Andrei Sharkov Shines at LA FitExpo

Andrei Sharkov came to California from Crimea to compete in the Odd Haugen grip contest at the Los Angeles FitExpo—Sharkov pulled this 210-kg lift to win the IronMind Apollon’s Axle, a venerated event in the grip strength world. IronMind® | ©Randall J. Strossen photo Andrei Sharkov came to California from Crimea to compete in the Odd Haugen grip contest at the Los Angeles FitExpo—Sharkov pulled this 210-kg lift to win the IronMind Apollon’s Axle, a venerated event in the grip strength world. IronMind® | ©Randall J. Strossen photo

For Andrei Sharkov, the long trip from Crimea to California was worth its distance in gold because Sharkov took top honors on the prestigious IronMind Apollon’s Axle (double overhand deadlift) in Odd Haugen’s grip contest at the 2017 Los Angeles FitExpo.

Not that Sharkov’s victory was a cakewalk: three men made the top weight, 110 kg, but Sharkov, at 271 lb. (123 kg), was the lightest, which gave him the gold.

“I knew that the tournament Odd Haugen Strength Classic would have the strongest athletes, so was not expecting an easy fight. Very glad I got to win in this discipline, and for me it is a great honor. I am proud that I was able bring to my home, in Crimea (Russia, the trophy for first place in the IronMind Apollon Axle,” Sharkov told IronMind.



“I came to the United States for the fifth time, and I can say that I really like the friendly attitude of the people, like the country, and a special thank you and Odd Haugen and Randall Strossen for the organization of this magnificent event. If it is within my power, I will come again and again.

“In the tournament Odd Haugen Strength Classic I made 210 kg, my best result of 2016 at the APL Armlilfting World Championships APL, I made 215 kg. My plan is take part in May at the 2017 Armlifting World Championships in St. Petersburg, and my goal will be to raise 215-220 kg.

“And, of course, I go to the competition in order to meet up with friends from the US team, and am looking forward to seeing you in Russia,” said Sharkov.

 


Time to celebrate: Andrei Sharkov knew it was a big lift . . . how big? It gave him the victory on the IronMind Apollon’s Axle at the 2017 Los Angeles FitExpo. IronMind® | ©Randall J. Strossen photo


                                  ###



You can also follow IronMind on Twitter and on Facebook.                        



Want to talk grip, strongman, weightlifting . . . everything strength? Visit the IronMind Forum

Captains of Crush® Hand Grippers


Captains of Crush grippers: the gold standard of grippers
The gold standard of grippers.

The fastest route to the strongest grip.

MILO®: Strength


MILO-25.3a
Universal power broker

We deal in kilos and meters, pounds and feet.

Strong-Enough™ Lifting Straps


IronMind: Strong-Enough Lifting Straps: Most popular" at WSM. Proven daily by the world's strongest men.

Proven daily by the world's strongest men.

If you're not using IronMind lifting straps, you're not lifting as much as you could be.

Expand-Your-Hand Bands


Expand-Your-Hand Bands
Say goodbye to tennis elbow

Prevent, eliminate or reduce tennis elbow and associated pains. Simple, fun and effective.