It’s unbelievable: at first time of all history of our sport we have such problem. What had happened?

"In 2010 at WAF Congress majority vote of the right to take the Worlds in 2015 was given to the United States, - says Igor Mazurenko. - President of the World Federation at the time was a Canadian Fred Roy. In 2012, during the World Championship in Brazil we reached a turning point. At the Congress by a majority vote of Fred Roy managed to shoot. Assen Hadjitodorov and Alexander Filimonov took control.

In 2012 Polish Federation organized the European Championship. The tournament was held at a very high level with the highest standards. Many of the European countries want to pursue at this level not only European but also World Championships. We remember that the championship in Brazil was held so-so, and it could not be the same anymore. And once it became clear that Assen Hadjitodorov decided not to lower the bar of the European Championship, because the organization of sports competitions at the world level should not lag behind European and even be much better".

Everyone was waiting for the world championship in 2013 and new standards in Poland. Polish Federation held a championship, after which the Americans immediately reported that they are unable to provide this level. First of all, they had a problem with the organization of the live broadcast on the sports channel. It was an alarming bell.

Autumn 2013 Igor Mazurenko met with the organizer of the future championship-2015 Bill Collins "Collins initially agreed to cooperate, but he said that broadcasting is impossible. Actually, we have seen a championship in "Las Vegas" in 2010. Competitions were held in the hangar, not at the Worlds level at all.  

Under the WAF’s rules, a certain country federation have to organize the World Championship, the contract is signed it with it. Will this federation organize everything by itself or turn to commercial organizations - does not matter. American Federation was registered recently, but in fact, in the championship could make any commercial organization.

PAL, which I represent, was to provide financial, logistical support, and the federation would then simply reap all success. Naturally, this approach does not suit anyone. The World Federation was an ultimatum: either the American Federation holds competitions or gives the right of another organizer", – concluded Mazurenko.

It was a deadlock.

During the Congress in Azerbaijan Marian Capla offered to hold the championship in Slovakia. He'd brought the candidacy of Slovakia, but for later events. But after reflection and advice with officials and businessmen about funding, the Slovak federation refused to hold the World Championship in 2015.

The question remains open.

"There was a proposal to hold the championship again in Poland, - shares Mazurenko. - But we stick to the policy of armwrestling popularization worldwide, not only in Poland, so this option is not very suitable. But we are ready to organize this event at a decent level. The only condition is answer deadline at 1^st of September".

Anastasia Kisilyova