I am not only happy that Dmitriy take part in the interview, but the best thing is that he started the SteelBendRussia project.
In the past I was a big fan of the Iron Grip Bars who also had the calibrated steel with great quality. Now the calibrated bars are back with a new cert in form of SteelBendRussia and the quality is great. Very good bars and also the leather pads are just perfect. The whole optic and the details are very well worked. So huge thanks Dmitriy for doing all the work for us benders and steel bending in general.
It was also the idea of Dmitriy to exchange parcels with our steel to get them to russia and germany some months ago. Due to fucking political issues we can´t pay each other for our steel, but we can send parcels again all over the world. So a great idea from Dmitriy. We hope that in the future it will be normal again to send and receive money in russia, but nevertheless they can´t divide brothers of steel worldwide.
So check out the website of: SteelBendRussia and support this project.
Thanks Dmitriy for taking part in the interview and the interesting insights:
Name:
Dmitriy Anisimov
Year of birth:
1990
Height:
190cm
Weight
67kg
Location:
Ivanovo - Russia
Occupation:
installer of stretch ceilings
Relationship Status:
Married. Two children.
Question 01:
What does steel bending mean to you?
The bending of steel never leaves my head. This is a passion that increases with each new victory. Amazing and strong people are engaged in bending. It's a long way, and I'm at the beginning of it.
Question 02:
When and why did you start steel bending and what does or did your active time look like?
We can say that it happened by accident about 8 years ago. I'll tell you in order. We have a very athletic family. My father and brother are strong athletes. We always worry about each other and appreciate sporting achievements. So on the day my father turned 50, I decided to surprise him. Make a 200 mm x 6 mm Sotsky knot from two nails. I did it for 20 minutes, but I got my way. My father was very happy for me. Since then I started practicing flexion.
For several years I bent and broke nails, made various shapes out of them, bent frying pans, etc. About a year ago I tried to bend calibrated steel according to generally accepted rules. At that moment, all my achievements in bending iron lost value for me. And a new world opened up before me.
Question 03:
What do you love about steel bending?
The moment when I'm left alone with a piece of steel. I put the phone on the "in flight" mode. I forget about all the cases and all the problems. And the next few minutes become the most important in my life. These are amazing feelings!
Bending unites cool and strong people who are dedicated to their work. They will always help with advice and support. It's great to be part of this big and friendly family!
Question 04:
What do you hate about steel bending?
If we talk about the sports component, then, of course, I hate injuries. It's amazing how a small wound on my index finger can affect my results in DOH.
Speaking of bending in general, it upsets me that it is not popular enough. Only a small part of people understand its essence. It's not fair! Bending is a full–fledged sport with clear rules and it must develop.
The more athletes bend steel, the higher the competition. So we will see even more feats of strength. I am sure that we do not yet know the limit of human capabilities in this sport.
Question 05:
How does your training for steel bending look like?
I try to set a goal for several sessions ahead at once. After that, I plan intermediate goals for each session. Usually the bending session lasts about an hour. I don't do long warm-ups, but immediately get to work. To prepare my hands, I bend a few light bars. Then I move on to the target rod. The workout went perfectly if I beat the two limit bars for me.
At each subsequent bending session, I work with a rod that is more difficult than the previous one.
I try to train 4 times a week. I would like to study every day, but I know that it is impossible. It is necessary to protect the ligaments and give them time to recover. Twice a year, to support the body, I take a multivitamin complex of group B.
Question 06:
How does your other training look like (strength or other)?
I have been involved in many sports in my life. Hand-to-hand combat, wrestling, judo, mountaineering, basketball. But, unfortunately, there is no time lately. The development of the Steelbendrussia project takes a lot of effort. Only sometimes I do strength and coordination exercises. I like challenging and extreme tasks.
Question 07:
What goals have you set for yourself?
I am a realist and I understand that my possibilities are not unlimited. Now I am close to defeating the Horrido bolt 8.8 in doubles. And I also want to become a universal bender. My goal is to bend Red Nail in three different styles: Double Overhand, Double Underhand, Reverse.
Question 08:
What was the most impressive bend you ever saw (live or on video)?
The strongest impressions are left by the records that are made in front of your eyes. Unfortunately, steel brothers can rarely communicate in person. However, on January 5, 2023, Alexander Denisovsky came to visit our family. We had a joint training session. Alexander has long wanted to bend a rod with a load of 135 kg with his bare hands. This moment has come. The whole family gathered in our home gym. There was silence. I saw Alexander getting ready, and then he started bending. After 29 seconds, he destroyed the bar. I was shocked by the energy and professionalism. You will probably agree that this is a very strong result!
Question 09:
Rapid stuff – choose one
Bolts or steel?
Steel
Unbraced or braced?
Unbraced
Singles or doubles?
singles sometimes doubles
Chalk or not?
Chalk
Beer or water?
Water
Cordura or leather or both?
Cordura
Short bars or long bars?
Short bars
Horseshoes or flat bars?
Horseshoes
Chips or chocolate?
Chocolate
Question 10:
The last words belong to you. What do you want the reader take away? Let us know your poems of steel!
I think it's unfair that bending is practically unknown to most people. I want to change that. That's why I created the Steelbendrussia project. Now athletes have access to high-quality calibrated steel. In addition, they can find out which of them is stronger in a particular style of bending.
It is important that the Steelbendrussia project was created not only for experienced athletes, but also for beginners. To popularize bending, there are always light load bars in the assortment. I want to increase this line even more.
I try to do as much as possible to make the bending more popular. I always have a set of rods nearby so that anyone can test themselves and get interested in this sport.
In the end, I want to thank my family and friends for their constant support. Everyone who helps me work on the Steelbendrussia project. I am glad that I am part of a friendly international family of steel brothers.
Of course, I am grateful to Jan Heller for giving me the opportunity to speak out on the pages of his blog. I believe that this will contribute to the promotion of my project, and therefore to the development of bending as a whole.