Players | 2 |
---|---|
Skill(s) required | strength, endurance, technique, resistance |
Arm wrestling (or armwrestling) is a sport involving two participants. Each places one arm 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, the winner's arm over the loser's arm. In the early years different names were interchangeably used to describe the same sport: 'arm turning', 'arm twisting', 'arm wrestling', 'Indian arm wrestling', 'twisting wrists', 'wrist turning', 'wrist wrestling'.[1] Organized armwrestling tournaments started being held in the 1950s.
Description[edit]
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'Gorgeous Grampa' is the fourteenth episode of the 24th season of The Simpsons and the 522nd episode overall. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 3, 2013. 'Gorgeous Grampa'. 'Marge's Son Poisoning' is the fifth episode of the seventeenth season of The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 13, 2005. With Tenor, maker of GIF Keyboard, add popular Homer Simpson Arm Wrestling animated GIFs to your conversations. Share the best GIFs now.
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 arm wrestling match. Other factors such as the length of an arm wrestler's arm, muscle and arm mass/density, hand grip size, wrist endurance and flexibility, reaction time, as well as countless other traits, can add to the advantages of one arm wrestler over another.[citation needed] It's sometimes used to prove who is the stronger person between two or more people.In competitive arm wrestling, as sanctioned by the United States Armwrestling Federation (USAF), arm wrestling is performed with both competitors standing up with their arms placed on a tournament arm wrestling table.[citation needed] 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 meant 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.[citation needed] Paraphrasing USAF rules, arm wrestlers must straighten their wrists without a time lapse of one minute during competition.[2]
An arm wrestling competition
The World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) was the universally recognized global governing body of professional arm wrestling and comprises 80 member countries.[3] However, due to the labeling of referees and competitors that were associated with PAL/URPA with the status of 'Not in good standing' thus being suspended from WAF[4], many countries are jumping ship.
The International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA) is a democratic non-profit sport organization registered in Zurich, Switzerland and is recognized by TAFISA, the Association for International Sport for All.
Some noted top arm wrestling competitors include John Brzenk (hailed as the greatest arm wrestler of all time),[5]Alexey Voyevoda, Zaur Tskhadadze, Travis Bagent, Denis Cyplenkov, Andriy Pushkar, Oleg Zhokh, Tim Bresnan, Devon Larratt, Ion Oncescu, Neil Pickup, and Jerry Cadorette. Allen Fisher is of high acclaim, for he has won 26 world championships.[citation needed] He is one of the oldest multiple world champion title holders in the sport of arm wrestling at 55 years of age in the year 2011. Heidi Andersson is a female armwrestler from Sweden who has won eleven world championships between 1998 and 2014.[6]
Types[edit]
- armwrestling
- stand-up armwrestling
- sit-down armwrestling
- wristwrestling
- stand-up wristwrestling
- sit-down wristwrestling
Competitive styles[edit]
John Brzenk was known mostly for his array of techniques which change almost every time he engaged in competition, even with the same opponent within the same match. As of summer 2008, John Brzenk was ranked #1 in North America.[7] 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.[citation needed] Devon Larratt is very well known for his endurance and tenacity. He uses a wide array of techniques during his matches, one of them being holding the first 'hit' of his opponents and draining them out, and then counter attacking afterwards. He was the 2017 WAL (World Armwrestling League) Heavyweight champion left and right handed. Travis Bagent, like Brzenk, was known for his wide array of techniques, coupled with his massive strength and explosive style.[citation needed] Many of Bagent's matches have ended in seconds. Bagent was considered the best left-handed arm wrestler in the world and ranked second overall in North America, as of summer of 2008.[8]
Other competitors such as Matt Girdner, Michael Selearis, Sean Madera, Marcio Barboza, Christian Binnie, and Anthony Macaluso 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.[citation needed] 'The hook' or 'hooking' is any move derived from the inside system of arm wrestling. The second generic system or style of arm wrestling is known as outside arm wrestling 'the top roll' or 'top rolling', while the 'triceps press', 'shoulder pressing', or 'shoulder rolling' is often described as the third generic system or style of arm wrestling.[citation needed] Certain arm wrestlers depend on the straps,[clarification needed] such as Jason Vale, who won the 1997 Petaluma World Championships in the super heavy weight class at only 175 pounds using the strap technique.[citation needed]
The contestant on the right is in an injury-prone or 'break arm' position. His shoulder must be in line with or behind the arm, as seen with the contestant on the left. This is cause for a referee to stop the match.
