On November 2, during the East vs West 15, Oleg Petrenko will take the stage for much more than just a match against Devon Larratt. In a recent interview on the Engin Terzi channel, he revealed the true depth of his motivations: to prove that he is the best in the 105 kg category and, above all, to pay tribute to the memory of his mentor missing, Andrey Pushkar. For Oleg, this fight is not just a quest for personal glory, but an act of respect and loyalty to the one who inspired him throughout his career.
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Andrey Pushkar's defeat by Devon Larratt
In 2012, Andrey Pushkar and Devon Larratt faced off in a memorable left arm duel in Las Vegas, as part of Armfight #42 organized by the Professional Armwrestling League (PAL). This fight, contested in the “vendetta” format, was for the title of world champion in the +95 kg category.
Pushkar started strong by winning the first round, but the rest proved more difficult. Devon Larratt quickly took the upper hand, dominating the following rounds to finally win with a crushing score of 5 to 1. This landmark defeat left an indelible mark in the history of arm wrestling and in Pushkar's career.
The tragic death of Andrey Pushkar
Andrey Pushkar lost his life in a car accident while on his way to Kiev airport to participate in the 2018 edition of the Zloty Tur arm wrestling competition in Rumia. According to Oleg Petrenko, his protégé, Pushkar was in exceptional form, more motivated than ever at the idea of his next match against Denis Cyplenkov. His passing left a huge void in the world of arm wrestling, where he was recognized not only for his power, but also for his determination and competitive spirit.
During the Zloty Tur, the athletes paid tribute to Pushkar by wearing a black armband as a sign of mourning. In the absence of Andrey, Devon Larratt took on Denis Cyplenkov on the left arm. After his victory, Denis made a gesture of great nobility by offering the champion belt to Andrey's family, a poignant symbol of respect and recognition for the deceased legend.
Andrey Pushkar's legacy: Oleg Petrenko's revenge
Oleg Petrenko, trained under the tutelage of Andrey Pushkar, has never forgotten the 2012 duel between his mentor and Devon Larratt. At the time, he was only 16 years old, but the memory of Devon's domination of Pushkar remained etched in his mind. He recalls the frustration he felt watching that match, calling Andrey's loss almost humiliating. For Oleg, the November 2 match at the East vs West 15 represents much more than a simple sporting challenge: it is an opportunity to do justice to his mentor by taking his revenge on Larratt.
Devon Larratt, for his part, did not fail to reiterate his respect for the two men, while warning Oleg. He warned that the latter could well suffer the same fate as Andrey in 2012, or even worse. “If the match ends, it will be a long evening for you Oleg,” he said.
Oleg, far from being intimidated, responded with determination. He admitted he had a lot of respect for Devon, but warned that the latter should not be under any illusions: "You won't have time to talk during the match because you'll be too busy not to lose. » Determined not to give up, Oleg promised to fight to the end, refusing to consider giving up.
The battle promises to be intense, with a rivalry marked by the weight of history and the desire to avenge the memory of a lost mentor.
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