He left no chance to anyone of his well-known rivals. He defeated everyone and got a gold medal home. Let us introduce Arif Ertem.

When and how did you start armwrestling?

– I started armwrestling in 2009. At that time I was just starting to do some bodybuilding and there were armwrestlers in the gym that I was going. I just wanted to try and that is how I met armwrestling. And 2 months later I have competed Junior National Championship to take fourth place with both hands.

What are your biggest accomplishments in armwrestling so far?

– J18 +80 kg Silver medal in WAF 2010, J21 +90 kg Gold medal both in 2013 EAC, WAF Senior +110 kg,  Bronze medal with both hands in 2015 EAC, Senior +110 kg Bronze medal with left arm in 2015 WAF, Balkan’s League Silver Medal in 2015, Senior +110 kg Gold medal with right arm and Silver medal with left arm in 2016 EAC.

What are your short and long term goals?

– Right I am focused on the upcoming World Championships in Bulgaria. I want my succes from EAC to continue. To do better with my left arm I increased my trainings up to 6 days a week. Then my next plan is: everyone would want to become the best and to become the best you must beat the best. My long term goal is to compete against the ones who are ranked as the best ones and to prove that I can place at the top.

I am making my plans for long term with small steps and I am not in rush neither I have any set front of me.

Who is the opponent that you would like to pull the most?

– This list would be a long one but the name who is at the top of this list is Tim Bresnan. Bresnan is a good and strong armwrestler and I would like to meet against him in an Armfight.

Is there any unforgetable match that you had in your career?

– Yes there is, In 2015 EAC the long match that I had against Levan Sagiashvili. I had to pull against him in a way that I had not pulled before and I had to pull the match with a dead wrist and won after a long battle. Levan is a very strong opponent and this was the toughest match I have ever had, I got tired after this battle and settled with 3 place there.

What else do you beside armwrestling?

– I have a Gym in İstanbul, and we give service both for armwrestling and fitness. I am also training athletes here and do my own trainings as well. I have graduated from Sports Academy to become Physical Education teacher and I plan to work in this area next year.

– Do you plan to compete Zloty Tur this year?

Yes! I will have a short time to rest and train after WAF so I will rest a bit and then prepare for Zloty. I would like to be motivated for Zloty by getting a good result at WAF.

Was it just good luck or he is really strongest armwresler? We will know soon and wish Arif make his best!

Interview by Engin Terzi