The Simpsons Arm Wrestling
Many arm wrestlers will have a signature style or favorite technique, while others have enjoyed success by becoming extremely well rounded. Within each of the three broad technical systems of arm wrestling there are numerous clearly identifiable techniques which have been developed and enhanced over time.[citation needed] Great Britain's most successful arm wrestler and former two time European and World Middleweight Champion Neil Pickup is one of today's leading arm wrestlers, widely recognized as having originated and developed techniques to suit the genetic make up of individual arm wrestlers. Neil 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 five different weight classes on both his right and left arms. He has also trained numerous world champions, both male and female. This success has been largely attributed to his technical prowess, experience, and understanding of the athlete's whole body as a lever. He now also hosts a podcast for the WAL[9].
Common rules[edit]
The rules and regulations for arm wrestling are designed to create an even playing field and also prevent broken bones. Different leagues have their own variations, but most use the same table specifications.[10] Below are some of the general arm wrestling regulations:
- The shoulder of both players must be in a square position before the match starts.
- All starts will be a “Ready…Go.” The cadence will vary.
- Competitors must start with at least one foot on the ground. After the “go” players may have both feet off the ground.
- Opposite hand must remain on the peg at all times.
- A pin cannot be made if the elbow is out of the pocket.
Arm wrestling match in action
- To make a winning pin player must take opponent's wrist below the plane of the touch pad.
- A false start is a warning. Two warnings equals a foul.
- Competitors will forfeit the match with a second foul.
- If opponents lose grip with one another, a strap is applied and the match is restarted.
- Intentional slip-outs are fouls, which occur when both player’s palm completely loses contact with competitor’s palm.
- Competitors may not, at any time, touch their body to their hand.
- Shoulders may not, at any time, cross the center of the table.
- The competitors will always conduct themselves in a sportsperson-like manner while at the tournament.
- The most important arm wrestling rule is the referee’s decision is final.
Training[edit]
There are many resources available to help you train for the sport of armwrestling.[11] The best way to get involved in the sport is to find a local club and join their team. Many times they will have experienced competitors that will help you learn how to stay safe on the table, as well as techniques to help you succeed. There are many local tournaments throughout the U.S. that offer novice and/or amateur divisions for those just getting involved.[12]
Associated injury[edit]
Typical fracture
Arm wrestling puts enormous torque/torsion stress on the upper arm's humerus bone to a degree seen in few other physical activities.[13] Most people's bones are not accustomed to being significantly stressed in this direction, and severe injuries can occur. The arm typically fails because of a diagonal break at or below the midpoint between the shoulder and the elbow; this is known as the 'break arm' position. The most common injury is the humeral shaft fracture. Other common injuries also include shoulder injuries, muscle strain, golfers elbow, and less commonly pectoralis major rupture.
Major organizations[edit]
- Arm Wrestling International (AWI)
- International Federation of Arm Wrestlers (IFAW) - held armwrestling tournaments in conjunction with major International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) bodybuilding contests, including early editions of the Mr. Olympia
- International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA)
- International Wristwrestling Club (IWC)
- Professional Armwrestling League (PAL)
- Ultimate Armwrestling League (UAL)
- United States Armwrestling Association (USAA) - hosts 25+ U.S. events annually, including the Arnold Classic Armwrestling Challenge in Columbus, Ohio.
- World Armwrestling Federation (WAF)
- World Armwrestling League (WAL)
- World Professional Armwrestling Association (WPAA)
- World Professional Wristwrestling Association (WPWA)
- World’s Wristwrestling Championship, Inc. (WWC) - first armwrestling organization, organized the first World’s Wristwrestling Championship - it was held in Hermann Sons Hall: the second largest auditorium in Petaluma in 1962; later those (WWC's) World championships were known as Petaluma World’s Wristwrestling Championship[14]
- Carling O’Keefe World Armwrestling Championship - Fred Salvador first organized in 1971 after Petaluma Worlds Wristwrestling Championships; later referred to as the birth of organized armwrestling in Canada; also known as Timmins Worlds
In popular culture[edit]
- In the episode 'Dead Lift' of the series The Streets of San Francisco (first broadcast May 5, 1977), where Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an important role, we can see his friend Franco Colombu, himself a high-level bodybuilder, and also at the time competitor of athletic strength and contests of 'strong men', make a showdown in a bar.
