Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland. This was the XII Zloty Tur, and IX Professionals' World Cup.

The cup formula offers more excitement and emotions to the audience than any other event in martial sports. Since 2007, the fights are fought with both arms, each contestant has two chances. Placing in the first four of weights categories (86, 95, +95 kg) equals entering the OPEN category. In Nemiroff World Cup no match-ups are done, so it may happen that pretenders to the podium will meet each other in the first fight. This makes for huge emotions in the Cup!

XII Złoty Tur

IX World Cup

NEMIROFF WORLD CUP 2011

Since Igor Mazurenko made it possible for armwrestlers from all over the world to meet in Poland, our tournament changes into an arena for the “War of Two Worlds”. The “Western” and the “Eastern” world. Each has its own legends and its own heroes. Great individualities arrive to fight at the Nemiroff World Cup. Its for them that each consecutive tournament is better than the last. In 2011 the teasers of the event caused great excitement. The return of Travis Bagent, last year's ruthless domination by Cyplenkov, Andrey Pushkar and Arsen Liliev coming to the tournament - all great news for the spectators.

But not only the contestants get to be the heroes of the event. In 2011 also referee David Shead will have his jubilee – 25 years at the armwrestling table!

Legendary John Brzenk, because of an injury, came to the tournament in two roles: coach of American team and commentator.

Question mark

Denis Cyplenkov in Sopot, at the Nemiroff Woeld Cup 2010, won both the tournament days, winning the OPEN in both arms. No one has done that before! The fans all asked the same question: will anyone take at least one cup away from him? Pushkar was the one mentioned the most often.

The first day, Denis won in +95 kg, but that was just a prelude to the OPEN category in left arm. In here, the key part was played by a guy lighter by 40 kg than all the others!

Rustam Babaev in the lead!

The key role in first day, left arm, was played by a Ukrainian - Rustam Babayev. Rustam won his category without even breaking a sweat, and in OPEN he fought the fight of the night with Denis.

Denis went all out, he was almost pinning his opponent, but Rustam held against him, stopped him and kept his arm right above the pad.

This went on until the fight was broken up. The referee (wrongly) called Denis's win. All audience rose from their chairs to protest and boo. Babayev showed the monitor and said he hasn't lost this fight – calmly, matter- of fact, just to point it out for all to see. The refs watched the rerun, and the fight was re-started. This time Denis was more accurate and pinned Rustam right to the pad, but it cost him a lot of strength.

This is a fight many won't forget. Denis lost to Andrey, he was too weakened. Andrey, calm and collected, gave him no chance, he came and he conquered!

Andrey Pushkar was the hero of the day, but it was Rustam who did most of the work to take Denis's strength.

Day two

Day two, exactly at 20.12 Denis beat Pushkar easily in the finals of +95 kg. The time came for fight six of OPEN eliminations in right arm. 20.48 – GO! And Pushkar wins with Denis flawlessly. 21.30, both finish off their opponents and finally stand against each other in right arm OPEN category of Nemiroff World Cup. Denis wins!

New champion Zoloev!

The black horse of the tournament – Zoloev, becomes a new champion in OPEN (with Rustam Babaev). Babaev felt this fight, both psychologically and physically, though he wasn't showing it. He took last place in OPEN, for the first time in his career. His fight with Jerry Cadorette is history. After Nemiroff 2011, the USA fighters verified their “domination” a little. One of the reasons for this was what Zoloev did to Cadorette.

Champ Jagnesak!

It's worth to mention the road to victory in 95 kg of the Slovak contestant, Lubomir Jagnesak. He won flawlessly, even though he had an operation recently. It was for right arm, but still – he was weakened, had some time off training, and then could train only for one side, which could influence his condition.

The experts saw his potential for a long time. His style now shows the influence of his trainer, Rustam Babaev.

Champ Liliev!

He fought like mad and entered the finals without a loss. He dominated right arm, 95 kg. Then he wanted to go on into the OPEN. Alas! After his win in the finals, he struck the table so hard he had to resign.

During the Nemiroff World Cup 2012 we saw over a thousand fights. Many rivalries have not been yet closed. The rivalry between USA, Ukraine and Russia still goes on. The winter and spring season of 2012 brought us more events and armfights.

Piotr Szymanowski