Arm wrestling is an old sport that has been around for many centuries. Originally it was just a way to see who had the strongest arm, but now it is also used as a competitive sport with official rules and regulations.
This blog post will go over some of the more interesting facts about arm wrestling history: how it started and what countries are most well known for their ability in the sport.
Who Started Arm Wrestling and Where Was It Invented?
Arm wrestling can be traced back to 2000 BC in Egypt. It was originally used as a way to measure arm strength. Several wall paintings in numerous Egyptian caves depict scenes of arm wrestling.
The Egyptians are not the only ones who used this technique to measure strength, though. There is evidence that some Native American tribes also used an early form of competitive arm wrestling to settle disputes between villagers or simply see which man was stronger.
Mongols were one group who believed that you should be able to win any fight with your bare hands and had no need for weapons like swords or other sharp items (although they did use bows and arrows). This shows how physically strong it was for these people during the era before modern weaponry existed, so they often engaged in contests such as arm wrestling, where the strongest won bragging rights
Arm wrestling evolved into a sport with rules later on in the 18th century, when France and Germany started having competitions officially recognized by their governments. It wasn’t until the 20th century that arm wrestling became an international sport, with competitions being held in countries like Russia and Sweden.
Arm wrestling has been accepted into the Olympics as a full-fledged sport since 2000. However, it was first just recognized as a demonstration event for one summer Olympics before becoming fully sponsored by The International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In 2006 there were two different types of championships: World Championships, which took place in Moscow, and European Championships, which happened on separate days in Turku/Helsinki Finland and Orenburg Russia, respectively.
Wrist Wrestling vs. Arm Wrestling
These two sports are very similar, but there are a few key differences between the two. In arm wrestling, the goal is to pin your opponent’s hand, forearm or elbow onto the table. In wrist wrestling, it is to pin the opponent’s arm to their wrist or forearm. Also, instead of holding onto a peg, the athletes clasp their hands and the wrestling hands in wrist wrestling.
Wrist wrestling has been around for centuries, but there are not very many rules and regulations surrounding how it should be played, so some competitions can end up being more like grappling than an actual competition (in other words, sometimes they don’t use any lines).
In terms of popularity, arm wrestling is more popular in the United States and Europe. Countries like Russia, Sweden and Belarus are well-known for their capability of this sport because they have been training as wrestlers since childhood. Wrist wrestling is more popular in the Balkans, Middle East and south-east Asia.
Arm Wrestling Popularity Growing
The popularity of arm wrestling has been growing over the years. The most recent world championship had over 450 competitors from 29 different countries, all vying for the title of arm wrestling champion.
It has also been getting more popular with women over time, which wasn’t always the case. In some countries like Sweden and Norway, arm wrestling competitions are divided into two different categories: open weight (for both sexes) and lightweight (only for females).
In England, there was an organization called Women’s Arm Wrestling Association that started to offer tournaments where any woman could compete without discrimination of their size or gender, so they could show off what they had learned from everything.
Arm wrestling would not have seen such popularity if it weren’t for television broadcasts showcasing matches on TV to promote the sport.
What Countries Are Known For Their Skill In Arm Wrestling?
Russia is known for being one of the best countries at arm wrestling due to its history of cold winters, making it perfect training conditions for strong arms muscles. The United States is also good at arm wrestling because they have many professional athletes who compete internationally.
What Are Some of the Rules of Professional Arm Wrestling?
Just like the sport itself, the rules of arm wrestling have evolved. Earlier in the 20th century, there were no rules about holding your arm, and it wasn’t uncommon for people with massive arms (like a weightlifter) to use their size as an advantage by using different types of grips on opponents who have smaller hands.
Here are some of the current rules for the sport:
- The players’ shoulders have to be in square position before the match kicks off
- Players must start with at least a foot on the ground. After the match starts, they may have their feet off the ground
- A false start is always a foul
- If a player commits three fouls, they forfeit the match
- You cannot make a pin with your elbow outside the pocket
- Players cannot touch their wrestling arm with their body
- While at the tournament, players must conduct themselves in a sportsperson-like manner
- The referee’s decision is final
Who is the Best Arm Wrestler in History?
John Brzenk is the most famous arm wrestler in history. He won four world championships and was officially named the “Greatest Arm Wrestler of All Time” by the Guinness Book of Records. Brzenk was undefeated for 25 years before Alexey Voyevoda finally beat him.
Who is the Best Female Arm Wrestler in History?
There are many great female arm wrestlers in history, but the most successful is probablyGabriela Vasconcelos. She has over twenty-eight world titles to her name.
Final Thoughts
Arm Wrestling has evolved and changed a lot over the years. It has been getting more popular, and with the changing of the rules, it is now more popular with women. It is a great sport whose matches you don’t want to miss.