IMPORTANT UPDATE: I updated this article with what Mircea Simionescu-Simicel (WAF General Secretary) commented about the article in a public facebook group. And I also added the answer of Vitaly Safronov to what Mircea Simionescu-Simicel commented.

I think this is a very important update because it shows a double standard: if you are with us, you are good, we support you and you represent Hungary… But if you don’t listen to us, we ban you, and then we say that the real reason is that you are actually from Ukraine…

Armwrestling Mircea Simionescu-Simicel ► Skandenbergul românesc
(Translated from Romanian): ” And this is a denigration and proof that PAL / URPA creates conflicts. The athlete is Ukrainian and they put the country Hungary just to instigate. He received a ban from the Hungarians because he did not represent them at all. In addition, he is an athlete from a Ukrainian organization in conflict with the waf member. Igor knows more 🙂 ”

Vitaly Safronov – reply: ” This is not an accurate statement. I have been living in Hungary permanently since 2012 – almost 7 years now. I now have a national Hungarian ID card and all rights of a citizen except for voting. My two kids were born in Hungary and they consider this country their Motherland. Furthermore I am 2016 Hungarian National Armwrestling Champion. At Senec Hand in 2017 I was vocally encouraged by WAF Vice President Attila Csabai – Head of Hungarian Federation and my respected Friend to pull under Hungarian Flag in the presence of Organizers of Senec Hand and Hungarian team members. Every Thursday for many years I pull at Polus Center in Budapest with my teammates – the main base for training of national team. I may not be a born Hungarian but my children are by heart and by spirit. This is where I belong and live permanently. The ban was imposed as I was told: because Hungarian Competitor participated in non Sanctioned event – which by default means that my honor to represent the Flag was recognized in the first place. What puzzles me most is how you can spread false statements without checking? I have not participated in any armwrestling event in Ukraine since maybe 2003. Sorry for the expressive message – it is getting too wrong here. ”

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I really love armwrestling… I think the only thing I’m starting to love more than armwrestling is the World Armwrestling Federation, and I think I’m not the only one… Yes, I’m being sarcastic of course…

XSportNews.com found out about the case of Vitaly Safronov who got a lifetime ban for competing at an URPA event banned by WAF: RIGA OPEN 2019. (See ► RESULTS: RIGA OPEN 2019, VIDEOS)

I’m really waiting for the rest of competitors from RIGA OPEN 2019 to receive a lifetime ban from WAF… Keeping it up like this, really soon only the WAF Executive board will get to do some armwrestling in their precious World Armwrestling Federation… 😉

Below you can read what Vitaly Safronov had to say about this, when he was asked by XSportNews.com… He is extremely peaceful, respectful and calm, considering what happened:

Vitaly Safronov: ” I highly respect my friends at Hungarian Federation and I do not want to mention any names specifically. Neither I have hard feelings nor do I question their reputation or dedication to growth of armwrestling locally and globally. Hungarian team has tremendous progress thanks to their efforts.

Nonetheless after my participation in Riga Open 2019 and my first URPA points here is what has happened:

I was approached by an official person, a friend of mine, who spoke on behalf of Head of Hungarian Federation. He literally mentioned that Federation has a contract with WAF where it is written that if any Hungarian competitor takes part in any URPA competition he is banned and he is not able to compete in any WAF event anymore.
Taking into account that every local event in Hungary is organized by Federation, I am banned everywhere here.
During clarification I was told that this is permanent unconditional lifetime ban.

Sorry but that’s all details I have as the message was quite short. ”

So what do you plan to do now ?

Vitaly Safronov: ” Well. Getting ready for Senec Hand. And as I am not welcome in armwrestling gym now where all my friends pull and train, I will arrange training place at home and invite closest friends to pull and enjoy barbeque :).

As a side note I was part of Ukrainian team and competed as Junior <18 y.o. at international level in late 1990s and early 2000s. Managed to become 4 times national Ukraine Junior champion and 2 times European WAF Junior champion (in Hungary, ironically and in Turkey). And got Silver at Worlds Juniour Championship in Senec.

So WAF bans me permanently without even checking that probably. I doubt that makes difference as I was not very active in WAF events after my Junior carrier. “