Arm wrestling

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The starting position for an arm wrestling match.
The starting position for an arm wrestling match.

Arm wrestling is a sport with two participants. Each participant places one arm, both put either the right or left, on a surface, with their elbows bent and touching the surface, and they grip each other's hand. The goal is to pin the other's arm onto the surface, with the winner's arm over the loser's arm.

Various factors can play a part in one's success in arm wrestling. Technique and overall arm strength are the two greatest contributing factors to winning an armwrestling match. Other factors such as the length of an arm wrestler's arm, his/her muscle and arm mass/density, hand grip size, wrist endurance and flexibility, as well as countless other traits, can add to the advantages of one arm wrestler over another.

In competitive arm wrestling, as sanctioned by the American Armsport Association (AAA), arm wrestling is performed with both competitors standing up with their arms placed on a tournament arm wrestling table. Arm wrestling tournaments are also divided into weight classes as well as left and right handed divisions. Furthermore, strict rules such as fouls given to penalties (such as the competitor's elbow leaving a matted area where the elbow is to remain at all times or a false start), and trying to escape a possible arm pin by breaking the grip with the opponent may result in a loss at the table. Paraphrasing American Armsport Association(AAA)"Armwrestlers must straited their wrists with out a time lapse of one minute during competition." (http://www.armsport.com/rules.htm)

The World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) is the universally recognized global governing body of Amateur Armwrestling and is comprised of more than 85 member countries.

Some noted top arm wrestling competitors include John Brzenk (hailed as the greatest arm wrestler in recent times)[1], Travis Bagent, Ron Bath, Michael Selearis, Alexey Voevoda and Marcio Barboza.

Arm wrestling was featured in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone movie Over the Top.

Currently, as of Fall 2006, a documentary is being filmed by Morrissian films about the current state of competitive arm wrestling entitled Pulling John.

Contents

[edit] Competitive Styles

John Brzenk is known mostly for his array of techniques which change almost every time he is engaged in competition, even with the same opponent within the same match. As of Fall 2006, John Brzenk is ranked #1 in North America, and arguably, considered the best arm wrestler in the world (though he will lose a number of matches throughout the season to top competitors). Ron Bath is known for his use of the Top Roll technique which emphasizes a 'roll' of the wrist as he brings the opponent's wrist down. Travis Bagent, like Brzenk, is known for his wide array of techniques, coupled with his massive strength and explosive style. Many of Bagent's matches have ended in seconds. However, Bagent is most well known for his colorful remarks and rather rude comments against his opponents. Bagent is considered the best left handed arm wrestler in the world, and is currently ranked second overall in North America, as of Fall of 2006.

Other competitors such as Matt Girdner, Michael Selearis, Hermann Brumm, Marcio Barboza and Christian Binnie, are known for their reliance on strength, coupled with the hook technique, where the wrist turns into a hooked grip after the referee has started the match. "The Hook" or "Hooking" is a generic term used to describe any move derived from the inside system of Armwrestling the second generic system or style of Armwrestling is known as outside Armwrestling "the Top Roll" or "Top Rolling", whilst the "Tricep Press", "Shoulder Pressing" or Shoulder Rolling" is often described as the third generic system or style of Armwrestling.

Many Armwrestlers will have a signature style or favorite technique whilst others have enjoyed success by becoming extremely well rounded. Within each of the three broad technical systems of Armwrestling there are numerous clearly identifiable techniques which have been developed and enhanced over time. Great Britain's most successful Armwrestler and former two time European and World Middleweight Champion Neil Pickup is one of todays leading Armwrestlers widely recognized as having originated and developed techniques to suit the genetic make up of individual Armwrestlers. Pickup has enjoyed an Amateur and Professional career spanning more than 20 years during which time he has won more than 60 International titles across 5 different weight classes on both his right and left arms, whilst also training numerous World Champions both male and female. This success has been largely attributed to his technical prowess, experience and understanding of this exciting combat strength sport in which the athletes whole body must be utilized effectively as a lever.

It is a famous sport world over, with a bunch of European and Russian Armwrestlers dominating the world scene at the moment. Alexey Voevoda, Travis Ivakin, Rustam Babayev and Farid Usmanov to name a few. It has also experienced a considerable boost in its popularity in the South Asian region, especially India and Pakistan. The famous names from these regions include Farid Khan, Ali Muhammad Khan, Ali Murtaza, and Khawaja Fahad; all of them innovating their own specific moves, especially the variants of 'The Hook" move. All this popularity throughout the world is just a means to an end of making it an olympic sport.

John Morfesi, perhaps one of the world's most famous arm wrestlers, is best known for fracturing the elbows of challengers and taking their belt as a souvenir. New Yorkers quickly coined the term "Morfesi Elbow" to refer to anyone with a serious elbow injury requiring surgery.

[edit] Training techniques for arm wrestling

Traditional weight training is often used by arm wrestlers. Exercises like the Metal Rod Exercises can be used to develop strength and muscular endurance in the grip and arms and also to develop core stability which helps anchor the body during competition and to help in the transfer of physical power and force. Contrary to what many believe, having big biceps is not very important in arm wrestling. In descending order of importance, the most important muscles are fingers and hands, wrist and forearm (very close behind), and biceps.

[edit] Armwrestling links

  • NEW YORK ARM WRESTLING - New York Armwrestling - New York Arm Wrestling Association, Inc. (NYC Big Apple Grapple, New York Golden Arm Series, Empire State Golden Arm Tournament of Champions - 1977-2007 30th Year Anniversary - Photos, Results, How To Arm Wrestle. Amateur, Pro, Children, Military,

ProArmwrestler.com Professional Armwrestling - Photos - Videos - Links -


[edit] Championship Results Sample (2006 Mohegan Sun PAC World Armwrestling)

(From [2])

Division/Weight

First

Second

Third

Right Hand Pro (243+)

John Brzenk

Eric Guevin

Shawn Freeman

199-242

John Brzenk

Todd Hutchings

Richard Moriera

177-198

Chad Silvers

Rob Vigeant Jr.

Bill Sinks

155-176

Allen Fisher

Roman Tsindiliari

Anthony Kitowski

0-154

Roman Tsindiliari

Byron Thomas

Vazgen Soghoyan

Left Hand Pro (243+)

Rob Bigwood

Shaun Freeman

Kurt Howgate

199-242

Marcio Barboza

Todd Hutchings

Kevin Nelson

177-198

Mike Selearis

Giorgi Gelashvili

Bryan Johnson

155-176

Tony Kitowski

Heinje Bergeron

Roman Tsindilari

0-154

Stephen Kirlew

Roman Tsindilari

Chris Gobby


Links to other competition results go to ProArmwrestler.com

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