Sergey, how are you feeling after the Ukrainian Championships?

I’ll give it a 4. I work out, I think I’ll be ready in time for the TOP 16.

What are your thoughts on the Ukrainian Championships?

The championships were high-level, all the guys did well, especially my student – Dmitry Kharchenko, who took 1^st place in right hand.

Have you had any fights backstage?

Yes I have. Dmitry Ionov, the guy who took 3^rd place in my category, has challenged me and I accepted, after a lengthy consideration.

Dima fights over the top, but he adapted the “Bortolato style” to fight me – he just dumped all of his 108 kilos on my arm… I was very careful, but I’ve still heard a crack. Fortunately, nothing broke.

The right-hand finals were very interesting. Dmitry Ovsiyenko tried to take me by hook, but I caught him in time. His friends started to scream “Go Dima!”, but it wasn’t clear if they were cheering him on, or telling me to get out of there (laughs).

If you go first in the TOP 16, who would you like to face?

I’d like to get Larratt. He’s a strong, resilient and intelligent sportsman. To win with him, I’ll have to give it my best… But anyone in TOP 16 will be great, it’s a different world altogether.
 

AK