bortolato has his own theory on the subject.

Chess is an intellectual sport, and cycling is expensive, it requires a lot of equipment – says the top Brazilian armwrestler. – That’s why people see armwrestling as a sport without culture and a cheap one, which is not true. Every sportsman needs to invest in themselves and use their intelligence to plan and win a battle.

How many years will it take for armwrestling to be appreciated as it should be?

We still need some time to take armwrestling to the level of chess or cycling. Maybe Voevoda can help achieving this now? – wonders Grochowski.

It’s hard to forecast anything. Armwrestling need to be promoted, the fighters and champions need promotion too. It needs to become more of a show, and event – says Bortolato. – If we get our heads together, work as one, we can definitely get it out there in the open, draw more fans and fighters.

Iza Małkowska