Maybe you’ve heard of Leonid Zhabotinksy, Anatoli Pisarenko, and Sultan Rachmanov—three superior Ukrainian supers . . . each a legendary weightlifter.

This is a story that involves two of them, set in a Turkish bar, but it’s not about world record snatches, clean and jerks or Olympic gold medals—although this trio has major bragging rights in that territory. Rather, it’s about grip strength, pinch gripping in particular.

And speaking of lower arm strength, the moratorium on Red/Gold Nail certifications has been lifted effective today, following a review of the rules.

Weightlifting and and grip strength contests have taken me to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus over the years, and I have longstanding special relationships with both athletes and officials in all three of these countries so it is personally painful to watch what has been inflicted on Ukraine by two of its neighbors. 

Athletes are often pawns in a greater game and let it be known that IronMind has received statements from Russian athletes calling for peace with Ukraine, but until Russian troops have withdrawn from Ukraine, both Russia and Belarus are ineligible for IronMind certifications and world record attempts: Let this craziness be reeled in before greater harm is inflicted on so many innocent people.

Buy a Sultan’s Squeeze poster from IronMind, read the story, hang it on your wall and get inspired for some PR performances—take extra satisfaction in knowing that IronMind will donate $25 for each poster sold directly to humanitarian relief funds for Ukraine.

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