ESTEVAN - The first winter storm of 2024-25 couldn't stop the Man-Sask Armwrestling Challenge from happening on Nov. 16 at the Fired-Up Grill restaurant in Estevan.
Estevan Southern Impact Armwrestling Club member Desiree Da Silva, who organized the competition, said they had about 40 competitors and 75 entries. People came from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana and North Dakota for the competition.
Da Silva said they likely would have had more people competing if not for the storm. A number of people called her to cancel their participation.
Weigh-ins for the competition took place Nov. 15 and 16, and then the competition started with super matches in the early afternoon, with competition in both left and right arm.
"They took one [competitor] from Manitoba and one from Saskatchewan, and they put them against each other. They're equal calibre, years of experience and things like that. And then it's a super match, so it's a best of five … and whoever wins the best of five gets the points for the team," said Da Silva.
Ten super matches were contested. Da Silva said it was very competitive and it was good to see Saskatchewan beat their Manitoba foes.
After the super matches, the tournaments began. American competitors joined their Saskatchewan and Manitoba counterparts. Youths were up first and then adults had their turn.
"We did a double elimination. It makes it a faster tournament … and it makes for a shorter day," said Da Silva.
Among the local entrants, in the youth divisions, Scarlett Dow finished first in both the junior left and right arm, Ana Krzeminski was second and Lexton Cassin was third. Cowan Ludtke was first in senior boys' left and right, Phillip Gellner was second in boys' left and first in right, Autumn Dow was third in girls' right and second in left, Kody Tucker was first in boys' left and second in right, and Keegan Tucker was second in senior boys' left.
Da Silva was first in women's left arm and second in right arm in the 154-pounds-and-under division, and third in left 155-plus.
Dan Driedger was third for right and left arm in the men's 200-242 division, Erik Lee was second in right arm in the 177-199 class, Cowan Ludtke was second in left arm in 177-199, Cody Tucker was third in 177-199 left arm, and Brandt Schick was first for 176-and-under right arm and second in left arm.
Aaron Holmes competed in 220-242, Bryan Tucker was in 200-242, and Phillip Gellner was in 176 and less.
Driedger and Lawrence also won their bouts in the super matches.
Da Silva said she was pleased with the efforts of the local athletes at the competition, and the competitors were pleased with the location, turnout and prizes. There wasn't any negative feedback other than the weather.
She said she had some help from Sask Arm Wrestling with securing referees for the event, and she was able to purchase everything she needed locally.
"It involved me organizing the super matches and finding people to do the super matches. It also involved a lot of paperwork on my end, printing paper, getting entry fees ready, waivers, etc."
Da Silva hopes this event will further boost the profile of arm wrestling in Estevan. The previous events have usually brought in one or two new members.
The club meets Wednesdays and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. at the Flawless Sales and Services shop on Souris Avenue North.
