Translation from Russkaiia Reklama, October 28, 2004
Page C12, Column Immigrant Fate by Natalya Gerina
Translation by George Adamovich

The Indefatigable David Adamovich, World Champion
Knife thrower— Grandson Of an Immigrant from Belarus

What could a doctor of physiology have in common with a knife thrower, a chef, a circus performer, and an official who performs marriage services? It’s hard to believe that one person can fulfill all those roles. Long Island’s David Adamovich accomplishes all of these extraordinarily well. Those who have the opportunity to see David Adamovich perform his Wheel of Death, admit that it is not an attraction for the faint hearted. The Wheel of Death, turning at the 1.5 seconds per revolution with a young female assistant strapped to it, is an exceptionally difficult target. Only an expert knife thrower such as a hero from a James Fennimore Cooper novel could do it successfully. David carries this out in a show which he successfully performed on many stages in New York and night clubs in capitals around the world.

Most importantly, one of his dreams developed not too long ago. As many boys do in childhood, he dreamed of going to far away places and of joining a wandering circus .A number of years pass before this dream found realization. Recently David was invited to join the Moscow State Circus which is performing in the United States. His excitement was overwhelming. David dropped everything, purchased a Motor Home (What kind of circus person, without a means to live on the road would he be?) and set out to tour with the Moscow State Circus.

The Fall tour of the Moscow State Circus began in New Orleans and continued in Florida. With immense success, David completed six performances. The Moscow artists fell in love with the sociable American with Belarusian roots. Since David is not proficient in Russian or the more difficult for foreign born, Belarusian , conversations took place between them in English or through an interpreter. However, the elements upset their performance schedule. Hurricanes hit Florida causing wide scale damage and upset future performances of the Circus. David returned home but is awaiting a call from the Moscow State Circus to again start up his motor home and hit the trail.

It’s hard to imagine how all this could have come together for David if not for his grandfather, Adam Adamovich who as a 17 year old young man decided to leave Belarus and seek his fortune in far away and unfamiliar America. Here he started a sewing factory with partners, married and American woman of Italian heritage and brought five sons into the world. The oldest of which, also Adam, is the father of David.

Judging from everything, his grandfather’s genes did not escape David. He graduated from school and defended a doctor’s dissertation in physiology at Columbia University. He became a professor and taught physiology at Long Island University. He found the routine at the university boring. He devoted more time to discovering new interests.

He developed an interest in culinary arts and graduated from a prestigious cooking school. Although he is a vegetarian, he surprises his family and friends with his gastronomical expertise. On days when relaxing, he’ll organize a dining event to demonstrate his cooking ability. David enjoys Asian cooking, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai.

In time David adopted a new occupation. He decided to bring happiness to people entering into marriage. After completing the necessary course work he received the necessary legal requirements to officiate marriage ceremonies. He approaches his job very creatively and brings lots of ceremony to the marriage rite. Many young and old couples especially come to him on St. Valentines Day to marry. On one St. Valentines, he married 15 couples. David understands his clients and tries to fulfill all of their wishes. He married couples while waterskiing, in a Jacuzzi, while jogging, and even at a cemetery. It is not surprising that David himself was married at the Great Wall of China.

David has two daughters. The older, Tara, graduated with honors from Harvard University and became a surgeon specializing in cancer surgery. His younger daughter, Tracy, graduated from the West Point Military Academy. It is a year already that Officer Adamovich is serving in Iraq. She was home on leave recently and has returned to her post in Iraq.

A few years ago, the indefatigable David, developed a passion for a new pastime. A friend showed him how to throw knives. It was evident, that David had a natural talent for the sport. There are several types of weapons in his collection including tomahawks. At first he competed as an amateur but later turned to professional. In 2001, David Adamovich became U.S. National and World Champion in knife throwing. In competition in Los Angeles, he had no equals. David is acquainted with all the best knife throwers and they often get together at his house.

It’s not easy work to keep in top form for the sport. It requires daily workouts for several hours. At home he has specialized equipment and a training hall. David Adamovich often appears on television demonstrating his abilities to throw knives at the target. However, none of his hosts has agreed to act as his assistant and stand up as a live target.

In answer to the question, on future plans that will amaze family and friends, David decided not to give a direct answer. – “A surprise should be just that, a surprise.” How about a wedding on another planet? “Well, I’ll have to think about that,” David said.