- INTRO

Hello everyone!
- Currently I’m in Stoltman’s brothers Gym
- Fancy and outstanding Gym
- And here I’m recording video, my story about how I competed, my impressions, my
emotional feelings and so on.

- The first exercise - “Axle Clean and Press” as you may know I have no belly and I have
issues with this exercise
- Those who have been subscribed to my channel for long time can see video where I have
been struggling with Axel a lot.
- But maxing out Axle is very taxing unlike repping Axle which is more comfy for me.
- Ok, the weight sequence is next: 170 kg -190 kg – 205 kg-WR attempt 217 kg
- It’s time to enter, we were going around in the circle, I’m the last but Tom Stoltman and
Iron Biby
- When we started off overheading, there were plenty of “No lifts”, I was shocked
- Aivars is complete athlete, but I saw that he was unable to tackle Axel and as a result got
“No lift”
- I was worrying, warming up went smoothly for athletes, 155 kg was my last warming up
set but, to be honest, I was not super confident with 155 kg and that was not the easiest
one. The opener – 170 kg non-revolving, fixed axle and I had to find the way out,
contrary to the revolving axle while was warming up
- Thanks to organizers, we’ve got classy and grippy T- Shirts and it helped us a lot while
doing this exercise.
- So, I overheaded my opener pretty confidently even though a little bit wobbling off the
chest, but in general I’m pleased with this attempt. After reviewing photos I saw my axle
grip had been a bit unbalanced.
- Great! I escaped “NoLift”, so that 5 or 6 points were in my pocket.
- 190 kg discovered even more “No lifts” than expected”. Wow! I was surprised that Top
athletes hadn’t been able to tackle this implement.
- It was my turn to overhead 190 kg and I did clean easily. Ok! Then I was a bit stucked:
“What should I do next?” Later I push pressed it, still got no idea whether it was ok or not
since being stressed, so that I could not recall that experience.
- Super! Wonderful! I kept competing and collecting points even though it’s not my the
best event and have issues in it.
- 205 kg . After 190 kg I did boost my confidence and felt that I was able to overhead 205
kg, but “No way”. Tom and I were still in the game, and I came up with idea that Tom is
my main opponent. Of course, Iron Biby was off the chart in this event, brute force.
Pressing 190 kg like nothing, it is mind blowing. Hats off!
- And the next exercise was “Hercules Hold”. I tried to hold it before comps with main
aim to find comfortable position. Ok, I got idea that it was light! Effortless!
-Later asked guys: “What is true loading?”
-“150 kg” – they responded
Weird! 150 kg were truly effortless at that moment.
But when my turn was in place and “Hercules hold ”off supporting mechanism, I did feel
real challenge for my grip.
- Referee counted 20.. 40 while I was holding, later on, my left hand started slipping off,
even though right hand was solid and fixed, I dropped implements almost immediately
without any fight.
- 53 seconds is my improved result in comparison with my previous performance.
Great! I have a positive trend in this event.
- My training handles should be a bit thinner and weight – heavier on my “Hercules”
machine. So that I will change them and got even more training ideas how to train this
particular event.
- I got new skills and experience! Splendid! I’m pleased with the result, may be not that
one I was looking for.
- 60 seconds or so - top results, to be honest
- I was not mile away from that result; it is a pity, lost valuable points, but Ok.
- Basically I’m satisfied

- Then third exercise – “Deadlift”.

- 360 kg Deadlift for reps, seemed to me all was great and clear, but there were some
challenging moment I had to take into account while was competing.
- Here show kept going, 5000 or 6000 spectators were awaiting, therefore it was
unacceptable to hold spectators on for long, otherwise show is getting boring
- So it’s clear we have time limits to warm up
- In fact, I did manage to pull 2 warming sets
- Yes, 2 sets, 1st set was 205 kg for 3 reps, 2nd one -310 kg for 3 reps as well.
- And then – 360 kg, in general I was not warmed up, but all competitors were in the same
boat.
- And yes, I could not complain, but the idea I had in my mind: “Didn’t manage to warm
up thoroughly!”
But it’s Ok.
- Here we go to pull and my understanding was that Tom had pulled 3 reps, Luke – 3 reps.
- My main opponent was Tom at that moment and 3 reps I was able to pull
- So that I kicked my ass and it was advantage for myself.
- I entered platform with Adam Bishop who is really excellent deadlifter, for reps in
particular. The same to me, I do reps better than max.
- Started off 360 kg deadlift and seemed to me – “easy”.
- After 3d rep the idea came to my mind: “Wow! I can!”, later pulled a few reps.
- Usually we count reps in our heads and keep control over your opponent.
- Some time has been passed; I stood up and felt that my tank is empty. 6 reps on the table.
- Bishop was already strap off, and for some particular moment I felt recharged and gave a
try for 1 more rep and on the knee level stucked and time’s up.
- To be honest, I barely pulled that rep
- And what are disadvantages of such deadlift? What factors did affect my performance?
- Maybe you’ve seen when I pulled the bar, it became displaced in comparison to its initial
position due to implement’s design, therefore I had to change my starting position and
leverages each time.
- It was a bit challenging for me but, in general, I pulled 6 solid reps - the second best
result, got valuable points and significantly changed tournament table to my favor.

- Fourth exercise – “Frame carry”.

