 Two individuals arm wrestling recreationally | |
| First played | c. 8th century CE |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Yes |
| Team members | No |
| Mixed-sex | No (competition) |
| Equipment | Arm wrestling table, straps (competition) |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | International |
| Olympic | No |
Arm wrestling (also spelled "armwrestling") is a sport in which two participants, facing each other with their bent elbows placed on a flat surface (usually a table) and hands firmly gripped, each attempt to "pin" their opponent's hand by forcing it to the surface. In popular culture, arm wrestling is commonly interpreted as a display of physical dominance, symbolizing superior strength and toughness between two individuals.[1]
Current knowledge of the history of arm wrestling is based on written and pictorial evidentiary sources, and arm wrestling may have existed in any number of ancient or medieval cultures that did not record it. The most popular claims that it was practiced inancient Egypt orancient Greece, while not necessarily implausible, are founded on misinterpretation of sources (confusing references towrestling with the arms or images of wrestling with the hands or of dancing for arm wrestling).[2]
Modern-day practices and depictions of arm wrestling have been widely practiced during theEdo-period of Japan (Japanese:腕相撲,romanized: udezumō; formerly known as "wrist wrestling" in this context in English, the literal translation of the Japanese) depicted in art from as early as the 1700s, and recorded in writing as early as the eighth century in theKojiki. Illustrations unambiguously demonstrate this was the same as modern arm wrestling. It is likely that the modern popularity of arm wrestling comes from the Japanese treatment of the sport.[2]
Arm wrestling was also practiced bySpaniards andCubans in the nineteenth century, possibly via the influence of Japanese contact; these arm-wrestlers would place a piece of money under each elbow.[3]
Arm wrestling in the United States was formerly also called "Indian arm wrestling"; some sources suggest the practice originated amongstNative American peoples such as theLenape. A similar sport, "Indian hand wrestling", attested from the early 20th century and commonly ascribed Native American origins, was conducted standing upright. Both "Indian arm wrestling" (or simply "arm wrestling") and "Indian hand wrestling" were popular amongBoy Scouts and other American youth in the early to mid 20th century.[4][5][6][7][8][9][excessive citations]
The transition from informal arm wrestling matches to professionally organized competitions began in the 1950s. In late 1954, a "wristwrestling" challenge issued by Jack Homel at Mike Gilardi's bar inPetaluma,California, sparked local interest and led to the formation of a committee to organize a fundraising event for theMarch of Dimes. The first contest was held on 27 January 1955, and its success led to the establishment of an annual event that steadily grew in scale and popularity.[10]In 1962, the sport was formalized with the creation of the World's Wristwrestling Championship, Inc., which hosted the first official World's Wristwrestling Championship on 2 February 1962. This marked a pivotal shift from informal local contests to structured, professional tournaments.[11]By the late 1960s, arm wrestling had gained national attention, with televised broadcasts[12] and references in popular culture, including aPeanutscomic strip byCharles Schulz.[13] Petaluma's contests helped transform arm wrestling into a legitimate competitive sport, complete with weight classes and formal refereeing—laying the foundation for its professional identity.
The 1970s and 1980s are often considered the "golden age" of professional arm wrestling, characterized by increased media coverage and corporate sponsorships.[14] The sport reached mainstream audiences with the release ofSylvester Stallone's 1987 film "Over the Top", which was inspired by real-life arm wrestling events.[15] As the only major motion picture centered on the sport,[16] it played a significant role in popularizing arm wrestling worldwide.
