2015 even before it started, already promised to be a landmark for the worldarmwrestling. President of the Professional Armwrestling League PAL Igor Mazurenko in a recent interview literally "blew up" not only audiences, but also the rest of the armrestlers’ world with his video message: professional or amateur way of armwrestling?

We decided to ask the athletes about the development of our sport and the first who shared his opinion with us was the repeated winner of championships and cups of Ukraine, winner of the prestigious Nemiroff Professional World Cup, World Armwrestling Championship silver medalist in 2001 and 2010, world-class athlete - Eugene Litovtsev!

I.I .

: Are the athletes in armwrestling professionals or amateurs?

EL .: I believe that the truth is in the middle. Boxing has professionals and amateurs. There are two kinds of basketball - NBA and Olympic. Ask basketball player, where he wants to play, he will answer - I want to get into the NBA. NBA is a big money. Amateur   division is just a source of manpower.

I.I .: Who do you consider yourself an amateur or a professional?

EL .: You know, it's a hobby turning into a diagnosis. And it demands long and difficult treatment (laughs).

I.I .: Is there a difference in the training plans of amateur and professional?

EL.: It’s hard to say what kind of "tolerance" will the professionals have in terms of pharmacological training ... good amateur is a good professional. Unique amateur, such as Oleg Zhoh - will be a great professional.

I.I .: Does Armwrestling have a chance to become an Olympic sport?

EL .: There is always a chance. The question is when and why, perhaps, Paralympic armwrestling has more chances.

I.I .: Eugene, last year you were awarded by Sumy Mayor Diploma for success in the international arena as a coach, tell me, how was it?

EL .: Nikolay Pedorenko, wheelchair athlete, took two second places left and right hands at the World Cup qualifying Master of Sports of International Class standard. He was training persistently and has shown up a good result.

I.I .: Is there a modern armwrestling "Mecca", as in professional boxing?

EL .: Until recently, I thought that there wasn’t any, but today the situation has changed. Armwrestling Mecca at the early years of armwrestling development, now and in the future will be in the United States. And PAL has opened its office in America, so this shows a good future trend.

I.I .: What tournaments are the most preferred for the professional athlete?

EL .: Based on the characteristics of athletes, armfights promoters should select the optimal format of the meeting.

I.I .: What are the main obstacles on the way of professional armwrestling?

EL .: Media is the main problem. We have to be on TV, Internet, in all kinds of media.

I.I .: We know that you have participated in competitions at various levels. Which tournament you can call your favorite?

EL .: I like the "movement" in the World’s and Europe, big teams, more athletes - the better. I do not like championships with three-people-teams.

I.I .: What are the most professional competitors in your category, someone you could highlight?

EL .: I like versatile athletes, intelligent, interesting. Kostadinov is strong, Laletin is gifted, but monotonous. John Brezenk - is beyond the competition and the number one of my top.

I.I .: What armfight was the most successful for you, which arfights you can remember in you career?

EL .: Chermen Khadayev, Terence Operman, Rasul Chotchaev - all matches with these athletes were spectacular, and I remember them now.

I.I .: The big guys are increasingly losing weight, I remember your fight with Tovmasyan in Lotoshino, in 2014, was it hard for you? And why?

EL .: Not hard, but I went to a duel relaxed, lost control.

I.I .: What do you think about his preparedness level?

EL .: Remarkable level for his weight! Who doubts it, I recommend to compete with him (smiles).

I.I .: Who do you want to meet at the table?

EL .: There are many. John Brezenk on the left hand - taken his manner of fighting it would be an interesting bout, I believe. I lost to Chapukhyan on Europe, lost to him on fouls, fight wasn’t long enough for me.

I.I .: Do you want to fight among the "pros", including Armfight duels?

EL .: Yes, I love this system, I'm tough, and I use several fighting styles.

I.I .: What were the most memorable and resonant events in armwrestling?

EL .: I remember tables fly to the viewers hall at some of the European Championships. One of the athletes spat at the judge on the first day of competition, the next day, the judge gave him a defeat without a fight and the athlete got mad and threw the table in the auditorium. Resonantly.

I.I .: Which of аmericans you believe "the coolest" today?

EL .: It’s Chaffee. Tougher than Laratt - dimensions, weight, leverage. Laratt is weaker. In the armfight system advantage is on his side, but in a conventional system - at Chaffee’s.

I.I .: Your secret of success in armwrestling in one sentence?

EL .: Perseverance and never give up.

I.I .: How important is science in our sport?

EL .: Science is very important as well as technical and physical preparedness.

I.I .: What are your favorite, media athletes from other sports?

EL .: Dennis Rodman from the NBA. Shocking, extraordinary, playing at the highest level, starred in the films. A good example of a successful pro.

I.I .: Thank you for the interview and a short blitz for you:

Biceps or brachioradialis? 

Brachioradialis.

Top or hook? 

Top.

Win by fouls or fighting to the end?

Fight to the end.

Especially for armpower.net, talked Ilya Izman.