THE BIG "FIVE"

By Andrew Michalak

The first year of Elite Tour series has passed. We know the top players of the 2006 series. Taking into account the number of starts and the achieved results, the top "five" was as follows: Rolandas Pocius (Lithuania), Aliaksey Shabunia (Belarus), Robert Piotrkowicz (Poland), Lukas Osladil (Czech Republic) and Radoslav Slodkiewicz (Poland). And there are also two "single" winners: Stefan Orosz (Czech Republic) and Pavel Kirilenko (Russia). Let’s see what are the great stars doing now and whom can we expect to see on the stage in 2007 series.

Rolandas Pocius has been working hardly to prepare the top condition for the autumn contests. His dream is to win the super heavyweight class at the World Championships in Korea and then two play the key role in the Elite Tour shows.

Aliaksey Sahbaunia underwent the knee surgery and is during the recovery process but doesn’t expect to enter the stage this year.
Robert Piotrkowicz decided to start in the spring contests. He won the European Championships (100 kg class) and lost in the overall class to Pavel Kirilenko only. He also won international cups in Denmark and Belgium and placed 2nd (to Kirilenko) in the Elite Tour in Odessa. He will battle in the fall series as well.

Lukas Osladil decided to relax in spring but this "relax" means for him hard workouts and dieting to prepare to the fall series of contests. As the current World Championships runner-up, he dreams to be move one place up and also play key role in the Elite Tour series.
Radoslav Slodkiewicz got the positive doping test results at the 2006 World Championships in Ostrava, so has a break now but trains hardly to improve his muscularity. He will not be "visible" this year.

Stefan Orosz got a serious knee injury after his great success in the first Elite Tour in Kyiv and wanted to finish his competitive career. But he recovered fully and still consider to re-start his performances. He may surprise us and… the rivals.

Pavel Kirilenko has begun the 2007 spring season like a thunder, winning all contests, where he arrived and defeating all his main rivals. It seems that he will be a very demanding player for all top 2006 stars. Will 2007 be "The year of Pavel Kirilenko?" Everything is possible.

Robert Piotrkowicz and Pavel Kirilenko during the “Odessa battle” in May 2007. By Vladimir Dubinin

Rolandas Pocius and Aliaksey Shabunia after their victory in Tallinn, 2006. By Arnold Tokko

Radoslav Slodkiewicz and Aliaksey Shabunia compared in Tallinn, 2006. By Arnold Tokko

Lukas Osladil in his incredible shape in Tallinn, 2006. By Arnold Tokko

Stefan Orosz won the first show in Kyiv and… left. Will he be back in 2007 series?