The most immediate issue in armwrestling is financing. Fortunately, this sport is not without the support of enthusiasts, who keep it going. The financial shortcomings have led it to be a luxury sport, though. It might do well in big cities, but outside of them the situation is at a standstill. It’s like this in many countries, Especially Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Fortunately, there are people acting for the good of the sport. One of them is Alexander Stebelyak, candidate for Master of Sports in armwrestling, ten times champion of Kiev, founder of the “Cossack power” armwrestling club.

Alexander, tell us about the beginnings of the “Cossack power”?

The idea was to combine our national traditions and a healthy hobby, to draw people’s attention and make them think about health as a common issue, not an individual one.

TV nowadays promotes sex and drink abuse, often throwing some drugs into the mix. In the autumn of 2009 my friends decided to breathe some life into the armwrestling life of Kiev, organizing a tournament. I’ve told them they should name it “Cossack fame”, but after a discussion we’ve decided to change it to “Cossack power”. A few years ago, when we were choosing the name of our club, I remembered that idea, it was perfect for us.

What date was that?

I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time, but I couldn’t find the right place. The impulse came by accident, when I was thrown out of the gym that I’ve been a customer of for 10 years. That happened because I’ve beaten the president of the gym in armwrestling, winning 200 $. The funny thing is, a few years before that I’ve lost a 100$ in the same way, but I just shook the hand of the winner and just asked for a rematch some time. He agreed after 7 years, double the stakes. So after I was thrown out, I’ve decided to build my own gym. That’s how “Cossack power” was born, January 2014.

What is “Cossack power” today?

It’s a meeting platform for armwrestling fans. We train in a cosy room, near the “Minskaya” metro station in Kiev. We have three regular tables, one machine table, grips, blocks, pulleys, dumbbells, barbells. We also have a machine of our own craftsmen’ design – a unique apparatus for designing all possible fighting trajectories without much effort.

Who trains in the “Cossack power”?

Each of our sportsmen is our pride and joy. It used to be only a couple of people, now it’s 40. I’m the coach. Our mission – raise a new generation of sportsmen. We want to be the top of Kiev, and then take on the international arena. I boast five medalists, winners of Ukraine cups.

Where does the club get its finances?

Our country does nothing for armwrestlers. We have an entrance fee for trainings, which is our main source of financing. Sometimes we have to pay from our own pocket, too, to make the rent. We have no other support. We’re not doing it for profit. We want to teach the next generations about the value of sports. In armwrestling, we have the goal to beat the opponent in an armfight. But to achieve that goal, one has to set themselves other goals too, priorities that help one influence people in a positive way. It’s always important to remain human.

Alexander Stebelyak trains people despite any shortcomings. His students follow his example with enthusiasm.

Artur Grigorian