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.
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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]