Arm wrestling

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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 1 Competitive Styles 2 Training techniques for arm wrestling 3 Armwrestling links 4 Championship Results Sample (2006 Mohegan Sun PAC World Armwrestling)

[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 -

• Nova Scotia Scotia Arm Wrestling Schedule, results, pictures and more from tournaments in Nova Scotia, across Canada and the World.
• Pulling John - Information about Arm Wrestling, Competitive Ranking, and Progress on the documentary in production by Morrissian Films.
• ARM TV - Contains information about the Current State of Competitive Arm Wrestling and updates on the sport.
• Armwrestling Supersite - Arm Wrestling and grip strength
• GrowStronger Physical fitness message board with specific arm wrestling exercises and guides
• Official site of Joyce King - One of the greatest female arm wrestlers of all time
• Ultimate Arm Wrestling - Tips on technique, exercises, moves, and more
• Armpower Magazine - Official Professional Armwrestling League site
• Armsport Videos - Arm wrestling videos of Local, National, International and World Championships.
• NY Armwrestlers - Profiles, Photos, Videos
• Arm Wrestling tehniques- Photos, Videos, Online chat

[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