Story By: Anna Guran, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN/@kirilltereshin96
This oddball Russian ‘bodybuilder’ who developed huge Popeye-like biceps by injecting them with synthol oil is now begging for cash online to travel to the UK to save his deteriorating arms.
Kirill Tereshin, 22, dubbed ‘Popeye’ due to his beach ball-like biceps hanging off his otherwise skinny frame, told Central European News (CEN) in an exclusive interview that he is trying to raise funds to pay for the treatment.
He said: “I used to go to the gym for two years before being called up for military service. In the army, I was worried that I would have a hard time and lose weight so I decided to try synthol oil.
Pictures Credit: CEN/@kirilltereshin96 & CEN/@ruki_bazuki_official
“When I finished military service, I began to transform myself and did everything at home. My mum was very worried about what I was doing, but we are okay now that she knows synthol can be removed.
“In the beginning, I wanted to inject synthol oil into other parts of my body, but then the problems started and I stopped using it.”
Earlier this year, doctors warned Tereshin that he may end up with his arms being amputated.
The synthol injections reportedly caused tissue fibrosis followed by necrosis, seriously affecting his health, and ‘Popeye’ reportedly collapsed while taking part in a music video shoot for Russian singer Sultan Uragan.
He is now trying to raise money for treatment to completely remove the synthol oil from his arms.
Tereshin told CEN: “At the moment, my arms are in a bad state and are reddening. I have launched a fundraiser to see a doctor in Europe for treatment that costs around 3 million RUB (37,760 GBP).
“I would love to go the UK for it, but the most important thing is that the treatment is successful.”
‘Popeye’ also admitted that he has received a lot of media attention after developing his beach-ball biceps and posting unusual video clips on Instagram.
He said: “Online, many people treat me badly. In real life, they want to take photos with me.
“I am known in many countries and I am sure I have fans in the UK too.”
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