In arm wrestling, there are two competition formats: tournaments and supermatches, also called vendettas. In this article I will explain to you what these competitions are and what are the differences between arm wrestling tournaments and arm wrestling events.
Table of contents
Les catégories
In tournaments and supermatches, participants are divided into different categories to ensure fair competition. Classification criteria include :
- Gender
- The weight
- The arm used (right or left)
- Age (tournament only)
This distribution balances the odds and avoids unbalanced matches, such as a duel between a 120 kg athlete and a 70 kg one. Classification criteria and weight limits may vary according to the organization running the competition.
Formats
Arm wrestling tournaments
In an arm wrestling tournament, participants from each category compete in single-round matches, until only one person remains. A competitor is eliminated after suffering two defeats.
Tournaments can be held over one or more days, due to the large number of participants and categories. To take part, it is generally necessary to belong to an arm-wrestling club affiliated to the tournament organization, such as WAF.
The random nature of the confrontations can create disparities. The two finalists in the same category may arrive at the final stage with different levels of fatigue, depending on the difficulty of their respective courses. This can sometimes make the tournament format less fair.
Arm-wrestling events
The arm-wrestling events feature a map of several clashes in supermatch format. The principle of a supermatch is simple: determine who is the strongest between two ironmen. To do this, the two competitors face off in a single series of 5 or 7 rounds, and the one who wins the most rounds is declared the supermatch winner.
Today, this format is preferred for organizing and broadcasting arm-wrestling events, as it offers a more captivating spectacle for spectators. The more renowned the athletes, the greater the interest and audience.
Today's biggest competitions, such as East vs West and King of the Table, have established themselves as must-see events. They attract the sport's biggest stars, including Devon Larratt, John Brzenk and Levan Saginashvili, and contribute to the growing popularity of arm-wrestling worldwide.
Organizations
East vs West
East VS West is today recognized as the most prestigious organization in the world of arm wrestling, attracting all athletes wishing to measure themselves against the best. Its main objective is to establish a world ranking of the best competitors by category, positioning itself as the must meet for professional armwrestlers, like the UFC in MMA. East VS West embodies the highest level of the discipline, with events primarily held in Istanbul, Turkey, and more recently in the United States. Competitions are scheduled every one to two months, featuring around fifteen matches each edition.
King of the Table
King of the Table is an organization closely associated with East vs West, offering arm wrestling competitions in Dubai. Athletes who compete in East vs West can also take part in King of the Table events, making it a prime stage for high-profile matches, often including fights for the world championship title. Unlike East vs West, King of the Table stands out for spectacular matches outside of any official ranking, such as those between Auden Larratt to the Korean Hulk or Brian Shaw to Eddie Hall. The events take place approximately every two months, with a schedule of approximately seven matches per edition.
World Armwrestling Federation (WAF)
The WAF (World Armwrestling Federation), founded in 1977, is the world-wide recognized organization in the field of amateur arm wrestling. It supervises competitions in more than 80 countries and organizes the prestigious European and world championships each year. The WAF rigorously implements an anti-doping program to ensure the integrity and fairness of competitions.
International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA)
The IFA (International Federation of Armwrestling), created in 2022 , asserts itself as a direct competitor of the WAF. Athletes must choose between the two federations, because membership in one excludes participation in the other. With around 35 member countries, the IFA organizes its own European and world championships. It also sets up an anti-doping program to ensure fair competitions that respect the rules.
Absolute Men's Championship (AMC)
The AMC (Absolute Men's Championship) is an organization led by the Armwrestling Federation of the Czech Republic. It offers regular competitions, including tournaments and supermatches with attractive rewards of up to $15,000 for the winner. The AMC attracts big names in arm wrestling, including renowned Russian athletes such as Vitaly Laletin, Dmitry Silaev and Arthur Makarov.
AWE Armwrestling Entertainment
The AWE primarily hosts its armwrestling events in Australia, highlighting local talent. Among Australia's most renowned athletes are Ryan Bowen, an active figure on social media and YouTube, and Lachlan Adair, known for his power and performances in international competitions.
Conclusion
Although there are several arm wrestling competitions today, it is the arm wrestling events that attract the most attention today in the field of arm wrestling.
The events organized by East VS West are undoubtedly the most closely followed and popular at the moment.
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