Vlad Dzisyak, Ukrainian sportsman

I think that the most important event in my life is yet to happen. I want to be champion of the world! Nothing else comes to mind now. There could be a couple of things, all connected to armwrestling, because it is my life. In 2010 I’ve won the European championships, I was very happy! My victory in 2012 was doubly pleasant. I’ve beaten a very tough opponent in a fight that I dedicated to my loved one, on her birthday. She’s doing armwrestling too now, and I’m more happy for her than I ever was for me. I think there are big things ahead of me …

Vasily Dautashvili, Georgian sportsman

My great moment in life was when I beat John Brzenk. I know he wasn’t in great shape back then, but still!. When I think of that da, a poem comes to my mind, “Eagle” by the Georgian poet Vazh Pshavel. That event taught me that there are no unbeatable obstacles in life. But still, I think there are only two kinds of armwrestlers in the world – John Brzenk and all the rest (laughs). I think the most important day hasn’t happened for me yet. I don’t know what it could be, I just know what I’d like.

Andrey Sushilov, referee

I’m so old that I cannot say for sure! There were many important moments in my life, they all had effect on who I am and what my life looks like. Even our contact affects me. In armwrestling, meeting Lobanov had a huge effect on me. Before that I was friends with fighters, but never thought of a sporting career. I’ve met Georgy by accident, when the first “Lugansk tiger” was launched, and Andrey Sharkov was the host. He took Lobanov for main referee, and me for company. We took a car to Lugansk and we’ve become friends on the way. Then it turned out that there was no other referee at the tournament and I got a proposition to act as one. I’ve been a referee ever since. Gregor always helped me. It seems as if it was my destiny, as a masters class international referee, to meet a guy like Lobanov.

The consequences are still in effect! I have a great friend! And I am able to communicate with the whole armwrestling family, which makes me very happy. Armwrestling is and addiction, hard to resist. It’s a great mobilizer. Makes you very concentrated and responsible.

Anastazja Kisilyova