Arguably the strongest arm wrestler who ever lived, Denis Sepilinov is arguably the strongest. He has been a champion in the sport of arm wrestling for decades and was also a strong competitor.
Here is a quick summary of the career of the strongest athlete in arm wrestling Denis Cyplenkov. Detailing his arm wrestling career, as well as his strong career, and recent health problems.
Early life of Denis Cyplenkov
Denis Cyplenkov was born in Ukraine but has always identified as a Russian citizen. Throughout his athletics career, Cyplenkov has always represented Russia.
As a child, Dennis has always been remarkably strong with impressive genetics. These gifts will motivate Cyplenkov to pursue a career in power sports.
During his teenage years, he would begin his training and become inhumanly strong.
Denis Selenkov’s career is a weightlifter and strongman
Before Dennis got into arm wrestling, he was an accomplished powerlifter and strongman. Weightlifting was the first strength sport Cyplenkov was into.
He will participate in various regional meetings across Ukraine and Russia. Even setting records all the way.
His career highs for major lifts include:
- Squat: 750 lbs (340 kg)
- Seat: 640 lbs (290 kg)
- Deadlift: 705 lbs (320 kg)
While Denis competed in weightlifting, he was also one of the strongest strongmen in all of Russia. He was going to participate in strongman competitions when he was introduced to Russia and became famous.
Dennis will become a member of the Russian national strength team. As part of the Russian national team, Cyplenkov believes that this was when he became a strong player.
He specifically does grueling kettlebell training under head coach Yakimenko. While competing in strongman, he will be featured in many televised events and win or medal in many of those events.
Lifting world records Denis Selenkov
As a professional weightlifter, Cyplenkov held two world records during his career. One for a stern curl and another scored for a standing curl iron.
His record for the stern curl was 250 pounds (113 kg), which broke the record previously held by C.T. Fletcher. Dennis broke that record in 2015 and will hold it until 2021, when it will be broken by Leroy Walker.
Still Cyplenkov’s other record in static iron curls is 375 pounds (170 kg).
Arm wrestling career of Denis Selenkov
Dennis got involved in the sport of arm wrestling at the age of 14, but didn’t fully commit to the sport until years later. After making achievements in strongman and weightlifting, Cyplenkov shifted his focus to arm wrestling.
Cyplenkov’s Early Competition
From the moment Cyplenkov began competing in arm wrestling, he would find success. He will start winning many regional competitions across Ukraine and Russia.
Use his brute force to dominate his opponents. Within a few years after the start of his career, Denis won the Russian arm wrestling title.
When Cyplenkov made his international debut, all eyes were on him. He will once again use his superior strength to overcome the competition.
Dennis had made it to the finals, but found out that he couldn’t win by force alone. Arm wrestling legend John Brzynk dominated the Russian Mutants in their first encounter. They sweep the Russians in their first series to win another title.
Cyplenkov begins training under Kote Razmadze
Cyplenkov had the genetic talents for size and strength, but was missing the technical aspects of arm wrestlers. To learn the technical aspects of arm wrestling, he will start training under the famous arm wrestling coach Kote Razmadze.
Kote Razmadze is considered one of the best arm wrestling coaches in the history of the sport. Prior to Cyplenkov, he coached the legendary Alex Voyevoda and turned Alex into one of the best players of all time.
Denis Cyplenkov reigned supreme
After training with Razmadze, Cyplenkov became one of the best arm wrestlers in the world. He would have an impressive reign as one of the best arm wrestlers from 2008 to 2014.
He made his debut in 2008 against multi-time champion Andrzej Pushkar. The Ukrainian dominated his left hand 6-0 to make a statement to the arm wrestling world.
After this event, Cyplenkov competed in 2008 and 2009 Nemiroff World Cup. One of the most prestigious tournaments in all of arm wrestling.
Cyplinkov dominated the left handed teams losing only to John Brzynk in the right handed match.
This second loss to Brzenik would motivate Cyplenkov to become one of the best arm wrestlers in the world. Then he started beating some of the best arm wrestlers in the world.
During the series, Dennis would defeat legends like Andre Pushkar, and Richard Lubics, and avenge his two losses against John Brzenk.
One of the most impressive parts of Cyplenkov’s career is his dominance over Devon Larratt. at a highly publicized Vendetta All Stars Arm Wrestling event.
The Russian monster will shock the crowd as he manhandled Larat to win 6 straight matches. After the matches, Larratt said “In arm wrestling, you have everyone else… and then you have Dennis.”
Arm wrestling training for Denis Selenkov
Denis strictly follows the regime he was taught during his training with the Russian national team. Using a lot of bell and compound movements to build and maintain his strength.
He also blends technical and private training with what he learned under Kot Razmadze. Do a lot of cable weight exercises to mimic the motion of an arm wrestling match. Also many exercises focus on the biceps, which Dennis feels is the basis of his strength.
Dennis loves to do his specific training during his training camps for competitions. Russian mutants love to hold 3-month camps, where they can focus specifically on an event.
Russian mutant Denis Selenkov’s style and genetics
The first thing you notice about Cyplenkov are his ridiculously large hands. He has one of the largest hands in the world which measures 9.5 inches (24 cm).
These enormous hands and strength gave him an incredible advantage in the sport of arm wrestling. Not to mention his 24-inch (62 cm) biceps and 18-inch (48 cm) forearms.
Needless to say, Dennis’ superior strength and large hand gave him an edge in the sport of arm wrestling. His brute strength and hand strength made him a dominant competitor.
Dennis is known for his raw power, but he also learned the technical aspects of arm wrestling. He mixed his brute strength and hand/forearm control to win decades of arm wrestling titles.
Denis Selenkov health issues
In recent years, Denise has been dealing with a number of health issues. He said his years of intense training were starting to take a toll on his body.
Dennis ruptured a blood vessel near his kidney which required periods. Because of this disease, Cyplenkov caused him to develop neuritis, as a result of which half of his face was paralyzed.
He would have had these operations prior to the 2020 pandemic, but he would also have contracted the virus multiple times. Cyplenkov will recover from Covid, but will reduce his health.
These health concerns took their toll on the body of the Russian strongman. His competition weight was around 300 pounds, but he’s now down to 270 pounds after health concerns.
Cyplenkov hopes to return next year, but says it all depends on whether his health improves. But he stated that he only has 50% of his strength and can’t currently do his intense arm wrestling conditioning.
Legacy of Denis Selenkov
Even if we never see Denis Selenkov compete in the sport of arm wrestling again, he is already considered a legend. The Russian Mutant is one of the winningest Russian arm wrestlers in history and an accomplished strongman.
Arm wrestling fans would love to see Cyplenkov get back in shape and keep winning. But if his career were to end, he would still be considered one of the best arm wrestlers of all time.