The National Circus in Kyiv recently hosted a competition of singular performers. Witnessed by an audience that included media people, the circus performers pulled off unique stunts that were entered into Ukraine’s Book of Records.
Stanislav Pidhursky was the first to step into the ring. He set three records in the category “Sports. Special Training” by doing ab slides full-length first with his left and then his right arm (10 times in 78 seconds). Then he did it with both hands on a wooden board, 25 times in one minute.
Circus strongmen Ihor and Denys Ilchenko displayed their Herculean strength in their numbers known as the “Live Pyramid” and “Live Carousel.” Denys pulled off his stunt at the second attempt, lifting seven instead of eight assistants, but his father Ihor had no trouble carrying his son Denys, two one-pood weights, and nine assistants to boot.
Ihor Ilchenko is known as Ukraine’s Hercules. He has performed as a circus strongman since 1991. He has several unique numbers to his credit. This time he performed his “Live Pyramid” at the Kyiv Circus that left the audience breathless with admiration — and he made his number more complicated by lying on the pedestal, with his feet and collarbone resting on the railing. There was a wooden board placed on his chest and the assistants stepped on it, putting the total of 850 kilograms of weight on his body. This proved to be a cinch for him.
After the competition The Day congratulated the athlete and asked when he performed his “Live Pyramid” the first time and what it was like.
Ihor Ilchenko: “It happened 17 years ago. The “Live Pyramid” was my first circus number and then I did not do it for a long time. I started working with machines and went on a number of tours. Half a year ago I decided to do the old number, making it more difficult. I began by lifting 500 kg and by now I have reached 850 kg. I work out five times a day.”
Do you come from a circus family?
“No, I was born in Horlivka. My father was a coal miner and my mother a secondary school principal. I dreamed of performing in the circus since I was a child, but before it came true I graduated from the Kyiv Shevchenko National University, majoring in philosophy.”
Then you could be described as a philosopher strongman?
“Probably, although a teaching job hasn’t agreed with me and the circus got the upper hand. I have no regrets about making an about turn in my life because I’m doing what I like most. I carefully prepare every number, analyzing everything and gradually increasing the weight to avoid body injuries. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to avoid them. It was when doing the ‘Live Pyramid’ that I torn ligaments and couldn’t walk for a month. I had to undergo a course of treatment, but I returned to the ring as soon I was back in shape.”
Is your son performing with you?
“Denys is 24 years old and has performed as a circus strongman for eight years now. My wife was opposed to his following into my footsteps; she wanted our son to be a doctor, yet the boy has performed in the ring since he was 13. He first acted as a juggler and tightrope walker. When he was 15, we toured Taiwan where Denys finally made up his mind to become a circus strongman.
“He performs a very complicated number. Holding seven people on a pipe and turning may seem easy to an onlooker. In actuality, few people can do this. Let someone try holding a metal bar and at least 100 kg of weight on their shoulders. Weightlifters and true strongmen know what I’m talking about.
“The barbell and live weight are not the same thing. The barbell is easier to handle, whereas people have different weight and they move, so there is some unbalance, and there is also the heavy pipe. This is very difficult. I wouldn’t even try to perform the “Live Carousel” number. Denys started by revolving girls on a pipe and then made it more difficult by lifting seven men weighing the total of 502 kg. This record has been documented.”
After the show the journalists were invited to the rehearsal gym where the three aerialists — Roman Tereshchenko, Hanna Pavolia, and Olena Borshchanska — performed their mind-boggling numbers. Hanna and Olena, aged 18 and 17 respectively, are former athletes, and it was their first public performance. Roman, aged 27, is a veteran. He has performed in circus shows with his parents, Oleksandr and Natalia Tereshchenko, since he was 15.
Roman did the first number in his career on the trapeze with his mother, filling in for his father who was recuperating from a body injury sustained during a circus tour. He did it during a foreign tour. Natalia says she was very nervous, but Roman seemed quite confident-although he was a minor and, according to the law, could not be involved in such a complicated number.
Roman dedicated his four latest record-setting numbers, aided by his gifted young female partners, to his parents (coaches). He continues the Tereshchenko circus dynasty and polishes his skills in Canada, where he performs with the Canadian world-reputed Cirque du Soleil.
After congratulating the artists and awarding them diplomas that confirm their feats, Volodymyr Shevchenko, artistic director and director general of Ukraine’s National Circus, said in an interview to The Day:
“These gymnasts have a thorny road to travel. Of course, they are young and they have set their records. This is great. Roman Tereshchenko has ten years of experience as an aerialist, yet his female partners are just getting prepared for a debut in the circus arena. The circus rings and the rehearsal gym are different things. There will be days when these artists will have to perform three times, which is very difficult. They aren’t probably totally aware of the fact that the circus means daily rehearsals, performances, and that receiving applause means backbreaking work. I wish them endurance and, of course, success.
“Their numbers are proof that the Ukrainian circus is not simply reviving, but also that it will surprise its audiences with original numbers and, at times, the fantastic abilities of its performers. After the New Year celebration, Christmas, and winter holidays we will introduce a new program starring our record-winning athletes.”