Global expansion continued through the efforts of governing bodies such as the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF), the International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA), and the World Armwrestling League (WAL), and while arm wrestling's popularity did see modest growth, it remained a niche sport. The 2009 documentary "Pulling John",[17] chronicling the career of legendary arm wrestlerJohn Brzenk, grew some interest, but fell short of pushing arm wrestling into the forefront to the extent that Over The Top had.[18]
In the early 2020s, arm wrestling experienced a resurgence in popularity, partly due to widespread lockdowns during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[19] The rise of digital platforms played a major role, with athletes likeDevon Larratt andLevan Saginashvili attracting millions of viewers throughYouTube andsocial media.[20] Social media continues to be a driving force behind the sport's growth,[21] and there is now a growing movement to have arm wrestling included in theOlympic Games.[22][23]In popular culture, arm wrestling remains a symbolic contest of physical dominance, often representing strength, toughness, and personal resolve between two individuals.[1][18]
Most competitive arm wrestling governing bodies align on general principles within their rule sets, although there may be slight variations. Since there is no central governing body, rule sets must be agreed to prior to a tournament or match. Organized arm wrestling competitions are typically arranged in either tournament or supermatch format.[24]
A tournament usually involves successive rounds of a single match (or "pull") between any two opponents and a large number of total participants.[25] Most tournaments aredouble-elimination, meaning two losses will eliminate a competitor from the tournament. As with other combat sports in which body weight is recognized to play a significant role in victory, arm wrestling tournaments are usually divided along weight classes as well asleft and right-handed divisions.
A "supermatch" usually involves a best three out of five matches, or best of four out of either six or seven matches between two specific athletes, with short rest periods between consecutive matches.[26] The supermatch format is usually reserved for more experienced and high-level pullers, and is analogous to a traditional bout in other combat sports. Supermatch format varies depending on the rule set utilized by the organizing body.[27][28]
Governing organizations include the International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA),[29] the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF),[30] the World Armwrestling League (WAL),[31] East vs West,[32] and thePro Panja League.[33]
Competitive arm wrestling matches take place between two competitors and involve one or more referees. Matches utilize specialized tables which include elbow pads, pin pads, and hand pegs. The elbow pads indicate the area within which a competitor's elbow must remain throughout the match; the pin pads indicate the height below which an opponent's hand must be in order to be pinned; and the hand pegs must be gripped with the non-wrestling arm and are used for additional leverage. These tables vary slightly in their dimensions based on the governing body of the competition, but are always symmetrical with predefined distances between the elbow pads and pin pads.[27][28] A strap typically composed of a 1" wide strip ofnylon or cloth, with a plastic or metalbuckle on one end, may be used to bind the competitors' hands and wrists in order to prevent a slip during an arm wrestling match.[27]
Recreational (not organized) arm wrestling typically adheres to the most fundamental principles, where two participants face each other with bent elbows resting on a flat surface, with each participant seeking to "pin" their opponent's hand by pressing it down to the surface.[34] Recreational matches often take place on a table, counter, or other flat surface, between individuals who are sitting or standing, and without specialized equipment such as a competition table or straps. Recreational matches run a higher risk of injury than competitive matches, as they do not follow weight or skill class requirements and may take place between individuals of significantly different size, strength and skill levels.[35][36]
The three main techniques in arm wrestling are known as the "hook", the "toproll", and the "press". There are many movements within these techniques, but all arm wrestling engagement involves one or a combination of these three techniques.[37]
The hook (or "hooking") is an "inside" arm wrestling technique[38] where a competitor attempts to cup their hand at the wrist toward their forearm, pulling their opponent toward them in while supinating the hand and forearm. The competitor will combine hand and arm positioning to reduce the opponent's leverage and shift toward the pin pad to gain control. The hook relies primarily on wrist pressure and arm strength, particularly in the biceps, rather than hand control or technique, in contrast to the toproll.[39]
The toproll (or "toprolling") is an "outside" arm wrestling style[38] characterized by pronating the hand and forearm to apply wrist pressure on the opponent, while pulling back and sideways to control the opponent's hand. The competitor's arm should remain at a tight angle, with body movement toward the winning side and the non-competing leg bending to generate momentum. The goal is to open the opponent's wrist, forcing them into a vulnerable position before securing the pin. A successful toproll relies heavily on strength in the rising, pronation, and back pressure movements.[40][41]
_ja_pr%25C3%25A4ssi_(press)..jpg)
