Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency:  Golder’s News And Sport 

Video Credit: Golders/@nataliya.amazonka

This world champion bodybuilder has said she does not care that her muscleman husband has much smaller biceps than her because “mutual love and support” are the only things that matter in a happy relationship.

Russian powerlifter Nataliya Kuznetsova, 28, who comes from the city of Chita in the south-eastern Russian region of Chita Oblast, started going to the gym when she was 14 as her dad thought it would improve her self-esteem.

In an exclusive interview with Golder’s News and Sport, Kuznetsova said: “I was a timid little mouse when I was growing up.”

Kuznetsova, who met her muscleman husband, Yusif Eyvazov, 42, a decade ago, also said that she does not care that he has smaller biceps than her.

She said that “mutual love and support” are the key ingredients for a happy relationship.

As an awkward teen, the bodybuilder said she weighed around 40 kilogrammes (6.3 stone) compared to her current weight of 90 kilogrammes (14.2 stone).

She said that she “never dreamed about a career in sports”, adding that her first coach at school helped her to embark on the path of bodybuilding.

Kuznetsova said: “He influenced my future massively. Just like everyone else, I first went to the gym without a desired goal, but after three months my trainer asked me if I wanted to take part in a bodybuilding competition.

“By the age of 15, I was the champion of the region of Zabaykalsky Krai.”

After bagging European bench press and deadlift titles and setting the world record for both, Kuznetsova found herself becoming recognised on the street.

In 2016, she has even participated in a Manon Lesko production at the Bolshoi Theatre featuring Russian-Austrian opera star Anna Netrebko, 48, and her husband.

She told Golder’s: “I am already used to fame and lots of people recognise me on the street, this happens everywhere I go.”

Kuznetsova was the 2014 World champion for armlifting and the 2014 World champion for bench pressing. She set world records both times.

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