- At the beginning of the film Predator (1987), the characters played by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers improvised a showdown after a vigorous handshake.[15]
- The film Over the Top (1987) features a wrestling champion, played by Sylvester Stallone.
- The film Addams Family Values (1993) opens with a showdown between Gomez and The Thing.
- In the episode of The Simpsons 'Marge's Son Poisoning' (2005), Homer enters an armwrestling tournament.
- The documentary Pulling John (2009), focuses on the battle for pre-eminence between heavyweights John Brzenk, Travis Bagent and Alexey Voevoda.[16]
- The reality TV show Game of Arms (2014) showed teams of American competitors sacrificing everything to become the nations best armwrestler.[17]
- In Italy, the term used for arm wrestling is braccio di ferro, and the famous cartoon character Popeye is also called Braccio di Ferro.
- The term 'Chinese Arm Wrestling' is sometimes used to refer to a battle of inches.
![Jessica simpson arm wrestling Jessica simpson arm wrestling](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125616411/464058954.gif)
See also[edit]
- Game of Arms, a television series about arm wrestling
- Over the Top, a 1987 film, starring Sylvester Stallone, about arm wrestling
References[edit]
- ^http://armwrestlersonly.blogspot.com/2013/09/champion-armwrestlers-of-yore.html
- ^WAF/USAF - Armwrestling Rules
- ^WAF MEMBERS. World Armwrestling Federation
- ^XSportNews. 'WAF Executive Board bans PAL / URPA Events • ARMWRESTLING • ARMWRESTLING NEWS XSPORTNEWS.COM'. ARMWRESTLING NEWS XSPORTNEWS.COM. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^Salt Lake Tribune - KRAGTHORPE: Sandy arm wrestler not the most famous, but is the best
- ^Heidi Andersson – Armbryterskan från Ensamheten
- ^'Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Men - Right Hand)'. THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^'Chronology of the Best Armwrestlers on the Planet (Men - Left Hand)'. THE ARMWRESTLING ARCHIVES. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^'Podcasts – Armfighter.com'. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^'Regulations – Armfighter.com'. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^'Training Information – Armfighter.com'. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^'Event Calendar – Armfighter.com'. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^BJSM - Sign In Page
- ^https://www.thearmwrestlingarchives.com/worlds-wristwrestling-championship---part-2-1962-1969.html
- ^Guile's Theme Goes with Everything (world's most epic handshake)
- ^Pulling John, retrieved 2020-02-26
- ^Game of Arms, retrieved 2020-02-26
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arm wrestling. |
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arm_wrestling&oldid=945973082'
August 19th 2015
Bart Wood is the guy standing between Word Armwrestling League finalists, two pullers who have battled a gauntlet of competitors to do final battle in The Pit over a $20,000 stack that can be theirs if they win just one more series. Wood is the WAL’s main referee, a puller himself with more than 20 years competing and reffing matches.
The 40-year-old union cement finisher by day started reffing in 1995, a few years after he started pulling. Wood, a former world champion power lifter who lives in Erie, PA, says that having competed himself makes reffing that much easier. He knows the mindset of the pullers he is policing, because he has been there. Wood knows that some pullers will take any edge they can get, if a ref doesn’t see it.
“When I’m competing, I’m trying to get away with all the advantages,” the father of 5 said. “As a referee, I’m eliminating those advantages and making sure there’s a fair start.”
Wood can be seen on ESPN holding the chalked up hands of the WAL athletes, calmly yet insistently tugging them into position to ensure a clean start to the match. He must ensure that he can see the knuckles of both mens’ thumbs, to ensure no one gets an upper hand in the grip department. He must also ensure their wrists are straight and that they are centered before he lets them go.
