ARM-WRESTLING CONTEST

 In the pub the noise from the amplifiers was deafening  and you had to shout , or be shouted at, straight into the ear. .Present day “music” is clearly for present day youth because no-one else seemed to object. Of course I was far too old for this particular scene – by about thirty years, judging from the majority , it seemed to me. But I was interested in the arm-wrestling contest and wished to support friends of my son who were taking part.  These participants were also well known to me because they trained at my local weight lifting club where  I was the Secretary. Of course, training for arm-wrestling can and should be very different from bodybuilding or weight lifting  training. The two entrants from our club used a variety of exercises that are not in the standard repetoire, such as dumbbell rods loaded at one end only, for wrist strength, specialised movements on pulleys, narrow grip bench presses, unusual uses of the  squat and power racks. Wrist rollers and different height blocks for deadlifting  were much in evidence, However this training seemed to pay off as Pete and Gary acquitted themselves well – indeed one of them was presented with a trophy for winning  his category..

Potential combatants are graded by experience and weight: those with no experience fight similar people and are in the “novice”  class; those with some experience  , that is, have fought before  are known as “wrestlers”  - but the rules are all the same.  National contests have several bodyweight groups but local contests divide up into two : heavyweights (over about 14 stone and lightweights  (under 14 stone). This certainly obtains for the male contestants. As far as I could see the females were pitted against others who appeared roughly about the same size , until the finals where a comparatively small (but strong) female could come up against another female of larger stature. The larger female was not however bound to win  often it is the reverse.

Contests are organized under the aegis of the British Arm Wrestling Association all over Britain but at present mainly in England. The secretary of the Association edits the  official magazine. Referees are appointed  for each contest to ensure the rules are complied with and to ensure order and decorum. These officials are themselves experienced “wrestlers” who have undergone training in arm wrestling and have passed a rules examination. The venues themselves are often pubs, for the smaller contests, to large halls or gyms for national championships.

As well as area championships therefore , there are  British and  indeed  world championships which are divided into classes on the lines of weightlifting bodyweight categories , that is to say, from about bantam weight  (55kgs) to superheavyweight (about 115 ks). Contestants at these levels  have learned a lot about technique and are very experienced  : brute strength alone does not always win the day.

The evening of the contest in question the pub was packed to the doors. The event had been well advertised in the pub itself,  in the official organ of the Association, the  Arm Wrestling Magazine, in the training venues for enthusiasts and the grapevine had done the rest. Clearly, arm-wrestling was popular among participants, actual and potential and spectators alike. The activity is still something of a cinderella sport but I believe this is changing. Venues are not always entirely suitable , being more intimate rather than  panoramic. This really is another way of saying that facilities are often cramped  and view-restricted.  Staging would help and more spacious surroundings  for the spectators needs to be offered.

As will be gathered, contestants on the night may or may not have  some training in the sport – a sure sign of a fledging activity at present trying to get off the ground. Real enthusiasts go, or have gone, to training sessions held in prominent locations , such as at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, in London. These sessions which last a few  months, meeting  once a week , are conducted by experienced wrestlers who have to demonstrate the art and put the course members through their paces on the official arm-wrestling  table.

I had competed myself in a contest  years ago in our local club so I thought I knew something about it. Very little it transpired. For one thing there are many rules for correct performance which were demonstrated before the actual contest began . Then there was the special table complete with elbow rest and a peg to be gripped by the  non-combat arm. An experienced arm-wrestling official acts as referee  for there are lots of possible infringements  and occasions  for injury. It was a miracle we were not all seriously injured in our home-made contest , I thought, as I heard all the rules spelled out , laying emphasis on correct hand and body positioning. It is certainly not wise  to participate  in arm-wrestling unless  you and your opponent know the rules!  

Prizes and various trophies are awarded to the contestants, paid for by the entrance fee required of each entrant. The system is that an MC (who had to make himself heard above the music but had the benefit of a microphone) invites participants from the crowd and writes down their details . Some contestants make uo their mind on the spot ; some come with the intention of participation , treating the occasion as experience along the road to eventual distinction and recognition.                                                                                                                      

Above the hubbub, the voice of the MC could just be heard. At last the contest was about to begin after due time for drink ordering and compiling a list of competitors. 

“The novice class will begin as soon as the contestants take up their positions. I call upon the lightweight contenders. Taylor on blue; Simpson on red.”

The colours refer to the pegs which Taylor and Simpson grasp as instructed. In this way there is no argument as to who stands where. One “down” will decide the contest: it is sudden death – no best of three. If a rule is patently broken , the contest is stopped by the referee and a draw is declared where injury could ensue or a restart is ordered when potential injury is not the issue. The referee speaks quietly to the adversaries, reminding them of the rules. The crowd is momentarily quiet for the period of the monition.

“Go,” says the referee and the battle commences , with swaying bodies and tense arms. 

  The competition I attended was in three sections: novices (who had not taken part before) ; “wrestlers”  (who had) and females. There was a further sub-division into lightweights and heavyweights. I suppose about twenty young men took part and half a dozen women. Supporters formed the majority of the crowd , composed of almost equal numbers of young men and young women, still unusual in the average pub.

The sport is really very macho with victors lauded by their supporters and the vanquished  disappearing into the crowd. Much play is made by the MC of matches between  unbeaten contestants. The losers reappear to fight for the minor places, however.

Approaches to the imminent wrestle are interesting in their variety. Some competitors appear subdued and hardly look at the opponent save for a brief handshake. Some are grimly smiling ; some “eye-ball” their opponent in boxer fashion . much play of course is made of settling down , getting comfortable on the elbow rest, squaring the shoulders, and above all, of gripping the opponent`s hand aright. When all is to the referee`s satisfaction the signal is given to begin. Some seem as if they had jumped the gun, but it may be that their reactions are very quick. An immediate “down” with apparently no resistance IS legitimate , but inevitably gives rise to suspicions that the victor has stolen a march on the vanquished. Most contests are indeed trials of strength and a “down” is usually achieved slowly , sometimes after fluctuating fortunes, with an arm forced back almost on to the table and then at the last minute righting itself to snatch ultimate victory. A “wrestle” is not allowed to go on too long however, in order to avoid the danger of injury. 

I discerned no animosity or disgruntlement afterwards, however, both wrestlers accepting the referee`s adjudication with equanimity. Of course a few “strutted their stuff” beforehand , making a show of parading about, conducting their own brand of psychological warfare. But by and large the event took place in an ordered , even decorous way.

Naturally staging such shows is good for business, judging by the crowd in the bar-rooms. This, I imagine, is up to the pub manager or the brewery to sponsor. It seems several such events are held in an area and aficionados.

 and keen contestants can travel. “Stars” of the arm-wrestling world come from a distance and are  given publicity accordingly. As everybody within a category  gets to meet each other the contest can take a long time. This one I witnessed started about 9.00 pm and finished about  midnight , with several brief intervals. Drinking was going on  all the time so it must have been good for business.

Support for the participants was boisterous but never unruly. No doubt several of these young men (and maybe women) are now enthused about their sport and intend to embark on the arm-wrestling game. In time I expect money is to be made as in so many “amateur” sports nowadays. I wish  them all good luck  for they will need it if they are to avoid injury . ( It took me about a year to recover from a sprained arm after our contest!)

It was a very interesting and enjoyable night out  - except for that b….y music!   

© A.B. Finlay Ph.D