Bogdan Stepaniuk set the national record of Ukraine “The largest number of push-ups from the floor on one arm in 30 seconds.” He managed to do it 50 times, ahead of the previous winner Evgeny Pilipenko from the Chernihiv region by 15 times.
From adolescence, the guy knew how to show character and set himself ambitious goals. Pressing on one hand for speed is a technically difficult exercise, it was important not to lose physical shape. And the athlete trained hard… The record of Ukraine during the war is another opportunity to prove that Ukrainians are the strongest nation and we cannot be broken. The athlete dedicated the record to our defenders, each of whom is a hero.
- Somewhere in the seventh grade, classmates began to insult me, but since I grew up without a father, I lacked self-confidence and the ability to defend myself, - told Bohdan Stepanyuk. - For example, they called me “moron” or something else, I stood silently and did not know what to answer. It got me so morally that I didn’t even want to go to school … But one day I happened to see the film “Kickboxer”, where Jean-Claude Van Damme played the main role. In the final, he defeats his opponents and they begin to respect him. And I also wanted that respect. Therefore, I went to the horting section - these are, roughly speaking, fights without rules. Honestly, for a year I was the worst pet of the group, I almost did not succeed. But two years later, he became one of the best athletes in the gym. I was on par with much older people who had experience and accomplishments.
- What is the phenomenon?
“I wanted to prove that I was the best. Not only in the gym, but in life. I bought a punching bag and hung it on a tree near the house, often worked with it. He did push-ups from the floor, from the horizontal bar. Just. Because it was interesting. And at the age of 16, he defeated all rivals in the hall at competitions. After that, the boxing coach invited me to the championship of the Kyiv region. There I happened to be a professional athlete, I did not have such achievements. Then I lost on points, but other guys came up and said that they were surprised by my skills. I had no fear … I just went to the opponent and did my job. Then he won the championship of the Kyiv region in fights without rules. But I had to lose four kilograms, I trained in a sweatshirt, thermal underwear, and was on a diet. I remember how the coach, when we were going to the competition, asked everyone in which round we would win. All answered that in the first. But of the eight athletes, only I succeeded. I knocked out my opponent in about 24 seconds. I was incredibly proud of myself. At some point, I decided that I must definitely go down in the history of Ukraine, which, in fact, happened … But the path was thorny.
At the age of 18, I had to give up sports, because I need to earn a living. He worked as a loader, then as an operator in the slot machine hall, after - at the enterprise for the production of wooden cards. So he earned money to study at the school of barbers - men’s hairdressers. Got every master to learn. It worked in the end. Now I work in a rather popular Frisor barbershop in Kyiv. I get great pleasure from my work.
How did you get the idea to set this physically difficult record?
- Somehow I came across a video in which Bruce Lee does push-ups on two fingers of one hand. Decided to try it myself. Nothing happened, I couldn’t even stand on two fingers. I did push-ups on one arm - it came out three times. Then every day I began to increase the number and so it reached 20 times. It took four months for this. In fact, everyone can do it, the main thing is to do it constantly. Outwardly, I am thin, but I was lucky with the genes - I have rather sinewy muscles.
When I entered in the search “record for spinning on one arm”, I found this: the guy completed 35 times in 30 seconds eight years ago. And I was on fire to break the record. Thought it would be cool when it worked out. I wrote to my coach Mikhail Lakey, who willingly agreed to help me, for which I am incredibly grateful to him. Every weekend for three months from Kyiv, where I live now, I went to train at seven in the morning in Irpen. First warm-up, then push-ups as quickly as possible on one arm. Like ten times. And completed very slowly, too much. To a certain extent, it tempered me, gave me energy and strength. I planned to do 40 times, and when setting a record, I did push-ups as much as I could. Didn’t count. At the last moment, I realized that I was no longer feeling the left hand on which I leaned. Has stopped. The result was 50 times! For me, this figure was cosmic.
See also: Ukrainian strongman nicknamed the Giant set a new world record
- I know that it was fundamental for you to set this record in Irpin, although there were proposals to do this in Kyiv. Why?
- I left my city on March 12, I know what happened there. The city was courageously defended by representatives of the territorial defense - people whom I personally know. And they did it with rifles, with ordinary helmets, bulletproof vests that easily pierce bullets. I believe that it was Irpin who saved Kyiv from the Rashists, and our heroic people did it. This record is also for them. I, an ordinary guy, not a professional athlete, managed to achieve my goal, and in the spring of 2022 they were able to protect the city and the capital from the enemy. This is the essence of my record, that’s what I wanted to show them.
- Could you do push-ups on your left hand?
No, I can only do a couple of times. It’s simple, I’m right handed. But if you train a lot, then you could do it on the left. As does every person. The main thing is desire, patience, not to give up. By the way, I’m already preparing for the second record, it will be similar, but bigger! Preparation will take up to a year, but I’m sure everything will work out.
See also: Alexey Novikov became the strongest man in Europe and called on the public to honor the memory of Ukrainian soldiers
Do you follow the right diet to maintain excellent physical shape?
- About a year is not sweet at all, I drink coffee and tea without sugar, I do not add salt to dishes. After waking up, I drink water. I buy vitamins on the advice of my grandfather. For example, fish oil, thanks to which the skin shines, the hair is shiny, the stomach works well. After 20:00 they only have salads - with cabbage, carrots, herbs, apples. Now I weigh 55 kilograms with a height of 173 centimeters. Although others say that I look like 65 kilograms, that is, I have a fairly athletic physique. Sports, a healthy lifestyle and genetics - this is the whole secret.
Earlier reported that the master of sports in powerlifting, multiple winner of the championship of Ukraine in strongman Andrey Dmitriev from Sumy died in the war with the Russians.
Photo provided by Bohdan Stepanyuk
Source: Fakty
I am currently working as a news website author at Daily News Hack. I mostly cover trending news and have been doing so for quite some time now. I have always had a keen interest in current affairs and the world around me, which is what led me to my current job.
I firmly believe that the best way to learn about something is by doing it yourself and that is why I love my job so much. It allows me to be constantly learning about new things and then sharing that knowledge with others.
I am also a big believer in the power of networking and building relationships. I think that LinkedIn is a great platform for connecting with like-minded people from all over the world.
