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In the past decade, arm wrestling has come out of the pub and been recognised as a sport, with clubs forming all over New Zealand.
More than 43 countries and around 1800 competitors participate in the World Championships every year and New Zealand is one of the newest to take part.
Many of the Kiwi clubs – with names like Brothers in Arms, Fresh Meat and Arm Benders – were represented at the Auckland Championships, held at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA in Whangaparāoa on September 24.
The event was organised by Sam Busby, who grew up in Stanmore Bay and is a member of the North Shore Arm Wrestling Club.
He got into the sport five years ago and says although it helps to be strong, someone with better technique can still win on the day.
Competitors enter in weight grades and in right arm, left arm (or both) categories. There are strict rules to ensure fairness and safety and the pairs wrestled in front of two judges at a purpose built table on the small stage.
Around 50 took part in the Auckland Champs, with most competing under first names or nicknames only. The NZ overall champ, Maateiwarangi Heta-Morris, known as the Beast, was there, inspiring respect among the other competitors and providing a strong arm for them to use when warming up.
All competitors were male, and ages ranged from 20-40. However, age is not necessarily a factor as was proved by 73-year-old former professional rubgy player Levan, who was third Grand Master in the 2019 world championship. In the Auckland champs he put in a strong performance, beating 22-year old Abel.
Stanmore Bay’s Ryan Carrigan, 27, only started in the sport last year, and this was his first competition.
He was stoked to come third (left arm) and third (right arm), taking home two bronze medals.
It was the first time the event had been held at the RSA, and Busby says it proved to be a great venue.
Info: NZ Arm Wrestling Federation, www.nzarmwrestling.co.nz/
