Artem knows armwrestling from childhood. His father often took him to the gym, where he trained alog people like Oleg Mackiewicz, Dmitrij Shmyko, Aleksander Jankowski and Sergey Sergel. But his first club wasn't an armwrestling one, but a sambo club. I needed five years to realize I wasn't that much into sambo – says Artem. - But I have no regrets for the time spent doing it. When I turned 14 I started looking for new ways to challenge myself. I've found armwrestling by chance.

Artem's first coach was Oleg Mackiewicz – one of the most accomplished Belarussian armwrestlers. Artem found it hard to get used to the new discipline. He lost to everyone in right hand. He was a little better in left, but he couldn't face the more experiencesd people. - The fact that I was weaker than everyone else gave me a boost to train harder and more often – says Artem. I started training way uitside of the plan, I got really dragged in. After a year I wound up on my own, out of 40 people who started with me.

After two years Artem started in his first competition – Belarussian Championships, juniors class, where he earned his candidature foe Master of Sports. His training has paid off. - Recalling my first trainings, I realize what i've accomplished – says Artem. - At first Oleg Mackiewicz prepared my plan, corrected my technique. But everyone else in the gym helped too. We had one of the strongest teams in Belarus.

If I could turn back time, I wolud drop some sparring – we had lots of it, even though the coach told us to do it once a week. But did we listen ? (laughter). Today, when I stick to the plan, it's much better. The Internet is a great source of information, too. When Artem went to uiversity, he's decided to widen his training regime by searching for more information on nutrition and new exercises.

I'm sure that proper diet is very important in every sport – says Artem. - I try to control what I eat. It gives one easier control over weight and reduces the weight-related stress before tournaments. Secondly, healthy eating is good for everyone, not just sportspeople. I don;t drink – I think it makes life better. A sportsman should not drink alcohol. Supplementation is a big issue too. Artem uses joint supplements, BCAA, Animal Flex vitamins. He noticed no effect from creatine, so he uses a pre-workout mix instead. - I train three times a week, when I have no tournament in sight – says Artem. - I do six – seven exercises per training, which takes about two hours. I pay a lot of attention to wrists and tendons. I never forget the “base” and expander exercises.

Artem has yet to start international, because of funding issues. His role model is Khadzimurat Zoloyev, and his anti-hero is a guy who doesn't respecthis opponents – Travis Bagent.

I try to follow every bit of armwrestling news – says Artem. - I like EC and WC the most, the A1 and Nemiroff World Cup too. Although I think Denis Tsyplenkov is boring in left hand, because he has no one to face him, not now at least.

Artur Grigorian