East vs. West 17: Results And Commentary

Great matchups, but the lackluster audio and visual presentation highlights key issues with armwrestling coverage in 2025

East Vs. West 17: Where, When, Where To Watch After The Fact

Match 1: Andrei Sharkevich vs. Arsen Khachatryan

Left Arm (105kg) – Sharkevich vs. Khachatryan

Result: Arsen 3–1

Notes: Arsen used his superior technique, once in position, that outcomes weren’t that close.

Match 2: Cody Wood vs. Joseph Meranto

Right Arm (77kg) – Cody Wood vs. Joseph Meranto

Result: Meranto 3–2

Notes:Exceptional match to watch — big battle between two strong arms that went on longer than expected.

Match 3: Hunter Noffz vs. Valen Low

Right Arm (77kg) – Hunter Noffz vs. Valen Low

Result: Noffz 3–2

Notes:Valen Low only got his two wins from fouals. Hunter Nuffz controlled the table the entire time. The skill and strength discrepency was highly apparent in this matchup.

Match 4: Craig Tullier vs. John Therrien

Right Arm (85kg) – Craig Tullier vs. John Therrien

Result: Tullier 3–0

Notes: Craig Tullier controlled the table the entire time. Tullier put up a dominant performance.

Match 5: Janis Amolins vs. Mindaugas Tarasaitis

Right Arm (77kg) – Janis Amolins vs. Mindaugas Tarasaitis

Result: Mindaugas 3–2

Notes: This was a sleeper for entertainment matches — Mindaguas put up an amazing fight and comeback at the table.

Match 6: Sarah Bäckman vs. Jocelyne Brisson

Right Arm (Open Weight) – Sarah Bäckman vs. Jocelyne Brisson

Result: Brisson 3–0

Notes: Brisson wiped the floor. Sarah Bäckman had no shot.

Match 7: Kody Merritt vs. Evgeny Prudnik

Left Arm (Superheavyweight) – Kody Merritt vs. Evgeny Prudnik

Result: Prudnik 3–0

Notes: Evgeny Prudnik is phenomal and has grown a lot as an armwrestling champion. Merritt had no chance.

Match 8: Matt Mask vs. Kydyrgali Ongarbaev

Right Arm (105kg) – Matt Mask vs. Kydyrgali Ongarbaev

Result: Mask 3–0

Notes: It was awesome to see former WAL (World Armwrestling League) greatness take centerstage at the table — Matt “Wild Horse” Mask is still a dominant arwmrestler and keeps up with his training.

Match 9: Dave Chaffee vs. Georgi Tsvetkov

Right Arm (Superheavyweight) – Dave Chaffee vs. Georgi Tsvetkov

Result: Georgi 3–0

Notes: Dave still lacks endurance and unfortunately, hightlights his issues during competition — he comes out with outrageous strength but lacks the ability to overcome anyone with a strong hook.

Match 10: Devon Larratt vs. Corey West

Left Arm (Superheavyweight) – Devon Larratt vs. Corey West

Result: Devon 3–0

Notes: Devon, per usual, was better outside of the strap using his en durance and hooking strength to outmatch Corey West. But…interestingly enough…once they were in the straps, it leveled the playing field. But only leveled it a smide. Devon Larratt is still better and the GOAT of left arm, armwrestling.

Match 11: John Brzenk vs. Yoshinobu Kanai

Right Arm (105kg) – John Brzenk vs. Yoshinobu Kanai

Result: Kanai 3–0

Notes:John Brzenk is definitely getting older. He has his technique and old man strength, but Yoshinobu Kanai had superior endurance to best the former amrwrestling champion (and armwrestling titan).

Overall Sentiment: Matchups were Great, Presentation and advertising were lack luster

During the pandemic, 2020-2022 armwrestling hit an alltime high with armwrestling taking centerstage on secondary livestreaming markets for niche sports — like Youtube. Unfortunately, the incredible table, fighting-sport has taken a hit in recent years. Devon can’t always carry every event. It’s on the athletes and East vs. West to dedicate more resources to audio/visual coverage to get the armwrestling names out there. Truthfully, there should’ve been better campaigns to raise awareness for East vs. West 17 before the 29th, I feel as if this one slipped under most people’s radars.

But, as always, still worth the watch. We will all eagerly await for East vs. West 18.