Rasslin’ on the river
Inaugural Arm Wrestling Tournament promotes competition for a cause
T wo opponents lock hands for a battle of strength and skill. For a few moments, it could go either way. Then one slams the other’s hand to the table, and the game’s over. This is the excitement of arm wrestling, a sport that many have played, but few have played seriously.
Visitors to Fourche River Days in Perryville will have a chance to try their hand at organized arm wrestling this year during the festival’s first Arm Wrestling Tournament.
“Everyone has armwrestled in their lifetime at least once,” said David Finkbeiner, who, with his father, Brad, is coordinating the tournament. “It is something everyone has done, and it brings out the competitor in all of us.”
David said he and his father have high hopes that the tournament will become an annual event at Fourche River Days. With the help of Outdoor Life Ministry in Perryville, the pair organized a preliminary arm wrestling tournament in January that drew more than 125 people, he added.
“It is an event that was not offered at Fourche River Days previously, and [organizers] are always looking for fun and entertaining events to add to the roster,” he said. “Outdoor Life Ministry and a couple of local competitors thought it would be a fun event to put on, plus it was a great way to donate to the Maddie Grace Foundation.”
The Maddie Grace Foundation began in 2014 to raise funds for Maddie Grace Windle during her cancer battle, Brad said. At that time, Fourche River Days organized the Grace Race 5K RunWalk to raise money for the foundation.
“Maddie Grace lost her battle with cancer, but our town and community continue to join the fight against cancer,” he said, adding that the race now benefits two individuals each year who are battling cancer. Now, proceeds from the tournament will benefit the foundation as well.
The tournament will take place Saturday, April 22, and prospective competitors can register at the Outdoor Life Ministry booth. Registration and weigh-ins will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the tournament will begin at 1 p.m. Finals will take place at 3 p.m. on the main stage.
Men and women can compete in left- and righthanded classes. Women’s classes will be open weight, and there will be four weight classes for men. Participants can pull one-handed for $20 or compete in both left- and right-handed classes for $30.The event is a doubleelimination tournament, so every participant will have at least two chances to compete.
“There is a growing appetite in Arkansas for arm wrestling. Arkansas is home to the No. 3 world-ranked arm wrestler — Michael Todd of Hot Springs,” David said, adding that he has trained with Todd in recent years.
“We believe this sport is going to take off in Arkansas, and there are a couple of great results from it: a growing personal awareness of fitness, diet and health; and belonging to a community of like-minded people who are the backdrop of encouragement,” David added. “Fitness and community are two powerful net results of this burgeoning sport.”
Although most successful arm wrestlers have strong tendons and forearms, David said, wrist strength is only part of being a champion wrestler. Overall strength, holding strength, technique, nutrition and, most importantly, time spent practicing are also crucial to performing well, he said.
“Don’t be nervous; the worst thing that can happen is you lose. Strength-train, find a local arm wrestling club to train with, eat healthy, hydrate well, and get plenty of rest,” he advised prospective competitors. “Remember, if you want to be good at basketball, play basketball. If you want to be good at chess, play chess. If you want to be good at arm wrestling, you need to arm-wrestle.” One-on-one competition is his favorite part of the game, he added.
“Most people are only used to team-based competition, but this is just you and your opponent called to the table,” he said. “May the strongest competitor win.”