Vitaly Safronov was banned from WAF for competing in an URPA event. This is first lifetime ban to athlete… for such behaviour.
”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.”
”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.”, replied Vitaly Safronov.
Source: xsportnews.com