Posted: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 07:41 PM - 8,530 Readers

By: Greg Sabatino

The 2010 Williams Lake Stampede Arm Wrestling Tournament transformed Boitanio Mall’s lower court into a spectacle of strength, speed, technique and skill.

Around 40 competitors of all shapes, ages and sizes put their skills to the test Saturday afternoon, vying for the title of Stampede arm wrestling champion.

B.C. Arm Wrestling Association president Keith Koenig congratulated all competitors, thanking them for making the tournament a mainstay in Williams Lake during Stampede weekend for 30 consecutive years.

“I’ve seen a lot of these guys as youngsters come along here who have now become some of the best competitors in B.C. and in Canada,” Koenig said.

He said arm wrestling is rapidly gaining popularity around the world, and Canada is one of the reasons why.

“The sport is growing around the world,” he said. “It’s now in 70 countries and growing at a rapid pace. Canada is number three in the world rankings.”

After breaking down the rules to competitors, matchups began taking place.

“We’ve got competitors here from six to 60,” he said. “This is a lot of fun.”

The average length of an arm wrestling match is three seconds, providing fast-paced action for competitors and fans in attendance.

Williams Lake’s Nathan Reimer was one of the event’s big winners, taking home the title in both the right-hand, 199 pound and over category and the 177- to 198-pound right-hand class. Reimer beat out another local, Travis Storoschuk, for the 177-198 pound title, and Glen Chlivinsky in the 199 pound and over category.

Prince George competitors, who showed up with a strong contingent for the event, were also in fine form.

The Spruce Capital’s Dan Gallo took home four titles, winning the 155- to 176-pound right and left hand classes, the 177- to 198-pound left hand class and the 199 pound and over left hand class.

Prince George’s Vern Martel took home the 136- to 154-pound right hand category, while Cody Wakefield, the lone competitor in the zero- to 135-pound class, claimed the title.

Horsefly’s Mike Norquay won first place in the zero- to 154-pound left hand class.

On the ladies’ side, Williams Lake’s Kelly Nehring won the zero- to 135-pound right hand title, while Quesnel’s Veronica Lee claimed the prize in the pro ladies left hand class.

Several youngsters also gave the sport a shot, with Riske Creek’s Brodie Yanko winning the nine- to 10-year-old championship.

The 13-year-old winner was Mason Sward of Williams Lake, while Dylon Meldron won the 16- to 17-year-old title.

For girls aged nine to 11, Williams Lake’s Mikaela Lemon took first, while Amber Nyman took second.