Top arm-wrestling competitors head to Pilot Butte in double elimination tournament

Some of Sask. top arm-wrestlers put their strength to the test in a double-elimination tournament. Damian Smith reports.

Forearms, biceps and triceps strength were put to the test on Saturday at the Broncos Pub and Grill in Pilot Butte.

Some of the top competitors in Saskatchewan made their way to compete in a double elimination arm wrestling tournament.

Included in the tournament was the youth competition (under 18 years of age), men’s open competition, as well as the amateur and women’s open competitions.

Solomon Latimer, the president of Saskatchewan Armwrestling and who was one of three referees, has seen the sport grow over the years throughout the nation.

In a competition that starts in many contestants’ family kitchens and backyards, Latimer started competing at 16 years of age. In a sport that requires hyperfocus from referees to prevent injuries, Latimer is happy to see the youth participate in important developing years.

“You want to have some experience in arm wrestling itself, because going into a ref clinic without experience is probably not the best idea to do,” he said. “I would want probably three to four years before you take your Level One just so that you know what to look for. The refs are kind of teaching you on the table as it is anyways, as your arm is wrestling, they’re telling you not to go in this spot or do this or stopping you from breaking your arm.”

Jaxon Oliver, who won the provincial arm-wrestling tournament this past July, is only six months into competing. He is one of the youths that look to continue competing going forward. A resident of Pilot Butte, Oliver goes to a club once every week to work on the craft.

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“You could be someone two times stronger than you, not three times. It just depends, the grip matters a lot,” he said. “Where you start, the smallest thing can make the biggest difference that can make you stronger than someone else.”

Oliver also competed in the men’s competition.

In high competition states, Solomon states that it’s not always the strongest arm that wins. A competitor may eliminate themselves without even realizing it.

“There’s break arm positions, like letting your hand pass your shoulder or going in a high percentage hyperextension where your shoulder goes underneath the table,” said Solomon. “There’s also the things you don’t want to be doing on the table, if you’re in the losing position and you’re not very close to the pin line, if the elbow falls right at the pin line and you’re not pinned, it’s still pretty much a loss.”

In 2024, the organization hit its 40th anniversary.