Arm-wrestlers go mano a mano in Mount Dora
There was an arms race in Mount Dora on Sunday — though the hands were also important, and you can’t forget the wrists.
“I’m a retired bodybuilder, and I picked up arm wrestling three years ago,” said Craig Soubliere, of Ormond Beach. “I never really trained my forearms — because you never want your forearms to be bigger than your biceps. … There are a few different strategies, like the top roll and the hook. And a lot of endurance — because you never know how many people are going to be in a tournament.”
Sunday’s tournament was part of the World Armwrestling League — one word, in that case – which was looking to crown the best “pullers” in Florida in its 50 State Championship Series in categories ranging from “Amateur/Novice” to “Open” to “Masters,” a.k.a. those 45 and up.
“I saw it on ESPN, and saw it would be in Mount Dora,” said James Tilley of Rustin, awaiting the tournament to begin. “Every guy did it when he was this big” – he mimed being a tiny kid – “with brothers and friends. It’s all about who’s toughest in the neighborhood, isn’t it?”
Dickie Spiroff of Homestead certainly gave off the impression of being the toughest — or as his shirt read, “I’m not cocky, I’m just stronger than you” — but he was also there as a supportive dad of 16-year-old Logan.
“I started when I was 16,” Spiroff said. “I
went to Japan in ’92 and won at the Worlds, but then my son starting pulling and I got back into it this year.” So what’s changed? “A lot,” Spiroff said. For one thing, the positions of the elbow pads on the tables are different, he said — staggered, instead of straight-on — and even the way people set up their hands at the beginning are different.
“You used to be able to fight for your grip,” said Frank Dias of Wellington. “Now, refs set the grip.”
Refs carefully wrapped pullers’ thumbs around each other, then folded the hands together — and sometimes, the match would be over in the blink of an eye.
“And there’s a big hit, ladies and gentlemen!” said announcer Brandon Morris. “Make some noise for Logan Spiroff!”
Coaches and/or well-wishers shouted encouragement to Logan and his opponent, Jason Revis of Fort Pierce. “Hold it! Hold it!” “Forward, Logan!” “Oh, we have a match here!” said Morris. At the end of the first round, Rivas had three fouls — fouls could include anything from false starts to the elbow leaving the elbow pad — tipping the match to Logan.
“I don’t think I fouled that last time,” Rivas said, rubbing his arm. “But it is what it is.”
Soubliere, who hosts a weekly Tuesday evening radio show, Arm Wrestling Nation, said that the WAL has become huge thanks to appearances on ESPN — not to mention prize money totaling $500,000 nationwide.
“A lot of guys are seeing it’s a real sport, with real training and real athletes,” Soubliere said. “It’s bringing a lot of guys to the game ... ex-football players, power lifters, body builders …”
“But like any sport, you have to get out there and practice.”
As the bigger guys in the higher weight classes started to get their turn, Morris was exultant with praise for one competitor.
“Only one can be the best,” Morris said. “Make some noise for Chris Chandler!”
Chandler, of Spring Hill, defeated Karl Stanley pretty quickly — “The man’s the best,” said Stanley, of Lake Wells. “The man’s powerful” — and then won a hard-fought match with Bobby Hopkins Jr. of Fort Pierce, in which the table almost flipped on its side.
“It’s not bolted down,” said Chandler. “There was probably about 600 pounds on the left and right there. It was a little too rough for the situation.”
As for Hopkins? He was playing with house money.
“This is my first time pulling since 2007,” Hopkins said with a smile and a shrug. “I’m here raw —– and I’m feeling really good.”