After Morozov defeated Ermes Gasparini 4–1 at EVW 24, he called out Riekerd Bornman as a potential future opponent. Most of the community treated the callout as a humorous remark rather than a serious challenge.
However, Riekerd has recently responded, saying he is ready for a duel. This is what he stated: “If you don’t have any plans for December, I’ll be ready to fight you.”
Morozov also released a video in response, saying that he respects and admires Riekerd’s growth and wants to test him at the table.
Riekerd Bornman may be moving toward one of the biggest tests of his young armwrestling career, with a potential matchup against Artyom Morozov emerging after Bornman responded to the Kazakh heavyweight’s challenge.
The possibility has generated debate among fans, with some welcoming the matchup as an opportunity for Bornman to test himself against one of the sport’s elite heavyweights, while others question whether the South African is ready for such a challenge.
Bornman Continues His Rapid Rise
Bornman has established himself as one of the most promising young heavyweights in professional armwrestling. The South African has progressed rapidly through the international scene, building momentum with a series of impressive performances at East vs. West.
His victory over Alizhan Muratov at East vs. West 24 was among his most significant results. Bornman swept Muratov 3–0 on the right arm, demonstrating that he could compete against established international opposition.
He followed that performance with another 3–0 victory, defeating Filip Larsson at East vs. West 26 on September 12, 2026.
These results have strengthened Bornman’s standing in the superheavyweight division and raised questions about how far he can progress against the very best in the sport.
A match against Morozov, however, would represent a substantial step up in opposition.
Morozov Presents a Different Level of Challenge
Morozov is one of the most formidable superheavyweights in international armwrestling. The Kazakh puller has competed against some of the biggest names in the sport and possesses the strength and technical ability to challenge elite opponents.
His victory over Ermes Gasparini at East vs. West 24 was a major statement. Morozov won the right-arm supermatch 4–1 on June 6, 2026, reinforcing his position among the division’s leading competitors.
Morozov’s combination of hand control, back pressure and inside strength makes him a particularly difficult opponent to overcome. He can force opponents into uncomfortable positions while maintaining the structural strength needed to finish a match.
For Bornman, the challenge would be finding a way to prevent Morozov from establishing his preferred position from the opening round.
Can Bornman Give Morozov a Competitive Match?
The biggest question surrounding this potential matchup is whether Bornman’s strength can translate against an opponent of Morozov’s calibre.
Bornman has shown that he can overwhelm high-level opponents, but Morozov presents a different test. His experience against elite superheavyweights and his ability to apply pressure from advantageous positions could expose weaknesses that Bornman has not encountered in his recent matches.
Bornman’s hand and pronation would be particularly important. If he can maintain his wrist position and establish effective back pressure, he may be able to make Morozov work harder than expected.
However, securing a favourable position against Morozov is easier said than done. If the Kazakh establishes control early, Bornman could find himself defending rather than attacking.
The opening rounds would therefore be crucial. Bornman would need to demonstrate that he can resist Morozov’s initial surge and remain competitive when the match moves into less favourable positions.
Even if Bornman cannot secure the victory, a strong performance could provide valuable experience against one of the division’s leading athletes.
A Risky Matchup With Significant Rewards
There is an argument that Bornman should continue building his résumé against opponents closer to his current competitive level before facing Morozov.
A difficult defeat would not necessarily derail his progress, but it could reveal how much development remains before he can challenge for the highest positions in the division.
On the other hand, Bornman’s rapid rise suggests that he is willing to pursue ambitious challenges rather than take the safest route through the rankings.
For Morozov, the matchup would offer an opportunity to test an emerging super heavyweight who has been building momentum. It could also attract attention because of the contrast between an established elite competitor and one of the sport’s rising prospects.
Ultimately, the appeal of the contest depends on whether both athletes and the promotion believe the timing is right.
Will the Match Actually Happen?
For now, fans will have to wait for further developments before treating Bornman vs. Morozov as an official fixture.
The reported callout and subsequent discussion have put the potential matchup on the radar, but no confirmed date, venue or match terms have been established in the information currently available.
If the contest is finalised, it would offer Bornman an opportunity to measure his progress against one of the most dangerous opponents in the superheavyweight division.
how might this match go
Morozov was arguably in his strongest shape when he defeated the Gladiator, Ermes Gasparini, in a pretty dominant fashion, despite being considered the underdog due to his previous performances.
Morozov out-back-pressured Ermes, took his wrist, and yelled at him mid-pull—something no one had done before.
I know Riekerd is really strong, and his victory over Filip Larsson, who defeated Brad Grundy, who beat Matt Mask, tells us a lot about the level of the young man. However, the level at which Artyom operates in armwrestling is considerably higher than Riekerd’s. The amount of raw power Morozov brings to the table would cause problems for even the deadliest armwrestlers at EVW.
For Riekerd to win this match, he would have to be stronger than Morozov in at least one lane, and I don’t see one where he has the advantage as of now.
Is he stronger than Morozov in a toproll? No. Is he stronger than Morozov in a hook? No. Does he have more back pressure or side pressure than Morozov? No.
Personally, I don’t see a path to victory for Riekerd. But if this match happens, it would be really fun to watch.
What do you think?
