Grandad one of the world's best arm-wrestlers after taking up sport three years ago
- 11 months ago
A British grandad has become one of the world's best arm-wrestlers - after only taking up the sport three years ago.
Mark Waldon, 53, discovered professional arm wrestling in lockdown and is now competing at an international level.
He joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club after researching how to get involved with the sport online.
His first few bouts ended in heavy defeat, but six-months into his arm wrestling career it was clear he was a special talent.
And, earlier this month, Mark won gold while representing Team GB at the International Federation of Arm Wrestling (IFA) European Championships in Finland.
Mark, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, said: "I'd been training nearly 40 years in the gym before taking up the sport.
"It was a challenge to begin with, but I started training the specific muscles you need, and immediately started seeing results.
"To be able to say now that I'm a European gold medallist feels pretty special!"
During the pandemic, Mark contracted covid and then pneumonia.
He was ill for months, and at one point believed he wouldn't live to tell the tale.
While in bed recovering, he started looking at videos of arm wrestling on YouTube and decided when he got better, it was something he wanted to pursue.
Mark recovered in May 2020, and, as soon as restrictions were lifted, joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club.
At first, he was losing every wrestle, and Mark says he quickly discovered his strong physique wasn't enough to bring him success.
After six-months of arm wrestling, it became clear Mark was a special talent.
He started competing all over the country in national tournaments, and turned pro in May 2021.
The dad-of-one was recording win after win, and was subsequently accepted by the IFA to represent the Great British arm wrestling team.
Along with a team of 30 others, he entered the IFA Wrestling Worlds Competition in France in September, 2022.
He placed fourth in the under 105kg category and the 50-60 age category, otherwise known as the grand masters, in both the left and right arm competition.
He was disappointed to miss out on a podium position, but refused to be disheartened, and got back in the gym.
And, earlier this month, he won gold in the same categories in the right arm competition at the IFA European Championships in Finland.
Mark says his father's recent passing is what motivated him to win, and has dedicated his victory to him.
Mark Waldon, 53, discovered professional arm wrestling in lockdown and is now competing at an international level.
He joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club after researching how to get involved with the sport online.
His first few bouts ended in heavy defeat, but six-months into his arm wrestling career it was clear he was a special talent.
And, earlier this month, Mark won gold while representing Team GB at the International Federation of Arm Wrestling (IFA) European Championships in Finland.
Mark, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, said: "I'd been training nearly 40 years in the gym before taking up the sport.
"It was a challenge to begin with, but I started training the specific muscles you need, and immediately started seeing results.
"To be able to say now that I'm a European gold medallist feels pretty special!"
During the pandemic, Mark contracted covid and then pneumonia.
He was ill for months, and at one point believed he wouldn't live to tell the tale.
While in bed recovering, he started looking at videos of arm wrestling on YouTube and decided when he got better, it was something he wanted to pursue.
Mark recovered in May 2020, and, as soon as restrictions were lifted, joined Milton Keynes Arm Wrestling Club.
At first, he was losing every wrestle, and Mark says he quickly discovered his strong physique wasn't enough to bring him success.
After six-months of arm wrestling, it became clear Mark was a special talent.
He started competing all over the country in national tournaments, and turned pro in May 2021.
The dad-of-one was recording win after win, and was subsequently accepted by the IFA to represent the Great British arm wrestling team.
Along with a team of 30 others, he entered the IFA Wrestling Worlds Competition in France in September, 2022.
He placed fourth in the under 105kg category and the 50-60 age category, otherwise known as the grand masters, in both the left and right arm competition.
He was disappointed to miss out on a podium position, but refused to be disheartened, and got back in the gym.
And, earlier this month, he won gold in the same categories in the right arm competition at the IFA European Championships in Finland.
Mark says his father's recent passing is what motivated him to win, and has dedicated his victory to him.