He’s coming back!

The weekend of July 21-22, 2007, was marked by various sports competitions in Ukraine. In Kyiv, the largest number of spectators gathered under the Arch of the People’s Friendship, the site of the IFSA Strongman 2007 European Championships to name the strongest man in Europe.

There were six events. After a warm-up and a light massage to demonstrate the competitors’ striking musculature, the contenders took their places. The first event was the medley, the so- called Farmers Walk. The competitors had to carry a 300 kg well and three loads of 100 kg. For the Serbian athlete Ervin Katona this turned out to be an insurmountable obstacle. “The weather isn’t its best today and Ukrainians have always been the strongest in this event. Besides, this sport isn’t too popular in my country,” the Serb said, explaining his defeat.

Anders Johansson of Sweden and Vasyl Virastiuk (Ukraine) covered the 25-m distance with their heavy burden almost at the same time, although the Ukrainian clocked several seconds ahead.

“I was very afraid to slip on the wet grass,” Virastiuk told journalists later.

The spectators cheered the athletes, yelling: “Go! Go!” However, they were mostly chanting, “Virastiuk! Virastiuk!” This is only natural because he is their fellow countryman. Vasyl measured up and won almost all the events. When it came to lifting the 200 kg atlas stone, he couldn’t get it off the floor and lost to the Latvian contender. Instead he easily tossed the 170 kg atlas stone in the air six times, something no other athlete could do. After that the contenders competed in the Viking Press, a shoulder pressing event during which the athlete presses up a weighted contraption that is pivoting up and down at a joint on the other end; and Truck Pulling. Here too our Vasyl was the best.

“How could I lose, especially in Ukraine? My fellow countrymen would boo me and shower me with rotten cucumbers and tomatoes. Actually, this is my first European championship and I’m happy about my instant victory,” Virastiuk said.

The Ukrainian champion decided to thank his fans for their emotional support by presenting them with his boxer shorts and T- shirt. He took them off right on the podium and clad only in shorts, tossed them into the crowd. The lucky ones who caught them clutched them to their chest to prevent people from stealing them.

By winning the IFSA Strongman 2007 European Championships, Vasyl Virastiuk has made his contribution to the Ukrainian national team’s treasure trove and now stands a chance of winning the world finals in Seoul (South Korea).