Arm wrestling athletes in Canberra compete for state title

ABC NEWS (Australia)

There aren't many athletes who compete at the pub but competitive arm wrestling isn't like other sports. Dozens of fighters have rolled up their sleeves in Canberra chasing a state title and the chance to grow the game to the world stage.

Transcript

00:00 Sheer strength alone won't get you the trophy at the ACT Arm Wrestling Championships, but

00:08 it certainly helps.

00:12 You have to outwit your opponent and feel his weaknesses and then attack them without

00:18 obviously losing to your own weaknesses.

00:20 Born in a Canberra backyard during COVID, arm wrestling is drawing a diverse and growing

00:26 crowd.

00:27 People from the government sector, from the hospitals, a few tradies.

00:32 Arm wrestlers are glorified and paid big dollars overseas.

00:35 Here, competitors are being plucked from local rugby talent.

00:39 I train really hard and I want to be the best.

00:42 But competition isn't everything.

00:46 Have a chat with the boys, have a nice arm wrestle, you always learn new stuff.

00:51 The inclusive community is also a drawcard.

00:54 Simon Appleby's manufacturing a special wheelchair that will help him compete.

00:59 He's famous for his giant hands.

01:01 You need a strong cup, a strong riser and also a really strong pronator.

01:07 I'm 42 and I've only really just started and I think it's a sport that you can do at any

01:11 point in your life, any time.

01:12 But there are still challenges.

01:15 Unfortunately there wasn't enough women here today to be able to compete so there's no

01:19 women's competition on today.

01:21 It hasn't stopped state rivalries from developing.

01:24 The Sydney guys are a huge club that have got a lot of experience and they've grown

01:29 so rapidly.

01:30 And plans to get even bigger.

01:32 Obviously as big as MMA, that'd be awesome, as UFC.

01:36 So everyone can grip and rip.

01:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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