World champ from Canada set to heat up Premier 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling 2018

KUCHING: World’s champion arm wrestler Devon ‘No Limits’ Larratt will make a special appearance at the ‘Premier 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling 2018’, to be staged at 101 Premier Commercial Centre along Jalan Tun Jugah here from Jan 19 to 20 next year.

According to Sarawak Armsport Association (Sasa), the Canadian professional arm wrestler will also conduct a seminar on the sport during the tournament.

“We aim to recommend Larratt to the tourism authorities here, for him to be an ambassador to promote Sarawak overseas.

Larratt, who is a former member of the Canadian Special Forces, is the current championship titleholder of ‘ Left and RightArm World Wrestling League’ (Heavyweight) and ‘Left Arm Wars’ ( Super Heavyweight). A native of Victoria in British Columbia, Larratt’s interest in arm wrestling began in his early teens.

In 2013, he had surgery on his right arm and elbow – forcing him to compete using his left hand only. The professional arm wrestler is reachable via Facebook, and his feats can be viewed on YouTube via ‘Devon Larratt’.

Meanwhile, Sasa president Matthew Dominic Barin said the organiser had received great response from arm wrestling enthusiasts, especially the youths, representing Sarawak, Sabah, Putrajaya, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Kedah, Pahang and Labuan, as well as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, China and Australia for this year’s event.

“Arm wrestling is another sport that we need to develop in Sarawak. This activity also will help boost tourism in Sarawak,” he said.

Sasa was formed on Jan 24 last year and registered with the Sarawak branch of Malaysia Sports Commissioner’s Office on May 6 that same year.

“Since the formation of Sasa, we have been actively running arm wrestling competitions such as 1Singai Arm Fight 1.0, the Samarahan Sejiwa Senada Challenge, Giant Samariang Challenge, Redeems Gawai Carnival ArmWrestlingChallenge, Tasik Biru Fest Challenge 2016 and 2017, Bau Bike Week 2016 Challenge and of course, our signature Premier 101 Community Club Charity Arm Wrestling 1.0 in 2016 and the 2.0 edition in 2017,” he said.

For next year, he said there would be two other major events – the Galacity International Arm Wrestling Championship 2018 in July; and the Chief Minister’s Cup Arm Wrestling Championship 2018 in November.

“All three major arm wrestling (events) offer the highest cash prizes in Asia. The Jan 1920 tournament ( Premier 101 Community Club Challenge) alone offers up to RM31,300 in cash prizes via various categories.”

On Monday, Sasa executive committeememberspaid acourtesy call on Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, where they forwarded to him the official intention to the Premier 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling 2018. For enquiries, call Matthew on 019- 8215488.