For as long as there have been men on Earth, there have been manly ways of settling disputes.
When Cro-Magnon men fought over girlfriends or cave property lines, they might have clubbed each other with logs or held speed-climbing competitions to decide who was the better man and who’d have to say goodbye to Sheila, the hot cave girl.
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And when those men of yesteryear competed mano-a-mano, I tend to think they arm wrestled, too.
It’s really a matter of convenience: a good log can be hard to come by; arms, however, are always on hand. Literally.
The ancient Egyptians may also have practiced the sport. According to the Ultimate Arm Wrestling League, a depiction of arm wrestling was discovered in an Egyptian tomb dating back to about 2,000 B.C. I imagine Egyptian scribes locking hands on lunch breaks or the pharaoh offering a day off to servants who could pin his arm to the table.
These days, an arm wrestle on a kitchen counter or bar table can still resolve an argument. It’s also a simple and definitive way to decide, “this man is stronger than that man” or “this woman is stronger than that woman.” And sometimes, “this woman is stronger than that man.”
There are other ways to arbitrate, of course. But arm wrestling is more exciting than rock-paper-scissors and, unlike a game of chicken, doesn’t require one of the participants to drive his Chevy into a ditch.
It’s a pastime that turned competitive in the 20th century. In the Pine Tree State, Team Maine Armwrestling has rounded up avid arm wrestlers who travel around New England to compete. The team consists of seven to eight active “pullers” who train together and bring home trophies from competitions all over the place.
Some of those arm wrestlers will bring their well-grown biceps to Pond Town Tavern in Winthrop on Saturday for the Maine State Arm Wrestling Championships. But the event isn’t just for the heavy lifters who keep professional arm-wrestling tables in their dens. Novice arm wrestlers are also encouraged to toss their arms into the ring.
It’s a chance for men and women to test their mettle against the arms of an opponent — and maybe come away with a newfound penchant for the pull.
Most folks understand the basics of the sport, but a referee will go over the rules (keep your elbow on the table, no breaking grip with your opponent, no early starts) before the matches begin.
The event is open to all ages (younger competitors will need a legal guardian’s approval), and there are weight classes for men and women.
The matches will take place at stand-up tables, and male competitors divided by weight class (under 154 pounds, 155-176, 177-198, 199-242 and 243 and over).
And if a boost to your pride isn’t enough, trophies for first, second and third places will also be given out. It’s just a little something triumphant competitors can put on the mantle and make well-deserved reference to during dinner parties.
One of the event’s organizers, Troy Ladd, said a little tenacity goes a long way on the table. Newcomers who believe they’ve got what it takes have it half won already.
“We’ve had guys who’ve never arm wrestled who’ve done really well,” said Tina Gerdon, Ladd’s fiancee, who also helped put the Maine State Arm Wrestling Championships together. “There was an 11-year-old girl who competed. She did really well.”
Gerdon and Ladd both recommend paying attention to technique by watching more experienced arm wrestlers and paying attention to the big guys.
There’s also expected to be a benefit raffle to raise funds for Ladd, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and isn’t able to arm wrestle but still enjoys staying involved in the arm-wrestling community.
With practice, fledgling arm wrestlers will develop their own technique and could earn themselves an title.
And down the road, when debate arises, the well-trained champs can grin and suggest, “Let’s arm wrestle for it.”
Staff Writer Shannon Bryan can be contacted at 791-6333 or at:
sbryan@mainetoday.com
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