You Bet It Is. And You Are Missing Out By Not Watching It.
Armwrestling is a niche sport that does not get the recognition it deserves. If an activity against competition causes you to break bones, sweat, and go to failure with your muscles, you are looking at the foundations of a real sport. While it is not in the Olympics yet, armwrestling has been around for thousands of years and is 100% a bonafide sport.
Why Exactly Is Armwrestling Considered A Sport?
Let’s break this down into three elements, shall we?
It takes a significant amount of skill and strength: Professional armwrestlers train for decades to become proficient in toprolling, hooking, and pressing, the three dominant techniques of the sport. There are also specific and intense training methodologies to train the body for the competition table. Yes, it is true. Everyone can armwrestling, but not everyone can armwrestling well.
It has specific equipment: Did I mention the competition table? Armwrestling has an entire armwrestling table apparatus with pins and pads specially designed for competitive matches and created with specs for matches. Some would say this is more developed and organized than the break dancing pad in the Olympics. Plus, armwrestlers have developed, built, and released specific tools and handles molded for building armwrestling strength.
It has leagues and tournaments with international draw: If you are located in the States like me, you might not know that armwrestling is a well-known international phenomenon. Competitors from North America and Eurasian frequently gather to compete at the exhilarating East vs. West tournaments that pit some of the world’s top-ranked armwrestlers against each other in uniform, intense armwrestling title matches.
Let’s put it this way: If table tennis (ping pong), break dancing, and golf are in the Olympics, armwrestling is definitely a sport.
How Can I Prove It To You?
Take a maximum of 10 minutes out of your day, pull out your phone or desktop, and search “Armwrestling Tournament” on YouTube. It might not be for you if you’re not hooked on the sport within 10 minutes of watching the plethora of homegrown videos out there on the internet. However, if you look at the athletes competing and think for a moment you could beat them, you might be crazy.
If you want to take this one step further, try to find a local tournament in your city, state, country, or abroad. I can attest that the vast majority of the athletes are gregarious, friendly, powerful, and inspiring—the audience is no different! Also, you meet a wonderfully eclectic group of people within the armwrestling community, all there for the same purpose: to have fun and get stronger.
Armwrestling Is Headed Off The Table
Armwrestling is destined to grow. It has ludicrous athletes competing at a high level, demonstrating techniques that take years to master. The professionals love the sport, but we need passionate, new fans to help build the community. With your help, passion, and spreading the word, maybe, one day, we can get armwrestling into the Olympics where it belongs!
Is armwrestling a sport? Yes, it is. If you don’t think so, catch me at the table.