Dmitry, tell us when and how did you come in armwrestling?
In 1994, as a student of 2nd year at the university, I got into armwrestling section to coach Petrenko Vladimir Alekseevich. So I am here. In 1995 I took part at the national championship at first, but unfortunately got only 6th place in the category 60 kg. The same year, in the 55 kg category I was 2nd on right hand and 3rd in 60 kg left hand. In 1997 I won in the 55 kg category on the right hand and in the category of 60 kg on left hand. The same year in Poprad (Slovakia) I got 2nd on the left hand in 50 kg class.
You are the first Ukrainian champion in armwrestling. How it was?
In the same 1997 in Guwahati (India) I have won two gold medals on the left and the right hands in 50 kg. Thus I became the first world champion in armwrestling from Ukraine.
How many times have you won at the European Championships and at the worlds?
During my career, I won 13 world championships and 22 European championships. In total I have 60 awards in various nominations today.
Is your life connected with sport at the non-competitive time for you? Do you have any students?
My whole life is connected with the sport, as well as research activities in sports and coaching. At the moment I am the head of the Department of Physical Education and Sports of the Kharkiv National University named after the city economy Beketov, PhD in physical education and sport. Of course, there are successes in coaching, I prepared the master of sports of Ukraine, and my student Irina Kozakiewich was the world champion in Alexandria (Egypt) in 2001.
Do you watch different the tournaments? What can you say about the last European Championship? How do you like Ukrainian national team?
Of course, I watch different competitions. We watched European Championship at the gym in live broadcasting. The level of competition, of course, is increasing from year to year, finals in each category were very interesting. I admitted Jambul Vibliani, whose age has passed away in 40, and he confidently wins 3 gold at the European Championship with athletes is much younger than he is, and he deserves a lot of respect. Ukrainian national team, unfortunately, lose its positions. But there are athletes who hold the position –Viktoria Ilyushina (she’s current leader of the Ukrainian national team), who in is hard match won the gold at the left hand and silver on the right; Aider Alidinov won the famous Romanian athlete Ion Onchesku on both hands and won 2 silver; Roman Rudnicki, whose age is over 40, has managed to win a bronze medal among adults.
You attended Igor Mazurenko’s seminar in Kiev. Did you learn something interesting and new from this event?
Coincidentally, I was in in Kiev. I was awarded the academic title of associate professor, and I went to get a certificate. On the same day Igor Mazurenko held a seminar, which I was able to attend. The seminar dealt with a very important issues related with the training process in armwrestling, it had proposed a new method of macrocycle planning. I also saw unique equipment for power testing of armwrestlers, which, I hope, will help make a breakthrough in the sport. In general, the seminar made a positive impression on me, the work of Igor Mazurenko is extremely important, because armwrestling knowledge is largely empirical in nature and Igor collects, analyzes and summarizes the practical knowledge and theory. I note that the style of presentation of information was very accessible even for beginners and athletes who already have experience both, it was very interesting to participate in a constructive discussion. We also discussed possible future co-authorship of the work on writing scientific and methodical publications.
What are your racing plans for the future?
At present I continue to train and plan to take part at the Ukrainian championship next year. I hope I can get into the team for international competitions. Unfortunately, this year I did not hit and did not participate in the European Championship.
Dmitry, thank you for the conversation!