Arms wrestling is practiced by people in different parts of the world. Notably, the sport is fun and engaging for both the spectators and opponents. It involves two opponents who apply massive pressure against each other.
The winner is the one who successfully pins the opponent’s arm down. It is a measure of technique, endurance, and above all, strength. The whole body is involved in the sport. Pullers must train tremendously for the sport.
Fundamentally, strength and technique are the critical contributors to winning. Other factors that play a role are endurance, flexibility, and handgrip size. The sport is used to determine who between participants is the strongest.
Is Arm Wrestling An Olympic Sport?
Arm wrestling has never been involved in the Olympics. Not being involved in the Olympics has not stopped the organization of professional tournaments. The United States Arm wrestling organization conducted a match where the competitors were standing. Participants traveled across the world to take part in the contest.
Reasons Why Arms Wrestling Is Not Part Of The Olympics
Popularity
The sport has been organized for decades, but it is yet to be part of the Olympics. The main reason is the fact that the Olympics is an enormous event. Remarkably it involves a variety of games.
For a game to be involved in the Olympics, it has to be popular worldwide. Unfortunately, arm wrestling has not gained a large following. It requires specific training and skills which people find hectic. Prepping for the tournament requires one to gain or lose weight in certain areas.
Based on the above mantra, arms wrestling does not have a massive following like other Olympic games. Arm wrestlers hope that one day it will. For pullers to mitigate loss, they must possess utter determination during training which takes months.
Despite the effort put in, you might still encounter double-edged disappointment. The failure is because you lack a particular technique. The game is thus not everyone’s cup of tea.
Not Enough Time For All Games
Moreover, several games take part in the Olympics. There might not be adequate space and time for each sport. There are over 42 games involved in the Olympics. The games selected are the most famous worldwide. The Olympics competition are supposed to take a specific number of days.
It is better to choose sports that are known over unpopular sports. In addition to this, there is not enough time and space to accommodate all sports. Arm wrestling is thus not involved.
The International Olympic Committee
One of the reasons why arm wrestling is not involved in the Olympics is that it is not approved. A sport must be recognized and commended for it to take part in the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee does this.
After recognition by IOA, it must be approved further by the International Sports Federation status. This board lays out rules and regulations that all competitors must follow.
Selecting Sports Involved
To ensure that the games involved in the Olympics are cost-effective, the IOC has allowed host countries to select. Based on the new policies, the host organizing committees have been empowered. They are allowed to propose a new sport in the Olympics. Choose.
Arm wrestling has never been selected. Essentially, It is my hope and dream that the future will elate the spectator’s psyche. Selection is via a section of the sports by the host committee. To boost local people’s interest, they select a sport that is widely known. Unfortunately, arm wrestling is not widely known.
A Petition
Remarkably, the sport has die-hard fans who show up at the tournaments. Today, you can view arms wrestling from your television. Competitors travel across the globe to take part in the sport. People across the world are hell-bent on ensuring the sport is part of the Olympics.
Typically, for the sport to participate in the Olympics, fans are planning to sign a petition. The petition will be signed by millions of supporters all over the world.
Additionally, there is another petition that is presented explicitly by the IF. A petition is a crucial step since it is the final determinant of whether the sport will compete. There are standards set that sports must adhere to so that they can participate.
One of the rules is that men in not less than 75 countries must participate in a sport. Furthermore, it must involve women in not less than 40 countries. It is sad to say that arm wrestling is mainly perceived as a male sport by many. Accordingly, it does not meet the rules and regulations put in place by the IF.
Financial Reasons
Olympics organizers support up to 42 games each year. Additionally, they also support participants of the sports. The event is highly costly, especially after the savagery caused by the ongoing pandemic. Host countries spend billions on in Olympics.
Therefore, they prefer involving famous sports to cut costs. Consequently, it is tough for them to add a new sport such as arm wrestling which is unpopular.
Risky
Arm wrestling can be risky. Notably, there are several rules and regulations set up to govern the sport. Referees enforce them. Severe injuries can sometimes occur. The bones involved are not designed to withstand excess pressure.
A reason why it is not involved in the Olympics is it is dangerous. Injuries attained from the sport involve fractures on the upper arm. The sport is potentially dangerous, which goes against the rules and regulations set by IF.
Dropping of Wrestling
The Olympics games dropped wrestling which involves arm wrestling. Wrestling was voted out in 2013 by IOC. The sport had been facing drawbacks following the resignation of the president of the governing body.
Another reason was that not many people in the world showed talent in wrestling. Though the decision was highly criticized, the decision was final. The efforts of arm wrestling to join the Olympics may be futile.
Is arm wrestling a Professional Sport?
Represented By Various Bodies
The answer is yes. Arm wrestling is a professional sport, a sport kids from a tender age compete in. Different bodies further represent it. They include; World Armstrong Federation is globally recognized for representing arm wrestling.
Today, it comprises over 80 countries. Zurich Switzerland founded the International Federation of Arm wrestling. It organizes world championships. If arm-wrestling ever made it to the Olympics, the organizations above would offer aid in managing and assembling the pullers.
The World Wrestling League is currently found in Chicago. It is growing as each day passes. Typically, this is because of the growing number of participants and supporters.
Rules
Some rules must be adhered to during the tournaments. They ensure that the game is fair to all. They aid in solving penalty-related scenarios. Penalties occur when the elbow leaves the mat. In the case of a false start, the rules will give way forward.
Training
The athletes are headstrong and unyielding when it comes to the sport. Their gritty determination is seen because they pour out everything in them to succeed. Pullers train intensely for months before the tournaments.
Types
There are two types of arm wrestling. Arm wrestling can either be done while standing up or sitting down. Additionally, there is wrist wrestling which can also be done while sitting or standing. The sport deserves to be part of the Olympics competition.
How Arm Wrestling Can Be Involved In The Olympics
Paralympic Games
For arms wrestling to be part of the Olympics, it needs to capture people’s recognition. Incidentally, being unique aids in gaining a following. Disabled arm wrestling is likely to gain tremendous attention.
Escaping the ordinary is an excellent way to win the hearts of the masses. Paralympic involves sports where people with physical liabilities engage. Para-arm wrestling has a better chance of being recognized in the Olympics.
Based on this mantra, para-arm wrestling gives minority members of society a chance to participate. It paves the way for a brighter future for the disabled.