Rising Star From The East: Yaroslav Verba

Up-and-coming Ukrainian native Yaroslav Verba is tipped for greatness after topping podiums in 2019 back-to-back, so Flex sent in resident columnist Vincent Prado to get the low-down on what makes him tick.

FLEX: Our readers will be very interested to learn more about the strategies you utilised to reach such an outstanding level.

Verba: I’m honoured to be presented to the readers of such a prestigious mag. It is a great pleasure to address a new audience and maybe new fans. I wish all of you great and productive sessions!

RISING STAR

FLEX: 2019 exposed you to the international public, and in a few months your status completely changed!

Verba: Yes, this was an incredible season for me that took me from my provincial town in Ukraine to the world scene! All went exceptionally well and the prep itself went smoothly, with no incidents. It was very exciting to prepare for my first international competitions. The level of athletes I was on stage with was unprecedented to me, but I was ready and won every time.

FLEX: You won two key competitions in May and June 2019. Can you tell us more about these two major events?

Verba: Yes indeed! I competed at the Grand Prix Poland (PCA) on 11th and 12th May, and then at the Olympia Amateur in Alicante, Spain, on 8th and 9th June. The level of athletes and of the competitions themselves was so much higher than I had seen before, particularly at the NPC Amateur Olympia in Alicante. I was shocked by the conditioning of the guys in my category (102kg and over). They were massive and well-prepared, very high-level. When I first saw them, I began to doubt my own quality and I didn’t believe, right up until the last moment, that I could win!

That’s why I think it’s truly unnecessary to worry about the quality of your competition, because what you see backstage and what the judges see onstage are two totally different things.

FLEX: Tell us a bit about your background and stats?