The press (or "flop wrist press"; "triceps press") is an outside style which involves a competitor getting their body behind their arm to use their shoulder, chest, and triceps to press their opponent's hand and arm to the pin pad. Effective pressing requires proper alignment with the hips and non-competing leg positioned to avoid blocking the pin. This technique is often reserved for neutral or advantageous positions in order to finish an opponent. Beginners should be careful using the press as it can put stress the elbow tendons and cause injury if applied incorrectly. The press can be accessed from either a hook or toproll.[38][42]
There is significant debate surrounding the most effective training methods for arm wrestling due to limited empirical research specific to the sport. While there is not a consensus as to whether arm wrestling practice (commonly known as "table time") orstrength training is most effective for developing arm wrestling strength, it is generally accepted that both are important.[52][53] Strength training typically takes the form of gym exercises specific to arm wrestling movements, and technique is typically gained through table time. Most arm wrestlers rely on trial and error, gathering insights from peers to determine what works best for them.[52]
Common exercises for arm wrestling include lifts such asbicep curls,hammer curls,wrist curls,rows,pull-ups, and other exercises which specialize in developing overall pulling strength.[54] Pushing exercises are generally secondary, except in certain cases where they strengthen techniques and movements such as the press (bench press) and side pressure (JM press).[55]
In addition to standarddumbbells andbarbells, arm wrestlers often make use ofresistance bands, straps, martial arts belts, andcable systems with specialized handles in order to more closely replicate the angles and tensions of real arm wrestling.[55] Arm wrestlers will often construct their own specialized equipment.[56]
A majority of technique training takes the form of table time. Table time often involves engaging in recreational matches or exercises between two individuals on an arm wrestling table, starting from various starting positions and scenarios, with the intended purpose of developing one's strategy and techniques against a large variety of opponents and styles. Arm wrestling practice strategies and scenarios can include endurance, static reps, strap training, "ready go" training, and speed training.
Arm wrestling is associated with various injuries, includinghumerus fractures,shoulder dislocations,soft-tissue damage,nerve injuries, andtendonitis. Injuries associated with arm wrestling occur most commonly between novices or athletes of significant strength difference, when competitors are forced into unsafe positions out of inexperience or inability to maintain advantage. Matches or practices involving experienced competitors with the proper conditioning and knowledge produce injuries at a lower rate than novices. Most individuals experiencing injuries regain full function with proper treatment.[35][36]
Spiral humerus fractures are the most common fracture experienced and often occur in the dominant arm, especially among amateurs. Fractures may require longer recovery times and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. Fractures are significantly more likely when one of the competitors rotates their shoulder inward (as in a press) without first getting behind their hand, a position known as the "break arm" position.
Beginners should attempt to maintain eye contact with their own hand, keep their shoulders square, and pull (rather than push) their opponent to the pin pad, in order to prevent reaching a position that could cause injury.
Prof.Edward S. Morse informs me that wrist-wrestling is practiced also by Spaniards and Cubans, each contestant putting his elbow on a piece of money from which he may not remove it.
In Indian hand wrestling, the wrestlers place the outside edge of their feet together, grasp hands, attempt to throw each other off balance. […] In arm wrestling, the wrestlers kneel, place elbows of right arms on ground, grasp hands. Idea is to force opponent's forearm flat to the ground.
'Indian Arm Wrestling' was a popular term for the sport up until around the 1960s. Here's a comic strip from 1965 that uses it. […] 'You can come in Mrs. Byrd, if there'll be no Indian-Arm Wrestling with my waiters!'
Indian Hand Wrestling—One contestant places the outside of his right foot against the outside of the other's. Both brace themselves by placing their left feet a long step to the rear. They grasp right hands and attempt to throw each other. The one who first succeeds in making the other move his feet or lose his balance is the winner.
Talk on Indian life, followed by Indian games, Indian foot wrestling, Indian hand wrestling, Indian club wrestling.
Arm wrestling is a competitive endeavor in which two opponents exert pressure against each other's hands to determine which competitor has greater arm strength. Each competitor must keep their elbow on the table, with the goal of forcing their opponent's hand to touch the table.
You want to get your forearm as vertical as possible in the setup with your wrist as close to directly above your elbow as possible. We call this 'posting' because your arm is almost upright, like a post sticking out of the ground.
Carter said arm wrestling is about 50 percent strength, 50 percent technique and an extra 10 percent psychological advantage. "You reach a certain point when the strength part of it equals out," Carter said. "Then it's just down to who feels the most confident. You've got to have your head into it as well as your arm."
| Endurance | |
|---|---|
| Clapping games | |
| Finger-counting | |
| Other | |