- 400 kg. Straps are allowed.
- After the deadlift I felt awkward, probably you saw that I was coughing, about to get
gaseous.
- By the way, I was a bit sick, cough, blood pressure - skyrocketed and so on
- And I did understand we were running out of time, nobody was going to warm up.
- But we had a frame and I started off my warming up.
- My sets were 200 kg, 300 kg, 370 kg and that was enough.
- The main idea was to get the frame balanced, choose the right pace and rhythm. Before
the official start and referee whistle, I tried to walk with the frame and got sound idea
how it should be carried.
- That what I said, maybe I’m wrong, but my training timber is heavier than 300 kg, maybe
it’s rough data, not sure.
- At least my grandpapa claimed such a weight.
- Actual weight is still unknown. I need to calibrate my frame’s weight. It is really heavy,
because when I ran with 370 kg frame and with 400 kg at the sanctioned meet in London,
I felt no difference.
- Maybe I’ve got adrenalin extra boost and was encouraged, therefore felt no difference in
30 kg?
- Finally, head to head with Adam Bishop who is WR holder in this event, 8.26 sec per 20
m course.
- And I have a strong desire to beat this WR.
- Needless to say that we competed at Royal Albert Hall Arena in London – the most
prestigious Arena in England. But it’s antique, and here, some peculiarities with the deck,
so that I did pay attention to that and later ignored.
- When I started running, I made I mistake – lost balance, the precious seconds were lost as
well. While we were racing, I had a solid understanding that Adam was behind, but WR
wouldn’t have been broken in this race.
- In general, I was glad to win event.
- After reviewing the video, I saw that I had accelerated through the 20m distance.
- To sum up in case I’m ready and mistakes are avoided, weight is fixed, then eventually I
will be able to beat this WR at the next meet.
- And hope it will be!
- The public is awesome, the comps environment is brilliant!
- Later I stood up on timber, the public was crying!
- Awesome impressions!
- Cool! Very Cool!
- I was very disappointed when the referee told me that WR had not been broken.
- Unfortunately! Сhin up! It’s a sport and something unpredictable may take place!
-

- Fifth exercise –the final exercise “Atlas stones”.

- One of my favorite exercise. The first place was at stake! Small mistake could cost a
Winner. I was anxious because stone may roll out of the platform and then drop.
- I can be confused and out of focus and determination.
- To make a mistake while running fast Atlas stones ladder is easy money and as a result to
jeopardize whole comps final result.
- Usually I’m worried and nervous before that event!
- Initially I knew that I had to be in front of Iron Biby and chase away Evan “T-Rex”
Singleton.
- I had to be quick!
- Meanwhile I was awaiting my entrance, they told me that Iron Biby was about to out of
comps due to biceps injury
- In general, It’s wise decision for him. Moreover, Atlas stones event is not his favorite
event!
- I was worried regarding the first stone, because it is light, but the platform is high at the
same time.
- In my gym, I train 120 kg stone like putting it on my knees and the due to the powerful
triple extension push it to the platform.
- At the comps was totally another story, my contenders told me that first stone is very
light. I observed that my contenders were doing the first stone effortless.
- Ok, it’s my turn to give a shot. Before my entrance, I asked officials whether I can try it?
- As a result I’ve got an extra confidence boost and calmed down.
- The next stones – 2nd, 3d, 4th, 5th. It is clear enough how to proceed with them.
- But I had concerns with the 1st stone because the platform height is pretty high, 170 cm
- 1st platform seemed to me was taller than I am at the time of comps
- But it is what it is!
- Ok, here we go me and Evan –the first stone I was faster, the second – him, I was little
out of focus: “What is hell going on?”
- Started keeping the pace to match Evan, later referees reviewed photo finish and their
verdict: “Evan was a hair ahead of me”.
- Yeah, Evan run the atlas stone ladder brilliant! Congratulations!
- I should train for that particular event, because to put the stone on the platform with vigor
is not enough, I have to put it in the platform’s hole being fast at the same time.
- Therefore, I’ve got a new task for my future training sessions.
- Seemed to me I was 2.5 or 2 points ahead of Evan before the last event.
- I understood that I could be defeated but there was off chance that someone was able shot
the gap between us.
- So for that particular meet it was crucial to see who was crowned to the overall winner
after “Atlas Stones”!
- Meanwhile point’s calculations revealed my winner! I won! I was on the seventh sky!
Awesome! Great! Happy!

- My comps impressions are off the chart, there is super video material, I think they will be
inserted if needed!
- That is obvious! 5000 spectators, Classy Building, super environment!
I felt the energy of crowd while competing, something unbelievable!
- That is why I do enjoy and relish competing at Giants Live stage!
- None of comps give me the same emotions like Giants Live, because there full stadiums,
concert halls are involved where you are relished, recharged with energy!
- Spectators are excited! Powerful environment!
- After awarding ceremony I’ve got 2 or so hours and we signed T-shirts, magazines, so
after comps were done and I was being hungry and exhausted.
- That’s great comps organizers provide us water and food, but it’s very challenging for me
to stay hungry.
- I have been glad to meet people for the first hour, then I came up with fact it was getting
even more challenging, but it’s part of my job.
- I’m very pleased that people cheers us, It could have been worse in case no public
support.
- It’s all done for people and I’m relished to be part of that process.
- I do like what I can do!
- Got plenty of letters from my supporters and I’m very pleased with this. It’s crucially
important for me.
- Thank you very much for being in my corner!
- I keep working and hope all will be good for everyone!
- Everyone lifted! Everyone hugged!