Brest Armwrestler won 6 gold medals at the international tournament Mr. Olympia in the USA

Brest armwrestler Victor Bratchena won six gold medals at the prestigious international tournament Mr. Olympia, which was held on September 25-26 in Las Vegas. Honored Master of Sports, multiple world and European champion became the first Brest wrestler to perform at this venue. Now the athlete is only returning home, but he has already shared his first impressions of the victory with sb.by.

More than 100 athletes in different categories participated in the tournament. The organizers gave Victor Bratchen the opportunity to appear in several elite divisions at once. For two days, the Belarusian played on the right and left hands and won all the categories in which he fought.

The athlete won gold awards among masters in weight categories up to 75 and up to 85 kilograms, as well as among professionals in the weight category up to 75 kilograms. Thus, Brestman returns from Las Vegas with the maximum result - six wins and six gold medals.

Victor himself speaks calmly about his achievement. Behind his shoulders are dozens of major international tournaments, so the victory for him is not an accidental emotional outburst, but a natural result of a long and precisely built preparation:

- Fortunately, I no longer have any sense of joy. I won the World Cup 24 times, the European Championship 20 times and the World Cup 19 times. After so many years, sport is perceived as a clear professional work. You come, you program yourself to be the best, and you have to do the job. If you know in advance what result you are going to, then after the victory you feel not surprise, but satisfaction from the fact that you did everything correctly and almost perfectly. That's the feeling I have right now.

Behind the external confidence - a strict training regime and constant work with your own condition. According to the armwrestler, the outcome of the fight is determined not only by the strength of the opponent. Equally important are the physical shape, psychological attitude and the absence of injuries that can prevent you to show maximum at the table.

At Mr. Olympia, the Brest resident arrived in optimal condition. This tournament became both an independent big goal and an important stage in preparation for the next international start

- I always believe that the outcome depends primarily on yourself: how you prepared and tuned in. I came to Las Vegas in good shape because I am already preparing for the World Cup in New Delhi. Now I will not become stronger in the remaining time, so the main task is to keep in shape and tune in correctly. In India I will compete in the weight category up to 80 kilograms. I want to enjoy the trip, but the food, of course, only after the victory. It is important to come to the table healthy and show your true level.

Support Victor at the tournament came natives of Brest, living in the United States, and their American friends. According to the athlete, the presence of fellow countrymen helped to feel that even thousands of kilometers from home he is not alone.

Special thanks to the champion addressed Andrei Lyashchuk, a native of Brest, who lives in the United States and took over the organization of the trip, as well as partners who help him prepare for international competitions:

- I am grateful to everyone who supported me in the room. It was very nice to see the natives of Brest and their American friends who came to cheer for the Belarusian athlete. Special thanks to Andrey Lyashchuk: he fully took over the organizational issues related to this trip. Ahead of the world championship in India, the trip to which is supported by the sports management of the Brest regional executive committee. When you have people behind you who believe in your results, it gives you an additional responsibility to perform with dignity.

Victor Bratchenya participates and wins both in Paralympic competitions and in tournaments among athletes without disabilities. As a child, due to problems with the musculoskeletal system, doctors doubted that he would be able to walk on his own. Today, the Honored Master of Sports has dozens of titles at the World and European Championships, and now six gold medals of the legendary Mr. Olympia.

The athlete will not have to stay long after returning to Brest. The next goal has already been determined: from October 26 to November 7, the World Cup will be held in New Delhi. The victory in Las Vegas confirmed that Victor Bratchena is in optimal shape for the main start of the season.

Photo: personal archive of Victor Bratceni