Dette ble postet av Milos Sarcev på getbig:
First, I would like to say that I had a privilege to spend a few days with Russian bodybuilding sensation - Alexander Fedorov.
It was truly enlightening experience that I would remember for the rest of my life.
This young gentelmen impressed me in many ways - not just as a phenomenal bodybuilder but also as a wonderful human being.
Today, my moderator Antonio informed me about some posts that certain IFBB professionals were posting on other forums - where they openly criticize Alex and making derogatory statements about him and his physique.
Well, I would like to put just some things in prospective and not for the reason to answer to my colleagues (IFBB pro's who made those statements) - as I am ashamed of them, but for all the bodybuilding fans that read those posts.
First, Alexander won the overall IFBB European Amateur championships in may of 2003.
He completely dominated competition and easily won the title.
The same year he entered numerous shows and won every single one of them.
Shortly after the European Championships he had serious injury as he tore his chest muscle benching over 500 pounds...
He had complete tear of his chest muscle that prevented him from training - but he made a commitment to enter IFBB Pro Russian Grand Prix and three more Amateur shows in Russia.
He came to Moscow to represent his country in competition against the best bodybuilders in the World (Ronnie and Jay...) handicapped with his very limited ability to train and prepare correctly.
At the athletes meeting day before the show - Wayne offered him a pro card (Russian federation only needed to suggest him to Wayne and he would receive the card as a National champion). He refused it.
Both Wayne and myself told him that he would have very good chance to possibly qualify for the 2004 Mr. Olympia by placing in the top three.
He said - he understand that and he appreciates the offer, but he gave his word to promotors of Amateur shows in Russia that he is going to compete - and as a man of his word he simply has to be there.
At the 2003 Russian Grand Prix Alex placed third (qualifying spot for Mr. Olympia) and gave run for his money even to a great Jay Cutler ( he beat Jay in muscularity round on many Judges score sheets).
Just to mention - he won overall titles in all three remaining shows practically uncontested.
In the beginning of the 2004 he went for his reattachment surgery - just to find out that severity of his tear was never seen in the history of medical practice in Russia.
Doctors had to make a miracle - and they did what they could - but warned Alex NOT to even attempt to move his arm for months - or he would risk the tear again.
He was immobilized in cast and he could not train at all for months.
Unfortunately - he got infected and that just complicated things even further.
As they took the cast away he realized tremendous muscle atrophy on his right side (delts, back, arms...). He now laughs when he talks about it - but he certainly thought at that time that his competitive career was over. As example he told me that his right arm shrinked to 16" (while the left was 22").
He started training exactly three months before the 2004 Russian Grand Prix - and he absolutely could not do any pressing move for more than a month.
Chest training was limited to almost nothing - and for those of you that train - I am sure you can imagine how was his training for other body parts - as he was terrified that he could tear his chest again.
Still, Alex was offered special invitation for the 2004 Mr. Olympia and he started training - but he would NOT accept special invitation - he wanted to earn his Olympia spot.
He realized that it would be probably impossible - but he was determined to try to get in shape in less than 12 weeks!
Just week before the show - he decided to enter - and he placed second to Ronnie and qualified for the 2005 Mr. Olympia.
He knows that he was not at his best, but his goal was to earn that qualification and he did just that.
As I was suggesting him that some of the poses he could/should do differently (IMO) he confessed to me - that he simply CANNOT due to unbearable pain and great risk to stretch some fibers and break the wires that hold his chest.
You can only imagine how was he able to train when he couldn't even pose!?
Now, he has to take at least two more months of mandatory break (as advised by doctors) before he would start his Mr. Olympia contest preparation!
He never complained, he never wanted anybody to know this - he doesn't respond to negative comments. He explained it to me - and I am the one that feels that some people should hear this before they make their judgments.
He was super respectfull as he talked about all the pros that competed in Russia ( Ronnie, Jay, Troy, Art, Rodney, Johny, Claude, Kris...and others).
As I asked him about his opinion about some of them - he almost always answered - they are all great!
He never asked for any hype - he simply got it as some experts do see unbelievable potential that he has.
I am certain that Alex will show up at the Olympia in his all time best - and I am sure that many people would realize that this giant DOES HAVE A POTENTIAL TO GO ALL THE WAY...or as FLEX cover puts it: Alex Fedorov - good enough to win it all!?
I would give respect when it's due and this young gentelmen unquestionably deserves it.
