How did you start armwrestling?

By accident, when I joined a gym in 2009. It was there that my future coach, Lado Hucisvili, noticed me. He kept saying my arms were made for armwrestling. He got me interested, so I started to train. I did no strength sports before, I was too weak. The first time I tried, I couldn't even do one pullup on a bar. I weighed 85 kg back then. Later I started watching armwrestling videos on the Internet and that's how it started. John Brzenk became my hero. He never stops surprising me with his talent and love for the sport.

How often do you train? Do you have a special plan?

I train 5 times a week, I have no special plan, I use no tricks. I work out alone or with my buddies, Wasilij Dautashvili, Rezo Lutidze and Katie Topuria. You could say I am my own coach. I train with weights and at the table. Both types of training are necessary. When i have a tournament coming, I work more at the table; between tournaments I do 1 – 2 table trainings a week.

When preparing for a tournament, do you focus on your particular opponent?

Of course I do. I train for the guy I'm going to fight.

After a fight I always analyze my weaknesses, which I still have a lot of.

Who do you think is the strongest armwrestler these days?

This is a tough question, I actually couldn't name one wrestler for certain, but in my opinion, Denis Tsyplenkov might be the strongest.

How often do you fight? Are there any worthy opponents in Georgia?

For the past 2 years I have fought only in Europeans and Worlds. I have many worthy rivals, like Genadij Kvikvinia and Rezo Lutidze, who is coming back after a two years' break.

Do you plan to go into professional armwrestling?

I've been feeling like a pro for a long time now in this sport, but I think the division into pro and amateur is unfair. I do doping tests two times a year, so I am a pro. I plan to start in commercial tournaments. I want to to go Zloty Tur, and if I am ever invited to a Vendetta – I will go too. I'd like to wrestle Dave Chaffee.

You already have a place among the best heavyweights in the world. What would you like to say to your fans and potential opponents?

I want to wish all the best in the New Year to all armwrestling fans, and to thank them for the support I get at tournaments and in life. To my opponents – train and be healthy!

Anastazja Kisilyova