The Professionals' World Cup is the most recognizable armwrestling event in the world. The organizer's invitation has been accepted by over 150 strongest people from over 26 countries and 6 continents, including Africa, South and North America, Australia, Europe and Asia. Men and women fought in various weight categories, both in left and right arm.
Silver in right arm, in up to 95 kg, was won by Michał Węglicki from Mława, who began his sports career from shot put, did some strongman, and is one of the most spectacularly fighting contestants in this tournament. His two fights, with Frenchman Aymerice Pradines, fought first in up to 95 kg, and then in OPEN category, will live in stories. Both fights had the same ending, with the Frenchman losing by elbow fouls, but the fights had everything that is armwrestling – spectacular attacks, desperate defenses, turns of events, variety of techniques. The public went wild and the fights could have been the main event of the evening, if not for the final fight of the OPEN. But more on that a little later.
The representative of Złoty Tur Gdynia club, Dawid Bartosiewicz, a vice-champion of the world, started in a very strong category, up to 78 kg. He placed 6th in left arm, but fought bravely and greatly in right, getting into the medal category, with one loss in eliminations. In the semi-final, he faced Shynbolat Raikhanov from Kazakhstan. This was a long an spectacular fight. Dawid was the first to attack, but his rival put up a long defense, with his arm bent almost double, showing great strength. Dawid pressed on, but got tired and his rival countered and turned the tables. Bartosiewicz's arm was too tired to oppose this attack.
A one of a kind performance was put up by Andrey Pushkar from Ukraine. It seemed like this multiple world champion fought in a class of his own, unopposed. Both in 95 + kg, and in OPEN - left and right arm, he beat his opponents easily. His fights ended momentarily, and it was a great symbol of his might when an Italian opponent, David Cappa, approaching the table, took a knee before Pushkar and begged for merciful punishment.
It seemed like the OPEN category will be a one-sided rivalry, when Dymitry Trubin, a 2011 world champion from Kazakhstan, approached the table. Both met each other in the eliminations, and the Ukrainian won flawlessly each time. But, as it turned out, this was a trick by the Kazakhstan contestant. In the finals, when Pushkar attacked, to his surprise his opponent countered easily and went for a break. In straps it was more of the same – Pushkar attacks, Trubin defends, counters, the whole table is shaking and suddenly Pushkar has his elbow off the pad – the fight has to be repeated. This time it's a foul for Trubin, third time's the charm. Pushkar knows by now this is serious. Pushkar goes all out, but Trubin saves in the last moment and regains position. He attacked, but the referees broke up the fight – Trubin had a second elbow foul and he lost.
The audience and the Kazakhstan coach demanded a camera replay. The situation couldn't be decided either way, both contestants went for a last round, with the emotions at the highest peak. The fight went up top, Trubin had the initiative, he built his offense slowly, but made a mistake and took his elbow off the pad, no doubts this time. Andrey Pushkar won the OPEN in both arms!
- Trubin totally surprised me, he had some great tactics, both in finals and before. I was lulled by my easy wins, I did not expect his real strength. I'm going to need an IV drip now, I cannot feel my arm – said a happy Pushkar after the fight.
- Trubin lacked experience to pull an upset – said Alexey Voevoda, three-times world armwrestling champion and Olympic bobsled champion. - Pushkar is insanely strong, I cannot wait to get back to armwrestling and face guys like him, and Trubin, and Tim Bresnan, or Dymitri Silaev. I am very happy with this dynamic development of the sport, this is mainly thanks to FAP, who not only organizes the best events, but also promotes the sport among young people.
The legendary Russian is an armwrestling icon, three-times world champ, multiple winer of the World Cup, undefeated for years, who at the top of his career switched to ... bobsleds. He advanced quickly and went on to join the Russian national team in Sotchi, where he won two golds! In Rumia, Voevoda was a special guest, his first fight is planned for January 2016, at ArmFight Vendetta. This is the second most important armwrestling event in the world, Voevoda will face Tim Bresnan from USA. Another Zloty Tur is coming next year, probably also in Rumia.
Organizers: Rumia City, FOR DREAM Rumia Foundation, Mazurenko Armwrestling Promotion by license of Professional Armwrestling League USA Inc., PFRON.
KJ
