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On March 21, 2021, the international IBFF/WPF Victory CUP competition took place in Siedlce. Our ambassador, Artur Haras, took high places in the competition, so on this occasion we decided to ask him a few questions. If you also want to fight for your own dreams, be sure to read this interview.
Hi Artur, we have heard about your recent successes, before we get into specifics tell us – since you look great – do you feel like you are now in the best shape you have ever been?
I have to say that it is definitely like that. Many people consider this sport to be unmeasurable, but that is not true, because at my last start, with a very similar level of body fat, I had 2.5 kg less muscle. It is therefore very easy to say that I am on the plus side, because 2.5 kg in our sport is really a lot. The muscles are much more bulging and dense, and in addition, I managed not to lose my proportions. I was especially keen on a narrow waist. Most importantly, I feel great, my health and private life are great, so what more could you want?
Now tell us about the competitions you took part in. Some of our readers are not rooted in the subject of strength sports, so explain to us in a few sentences what exactly these competitions were?
In Bodybuilding there are a few federations competing with each other, or in other words, operating in parallel. I would compare it to boxing and the different Championship belts. For example, last year I won the bodybuilding debuts in the NPC federation, and now the VICTORY Cup competition of the IBF Poland federation.
Apart from them, there are others, such as the IFBB, PCA. There really is quite a bit of it. It is mainly about the form of competitors, that is what we are mainly talking about, about the strength of individual competitions. The Victory Cup competition was a direct elimination for the foreign competition "Predator" in Prague, Czech Republic and the World Championships in Slovenia in the same federation. So if I were to compare the rank of these competitions with another federation, it would be the Polish Cup in the IFBB, which is also an elimination for the national team for the International competitions.
And now the most important question: what places did you manage to achieve in the individual categories?
As for the results, they exceeded my wildest expectations. First, in my main competition, classic physics +177, I won my category. Then I won the Overall in the same category, which means I was the best among all competitors in that category.
Then, more for fun, because I was 5 kg short of the weight limit, I started in extreme bodybuilding up to 90 kg. I took 3rd place, a step away from 2nd place, which would have been really a dream come true. First place that day was definitely out of my reach.
And preparation? We realize that this is a very broad topic, but share with us at least a fragment of this secret: how did you manage to achieve such form?
Honestly, I keep saying that this sport is a marathon, not a sprint. It's important, to answer your question, because form doesn't come in one year, it's created all the time and that's what happened to me. However, if I had to mention something that allowed me to reach a higher level, it would be first of all changing my trainer to Maciek Kiełtyka, whom I greet. He showed me a completely different face of bodybuilding. Everything he does, he does with his head, there's simply no coincidence. I think the same now. Everything that happens to the body can be explained and everything can be remedied. He also introduced peace to my preparations. I didn't have to think about everything, he simply did it for me, and left me with the sports layer. Additionally, he created a really cool team in his Olkusz, which I'm sure will soon make its presence felt on the Polish scene. Mega positive people with great passion for what they do. I think that success is only a matter of time. Wilku also accompanied me to competitions, he brought mega positive energy, which transferred to everyone. I wish there were more people like him.
Were certain restrictions in diet and life in general difficult to endure during this process?
You've asked a key question now. The hardest thing was to reconcile my everyday professional life. I work at the Special School Complex No. 4 in Krakow. Fortunately, my job brings me no less satisfaction than my profession. I love working with our children, I honestly admit that when I'm on sick leave or after the weekend, I start to miss work. In recent weeks, I haven't been able to give it 100 percent because of the hard training and rigorous diet. That's when I had the most dilemmas in my head. Does what I'm doing make sense at all, or am I neglecting something that is valuable to me? Fortunately, I managed, I have to admit that during this difficult time, I was helped by the people working at the school, other teachers, administrative staff, the principal: all these people kept my spirits up.
Who was rooting for you and where did you get the motivation to achieve your goal?
Maybe I won't be groundbreaking here if I say that it was my other half: Patrycja. She was with me throughout this whole time, from the moment I decided to start, until I went on stage. She experienced all the ups and downs with me, and there were quite a few. She is not someone who is typically driven to the glass, I don't really like the hustle and bustle that accompanies competitions. But she did it for me, because she knew it was my dream. A great thing happened right after the results were announced, I was allowed to invite her to the podium for a group photo and a shared kiss. I would like to thank the organizers for that. I definitely wouldn't have even started in this competition without this person. If I had to mention anyone else, it would be the children I teach at school every day. They motivate me, I really feel that they believe in me. No matter what it is, I have their trust, which I try to never disappoint.
Who is your inspiration in the world of sports and bodybuilding?
In Poland it is Robert Lewandowski: a man who did something that until recently seemed impossible and his everyday life. This man is still insatiable for success. When it comes to bodybuilding it is definitely Chris Bumstedt Mr. Olympia in the category of classic physics. Why? It is an ideal figure.
What are your sports plans for the near future?
Now I'll surprise you, but I'm thinking about a completely different goal, e.g. marathon, crossfit games, runmagedon. I just need a big challenge and I promise I'll take it. That's how my whole life looked like and it definitely won't change.
What can you say to those who dream of a perfect figure and want to start fighting for it?
I think that if someone wants to do it wisely, they should contact a trainer of the discipline they want to practice for a simple reason: first, they will start doing it wisely, second, if we pay for something, there is a big chance that our resolution will be continued. I think that most of us suffer from weak will or short-lived enthusiasm and that would help. And if you are asking about the form of exercise, then really any form: gym, running, dancing, swimming; any form is good if we practice it systematically.
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