Because of test results from drug control during the 2013 World Chapionships, Dmitry Trubin has been suspended for two years. He’s already served half of this sentence. What is he doing nowadays? What are his plans for the future? How does he look at armwrestling?

Dmitry, tell me what are you doing right now?

I coach armwrestling at a local sports school. I prepare young fighters for tournaments. My students are champions of Kazakhstan and Asia. Last year one of my students became juniors champion of the world. I seldom train myself – I have too little time. Besides coaching, I’m also raising my two sons – Maxim and Alex.

You seldom train… Does that mean that you’re planning to quit being an armwrestler?

No, I’m not. I feel great, I’ll soon start preparing for the Nemiroff World Cup 2015. I want to take my form to a new level. I hope I’ll manage to climb higher. Let us remember that armwrestling is going forward. That means that it’s not enough to get back in shape – you also need a reserve. I’ve always tried to be on the level with the best fighters, go toe-to-toe. I’m not planning to change that.

Does your sports history affect raising your children?

Of course, I have the title of Master of Sports, I’m a three-times champion of the world, so my children also feel drawn to sports. They go with me to the gym, sometimes they help me prepare. My oldest son is 5 years old and he can do 25-35 pushups easy. I’m planning to train them both to be armwrestlers.

What do you find the most interesting and the most worrying in today’s armwrestling?

I try to watch my colleagues perform. I’m eagerly awaiting the start of the TOP 16 project.

I’d like to be a part of it in the future. Many young fighters are coming onto the stage, but the “old guard” is vigilant, and they stay prepared. That means there will be many interesting fights in the A1, Nemiroff World Cup and the World Championships. I’d like to see Tsyplenkov fight Dave Chaffee. I think Denis will win, but I wonder how. Denis has a great character, when he loses, he never gives up, but trains harder.

Do you think that John Brzenk’s time is over, or does he have a chance to come back to the top?

John is a very good armwrestler. He has a lot to take on at the A1 – he’s going to fight himself. His age, his old and new injuries. I think that he’ll have a lot to say in his weight category, but he’ll have a hard time in the OPEN. I saw his fights from this year. He’s way behind on power. When he faces all the top guys at the top of their form, he’ll have his work cut out for him. But that doesn’t mean we should cross him off the list.

Alexey Voevoda has announced his return to armwrestling. He’ll probably be in the TOP 16. Do you think he’ll be able to come back to the top?

Alex is a great and very talented fighter, but he’s got a lot of new competition. He has a chance to become a leader. But the leader needs to be prepared. All we can do is wait and see.

Do you think that without guys like you, Rustam Babaev and Arsen Liliev the world of armwrestling is worse off?

It isn’t, but with us back in the game, it would be better. I think than anyone who leaves their sport, wants to come back at some point. Armwrestling is not just a sport. It’s a hobby, a way of life. We all share the fanaticism and the dedication to that great sport.

Artur Grigorian