As he’s lining them up, Wood said he can feel if the puller is going to try to go inside or if they’re going to press up high. Not on his watch. Wood said the WAL on ESPN is taking not only armwrestling, but officiating the sport to a whole new level. Never has there been so many refs so focused on ensuring a match is clean, he said. Having been part of the sub culture himself for years, Wood said he knows everyone’s tactics for getting an edge.
“I know what most of the guys do,” he said. “I prepare myself as I see them walking to the table. I know where they’re going to try and gain advantage, and it’s easy for me to dissect it.”
Wood also focuses on taking control of the table, no matter what big names are up there, or what complaints they might make. Many of the big names have competed elsewhere in the armwrestling scene, but the WAL requires a whole new level of professionalism on the part of officials to go along with the sports ascendance into the mainstream.
“You need to have patience, a quick eye and be able to make a judgment call and be able to have presence to where you take control of the table, no matter who the competitors are,” Wood said. “It’s not for everybody. You can lose control, and you’ll never be able to get them to listen to you.”
Reffing in the WAL is a lot like competing, he said.
“You have to be crisp and fresh,” Wood said. “It’s the same mental aspect. It’s the concentration, and making sure my eyes are focused. As soon as I get the match off, boom, I’m down to the elbow as fast as I can.”
Wood has to get down to the elbow so he can see when a pin has occurred. His wife, Jennifer, is also a WAL sub-referee. Like an officiant in any professional sport, Wood feels the heat of the spotlight, but loves it nonetheless. He’s right up in the action and still gets the rush the competitors feels.
“I love how in the heat of the moment, tempers can flare, but then after it’s done, everyone is shaking hands and complimenting each other on a job well done,” Wood said. “Nothing better than going to work and truly loving what you do.”
The 40-year-old union cement finisher by day started reffing in 1995, a few years after he started pulling. Wood, a former world champion power lifter who lives in Erie, PA, says that having competed himself makes reffing that much easier. He knows the mindset of the pullers he is policing, because he has been there. Wood knows that some pullers will take any edge they can get, if a ref doesn’t see it.
“When I’m competing, I’m trying to get away with all the advantages,” the father of 5 said. “As a referee, I’m eliminating those advantages and making sure there’s a fair start.”
Wood can be seen on ESPN holding the chalked up hands of the WAL athletes, calmly yet insistently tugging them into position to ensure a clean start to the match. He must ensure that he can see the knuckles of both mens’ thumbs, to ensure no one gets an upper hand in the grip department. He must also ensure their wrists are straight and that they are centered before he lets them go.
As he’s lining them up, Wood said he can feel if the puller is going to try to go inside or if they’re going to press up high. Not on his watch. Wood said the WAL on ESPN is taking not only armwrestling, but officiating the sport to a whole new level. Never has there been so many refs so focused on ensuring a match is clean, he said. Having been part of the sub culture himself for years, Wood said he knows everyone’s tactics for getting an edge.
“I know what most of the guys do,” he said. “I prepare myself as I see them walking to the table. I know where they’re going to try and gain advantage, and it’s easy for me to dissect it.”
Wood also focuses on taking control of the table, no matter what big names are up there, or what complaints they might make. Many of the big names have competed elsewhere in the armwrestling scene, but the WAL requires a whole new level of professionalism on the part of officials to go along with the sports ascendance into the mainstream.
“You need to have patience, a quick eye and be able to make a judgment call and be able to have presence to where you take control of the table, no matter who the competitors are,” Wood said. “It’s not for everybody. You can lose control, and you’ll never be able to get them to listen to you.”
Reffing in the WAL is a lot like competing, he said.
“You have to be crisp and fresh,” Wood said. “It’s the same mental aspect. It’s the concentration, and making sure my eyes are focused. As soon as I get the match off, boom, I’m down to the elbow as fast as I can.”
Wood has to get down to the elbow so he can see when a pin has occurred. His wife, Jennifer, is also a WAL sub-referee. Like an officiant in any professional sport, Wood feels the heat of the spotlight, but loves it nonetheless. He’s right up in the action and still gets the rush the competitors feels.
“I love how in the heat of the moment, tempers can flare, but then after it’s done, everyone is shaking hands and complimenting each other on a job well done,” Wood said. “Nothing better than going to work and truly loving what you do.”